Owen Ready is a graduating senior in the Carpentry and Cabinetmaking vocational program. (Photo courtesy Southeastern)
Owen Ready of Stoughton is recognized as a Southeastern Class of 2024 Senior in the Spotlight.
Southeastern’s Senior Spotlight honorees are chosen based on their high academic and vocational achievement. Seniors are selected from each of the nine communities Southeastern serves and are highlighted before graduation, which will be held this year on June 5.
Ready is a senior in Southeastern's Carpentry and Cabinetmaking program.
Ready chose the Carpentry and Cabinetmaking program because he was drawn to the tools, machinery and past projects displayed at the program. During his sophomore year, he was able to recreate a set of cornhole boards that he had admired during his freshman orientation.
Ready enjoyed his carpentry internship, especially because he was able to learn from skilled tradesmen who are masters of their craft in the high-end carpentry industry. Ready shares that being out in the field of carpentry firsthand has provided him with an opportunity to get a realistic glimpse of what life as a carpenter would entail. His vocational experience has allowed him to become OSHA certified, expand his knowledge and receive invaluable feedback that has helped him develop a strong work ethic and appreciation for the craft.
His favorite experience at Southeastern was working with his fellow classmates for the Norton Housing Project. During this project, he replaced decking for residents, which gave them safer walking areas and upgraded the look of the units.
After graduation, he looks forward to continuing his education at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne. There, he will work towards a bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, as well as earn his EMT, Paramedic and Fire I and II certifications. After experiencing the A.I.M. cadet program at the US Coast Guard Academy last summer, he is looking forward to attending a regimented school that is known for its hands-on learning approach, and that is designed to challenge and grow its students as future leaders. He is thankful for the carpentry skills that he has gained at Southeastern, and believes that these skills will be highly invaluable when he begins his studies on fire inspections and building regulations.
While at Southeastern, Ready was a member of the Southeastern High School National Honors Society, was on the Southeastern Varsity Lacrosse Team and Winter Lacrosse Team, had a co-op position at an award-winning high-end construction company, S.J. Overstreet Construction Co., during his junior and senior year, volunteered at Stoughton Community Center for the front garden clean-up project and St. Anthony’s Food Pantry in Stoughton, shadowed at the Stoughton Fire Department, while also enjoying snowmobiling, fishing, boating and Airsoft in his free time.
"Through trial and error, both in school and at my co-op job, I have learned that it's important to independently manage my time, be responsible, and respectful, stay organized, follow directions, ask questions, and be open-minded," Ready says.
When asked to provide advice for new students at Southeastern, Ready says, “Trust the learning and growth process, if you work hard it opens the doors to further opportunities.”
Hannah Sammut, John Guilfoil Public Relations