Students in Holmes H.S. welding class make popular holiday ornaments

COVINGTON, Ky. - A simple fundraising idea has turned into somewhat of a small business for a group of high school students.

The Holmes High School students are working over-time to keep up with the demand for their Christmas ornaments.

"It's pretty hard. I'm always working hard," said Welding student, Briana Phillips.

They've got nearly a dozen orders that are due by Friday.

The students say the extra work is rewarding.

"If we have to, we'll stay after school. We'll come in early. Stay during lunch. Bring them on," said Tyler Turner.    

The students from Holmes High School Chapman Career and Technical Education Center wanted to buy T-shirts for students in the welding program, but didn't have the funds.

Their teacher came up with the idea to make and then sell Christmas ornaments.

"We have a four-and-half to five foot angel and it's $30. It's wrapped in all white lights and the halo is in gold. We have the four-and-half foot stars that come in white lights or multiple lights and they're $25," said Welding teacher Terry Buckler.

The word started getting out to the community about the project and the orders started pouring in.

"My wife just fell in love with the idea, so she called and ordered it. She called me up. She says go over there and pay for this. I already ordered it and here we are," said Covington resident Karl Lietzenmayer.

The students say it makes them proud to drive around the community and see their ornaments.

They plan to turn the project into a year-round business by making ornaments for other occasions like Valentine's Day and Saint Patrick's Day.