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1938 - Supervisors award construction contract for jail at Wayside Farms in Castaic (later called Pitchess Detention Center) [story]
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| Monday, Jul 6, 2015
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Saugus High School wood shop teacher Leonard Friedman has won the Stiles machinery contest entitled, “What will your teacher do to win a free woodworking machine.”

Friedman allowed students to shave his beard and moustache, which had not been shaved in more than 30 years.

“When an opportunity is presented by industry to support education (such as Stiles Machinery), one must step up to the plate and take a shot at it,” Friedman said. “Fortunately, I won, but the students are the real winners because they have a new machine for them to work with.”

The contest was part of Stiles Machinery’s 50th Anniversary celebration. Students were encouraged to create a video, upload it to You Tube and have as many people share it and like it as possible. The entries would then be judged by a panel of judges from Stiles Machinery. The criteria was creativity, popularity and a demonstrated need.

Friedman’s video has over 800 views and over 200 likes on You Tube.

“They say “Luck” is 95 percent hard work and 5 percent knowing when opportunity knocks,” Friedman said. “We work hard at Saugus and my students were willing take that extra step to shoot and create a video that won.”

The Saugus High School wood shop will now get a brand new Stiles machine valued at over $10,000. The possible machines would be an Ironwood joiner, an Ironwood cutoff saw, or an Ironwood shaper. Friedman stated in the video he would like to get a new 12-inch joiner.

 

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26 Comments

  1. I buy my cutting boards ONLY from Saugus High woodshop students every year at the boutique fantastique!

  2. Hey Malka Katz Friedman!!!

  3. Awesome. Saw the video several months ago happy they won

  4. I was wondering why everyone was texting me today. Way to go to my incredible husband

  5. David Ross says:

    That is Great!!!

  6. That’s is awesome, Malka Katz Friedman!

  7. Awesome!!!! I love teachers who genuinely care =)

  8. Woo hoo! Congratulations Leonard!

  9. Congratulations to Leonard on winning a new joiner for his classroom! What a teacher will do for his students…awesome!

  10. Amazing teacher way to go Leonard

  11. Very cool man good job.you are a cool teacher……..

  12. Congrats Leonard! You are a great teacher, and person!!

  13. Hunter wasn’t he your teacher?

  14. Lisa Woodward says:

    Great news! We need to keep programs like this in our schools and up to date with the latest technology. Thank you Mr. Friedman for all you do. Keep up the great work!

  15. Kara took wood and made several of those cutting boards that will be sold and I was lucky to get one from her, love it

  16. Jim Oge Jr says:

    That guy was my wood shop teacher in 88

  17. Jayme Allsman says:

    Leonard, you are amazing. You have gone above and beyond for your students. Great job.

  18. fp says:

    Its a jointer not joiner.

  19. Nick Ventura says:

    Mr. Friedman is one of my all time favorite teachers. He taught me so much. I was even fortunate enough to receive an Industrial Arts award when I was a Sophomore. Way to go! HE IS THE DEFINITION OF AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER.

  20. Nick Ventura says:

    Mr. Friedman is one of my all time favorite teachers. He taught me so much. I was even fortunate enough to receive an Industrial Arts award when I was a Sophomore. Way to go! HE IS THE DEFINITION OF AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER.

  21. Max Mindel says:

    I went to high school with Leonard Friedman and I have to say, that now he looks the way he did when he was 17! Leonard you look great! Nice job and congratulations on a great execution and on winning the new jointer.

  22. Lori Hoffman says:

    Dear Mr. Friedman,
    Your name was referred to me by ladies from Temple Beth Ami. My name is Lori Hoffman and I am from Congregation Beth Shalom. We are having a fundraiser on Saturday night December 2, 2017 and was wondering if you would like to sell your cutting boards. Please contact me at 818 269 2151. Thank you. Sincerely,
    Lori Hoffman, Ways and Means/Sisterhood.
    PS: Loved your video on cutting your beard.

Leave a Comment


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