Union Pines High School's house project has won first place in the Moore County Schools Home of the Year competition, and three of the school's students have received job offers as a result of their work on the house.

Each year, Pinecrest High, Union Pines High and North Moore High architectural drafting and construction technology students construct a home to provide the students with practical, hands-on experience in the world of construction.

The students work on the projects throughout the year, and, upon completion in the spring, the homes are auctioned to the highest bidder. These funds are then used to continue future projects.

The Moore County Home Builders Association (MCHBA) sponsors the Home of the Year Competition - Battle of the Schools each year. Serving as judges this year were J.D. Huff, of McDonald Brothers; Sue Reaves, of Bill Reaves Construction; Andy Robertson, of Sandhills Ceramic Tile; John Pandich, of Pandich Construction Co.; and Dallas Morgan, Pinehurst building inspector.

Some of the criteria for judging include presentation of package, appearance, craftsmanship, custom features, creativity and overall quality.

North Moore High took second, and Pinecrest High was third. Prize sponsors for the competition are McDonald Brothers Inc., Builders FirstSource and Lowe's, which provide store purchase credits.

Scholarships are also awarded by the MCHBA. James Cheek, Arthur Atkins and George Blackwell, all of Union Pines High, received $1,500 scholarships.

Union Pines High students Nicholas Brown, Jonathan Parrish and Jordan McBryde received $500 Award of Honor Scholarships.

Cheek was also the recipient of the Clendenin Award, named for "the father of vocational education in Moore County," Albert Clendenin Jr.

"All of you should be very proud of the work you have done with these young adults," said Clayton Evans, Scholarship Committee chairman for the MCHBA.

Odell Brady is the instructor for construction technology class at Union Pines, and Matt Ragsdale is the school's architectural drafting instructor.