Most people can agree that high school is an impactful time in a young person’s life. For better or for worse, the years spent as a high school student serve as the building blocks for your future as an adult. Well, in Senior Superintendent Robert Foster’s case, those building blocks laid the foundation for a lifelong career in construction. From developing his love for construction in the classrooms of the original Procter Hug High School, Foster is now in the final weeks of constructing the brand new $160 million Procter Hug High School campus.
Developing the Love of Construction
Senior Superintendent Robert Foster graduated from Procter Hug High School in 1984. As a student, he struggled to enjoy many of his classes, until he discovered the school offered a Career Technical Education (CTE) Building Trades class. This class was offered to juniors and seniors and afforded the students the opportunity to learn about different construction trades while working hands-on to construct a house off-campus.
Little did he know at the time, but this class and its instructor, Jerry Krall, played a key role in guiding Foster down his future path. Foster recalled advice given to him during his time in the CTE program by Krall, which has helped him both personally and professionally.
“Jerry told me, ‘If you want to be somebody, you have to do it for yourself. Nobody can do it for you,’” said Foster. “I used this advice as motivation to help me succeed for the rest of my life.”
Shortly after graduating from Procter Hug High School, Foster began his career with Clark/Sullivan Construction as a Carpenter and has since developed a reputation for leading high-quality and high-performance construction teams on projects throughout northern Nevada.
Continuing the Legacy
In 2017 (30+ years into Foster’s construction career), Clark/Sullivan was awarded the contract to construct the brand new, state-of-the-art Procter Hug High School campus, for Washoe County School District (WCSD). It was no question who should lead the field team on this legacy project. Foster was ready to bring new life to his alma mater.
“I never thought in a million years I would be a part of an outstanding team to build the NEW Procter Hug High School,” said Foster. “I still have to pinch myself every now and then because this is a dream come true.”
Foster is also excited for the students to experience all that this new campus has to offer.
“I know they will love it!” said Foster. “It’s a brand-new campus with state-of-the-art features. It feels more like a college campus than a high school campus and was designed to be more collaborative with group rooms and learning stair area. The school has great views overlooking the Truckee Meadows and they are going to love it!”
As an Alumni, Foster is also excited about the Procter Hug High School legacy continuing with this new campus.
“The new campus will carry all of the history and tradition of the old campus as well as starting a new beginning to build on.”
The Impact of CTE
Robert Foster is just one of many success stories that result from inspiring students with CTE education programs.
“I am very proud to be a CTE product of the WCSD,” said Foster. “It has led to a 36-year career and it all started with the CTE class I took in high school. I think the WCSD should add to their motto. Every child by name and face to graduation ‘and beyond,’ because a good K-12 education is just the beginning. It just lays the foundation for kids to build on for the rest of their lives.”
The new Procter Hug High School campus features CTE spaces including, culinary arts, welding and robotics, which will ensure students are afforded the opportunity to gain exposure to career-centric curriculum that could potentially guide them down the path towards their future, just like it did in Foster’s case. Thanks to the impact of his experience as a Hug High School Hawk in the CTE program, Senior Superintendent Robert Foster’s love of construction will live on in the halls of this new legacy high school campus.
