WHILE STUDENTS prepare for traditional exams, two dedicated instructors work on an ambitious project that blends industrial trade craft with school pride. Mr. Murillo, a welding teacher, and Mr. Masimer, a woodworking teacher, have joined forces to build a lance for the alumni room armor set.

The build was inspired by a noticeable gap in the mascot’s gear. When asked what motivated him to build the lance, Murillo pointed out a detail many had overlooked. “We don’t have a lance on a Lancer. That’s a sword,” Murillo said.

Murillo says he also thought it would be a fun side project to work on alongside his regular coursework. An original metal suit of armor has graced the school grounds for decades, but it predates the current faculty. Murillo confirmed that the statue was already on campus when he attended Granger as a student in the ‘80s. “The armor statue was a gift to the school in 1970,” Murillo said.

Because the historical display has lacked a matching lance for so long, crafting this missing weapon helps complete the full ensemble for the alumni room.

To complete the update, Murillo is taking point on the metalwork by cutting, shaping, and welding steel plates to form the lance head. Precision welding techniques ensure the steel components fit together seamlessly and create a polished, durable finish.

Murillo says he relies on these advanced techniques to ensure the steel plates fit tightly and resist wear over time. He noted that airtight, clean welds are essential because a single crack could compromise the weapon’s structural integrity, contributing to the project’s extended timeline.

Meanwhile, Masimer applies his woodworking mastery to craft the lance shaft, turning hardwood on a lathe to achieve proper balance, durability, and a striking aesthetic that complements the metal. Masimer carefully tapers the wooden section on the lathe so it balances cleanly alongside Murillo’s heavy steel plating.

Murillo discussed painting the lance once he and Masimer finish construction and polish the metal. He is considering a ring-patterned design in red, gray, and blue wrapping around the lance’s longer section, while keeping the handle simpler or unpainted to highlight the natural shine of the polished material.

Beyond creating an impressive display, both teachers view the project as a live learning demonstration. Students in both shop classes get a front-row look at custom fabrication as their instructors measure materials, troubleshoot fit issues, and join different media together. Watching woodwork and metalwork unite in a single custom craft offers students a hands-on look at school history in the making.

With the shop floors buzzing with activity, teachers expect to place the new lance alongside the alumni suit of armor soon.