John Contreras/submitted Our House trainees Jason White (left) Brian Starcher paddle their cardboard boat to a first place victory in the Howard County Boat Float, held June 9 in Columbia.

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The trainees from Brookeville-based Our House residential job training program learned lessons of a different sort, as they won first place in the Howard County Boat Float in Columbia June 9.

Boats had to be made of cardboard. Our House Executive Director Richard “Benny” Bienvenue said the young men designed and built their vessel themselves.

“It took them over a month to collect cardboard, design it using real mathematical formulas so it would displace the correct amount of water, then build it,” he said. “Every time I walked into the shop, I smiled when I saw them building it, and thought, ‘Boy, that's going to sink in three minutes!’ Well I was sure wrong.”

The Our House crew also won the Ugly Ducking award, awarded to the ugliest cardboard creation.

Our House is a residential job training program for at-risk young men ages 16 to 20. The program provides them with job skills and an academic education to obtain their high school GED.

Our House is hosting its second annual fundraiser gala from 7 to 10:30 p.m. June 29 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The evening will include live and silent auctions, special guest appearances, live music, food, drinks and more. Minimum donation of $125 suggested. For reservations, information and sponsorship contact 202-731-8566 or ourhousegala@lycos.com.