OHTS Alumna on her career path

Ashley Richardson, one of our OHTS/OHCHS alumni following the career path at CMCC Brewster Burns photo

PARIS — Ashley Richardson’s performance as a senior in high school at OHCHS is impressive. She was part of a team of students who built a house from start to finish in her Construction Workers class. In addition, she captained her soccer team and was a key contributor to the 2022 state championship basketball team. Finally, she led Track and achieved high academic honors. Remarkably, she did all these things with a big smile, the same smile she shared with everyone. “Her smile and her leadership are what I remember most,” explains construction instructor Dan Daniels. “She could lead a team of students on the coldest day, perform the most demanding physical labor and be a role model of hard work with a smile to everyone around her. She is someone everyone enjoyed being around, and at the end of the day you looked around to see how much had been accomplished. She understood leading from within and because of that she will one day own her own successful company.”

Running her own business is exactly what Ashley is preparing for. After graduating from Oxford Hills, she is currently a sophomore in the Building Trades Tech program at Central Maine Community College. I had the pleasure of talking to Ashley about her plans for the future. This is what she said: “The next five years I have
I want to finish my studies, work in the field to gain experience, intern in different areas, get my real estate license and eventually own my own business, both flipping houses and building new houses.”

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she added: “I’m in year three of an eight-year plan and my journey so far is exactly what I wanted and needed. Mine
Deciding to attend Building Trades in high school was the best decision I could have made. It might have meant showing up to soccer practice in steel-toed boots, but it also meant taking a risk, doing what I wanted to do, and excelling at it. I really value my time in Oxford Hills and my involvement in building a home from the
grind; but it goes far beyond the home. What people don’t always realize is that when you build something with your peers, you really learn everything about the other person, their background, strengths and weaknesses. When you combine that with your background, strengths and weaknesses, you start to develop into a family team. I learned a lot of hard skills from my instructors, but I also learned a lot about myself and how I work with others through our conversations at lunch or when Mr. Stevens and Daniels took us all out to dinner.

Ashley is quick to acknowledge the foundation and support she has had in life, as evidenced by her explanation of how she developed such excellent work habits. “I think I got the initial spark for building from my parents. We grew up in a large farmhouse and much of our time was spent renovating it room by room. Having my parents own their own business also gave me insight into what it takes to run a business and the pros and cons of doing so. I also had great friends and experiences at school. I loved the pep rallies and there is nothing better than playing in a playoff game and seeing the entire community behind you. Oxford Hills is a special place, so many people support the school to support students.”

Ashley’s path has taken her to CMCC, where she has benefited from the Maine Tuition program and expanded her knowledge base and skills. “CM was great. I have
I have expanded my knowledge with matters such as: location research, writing cost estimates, reading blueprints, integrating location management and other actions into the home construction process. I was certainly prepared, but CM taught us all a lot. It has definitely expanded my skillset and I feel so much better prepared for my future.
As Ashley continues her path to success, she has some great advice for all of us, especially OHCHS students: “For all students, I would say do both…Do both
school and sports, do a Tech program as well as academics, do both university and work. You don’t have to settle for just one choice. The advice I would give especially for girls is don’t be afraid to do something non-traditional, and don’t let other people tell you you can’t do it. You will find a path that is meaningful and that you thoroughly enjoy.” Indeed, Ashley did both, and with a smile.

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