Students in the Collision Repair program at the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center CCCTC recently put their skills to work on a meaningful community project, prepping and painting a trailer for Uplifting Outdoors, a local nonprofit organization founded by CJ Coudriet.

Under the guidance of their instructor, students carefully prepared the trailer by sanding, cleaning, and priming the surface before applying a fresh, professional grade paint finish. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality transformed the trailer, giving it a like new appearance and ensuring it will serve the organization well for years to come. Although not pictured, senior students in the program also played an important role in completing this project.

CJ Coudriet, a 10th grade student from Philipsburg, PA, was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma just weeks before his 13th birthday in June of 2023. After more than a year of intensive treatment, including 43 weeks of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, CJ found strength and hope through outdoor experiences made possible by others. From fishing trips to hunting excursions, these opportunities gave him something to look forward to during his fight.

Inspired by those experiences, CJ founded Uplifting Outdoors, a 501 c 3 organization established in July of 2025. The organization is dedicated to providing life changing hunting experiences for children with life altering illnesses or disabilities, as well as combat wounded veterans, promoting healing, hope, and connection through the outdoors.

As the organization has grown, so has the need for equipment and transportation. The trailer will be used to store supplies and transport materials to events, allowing the group to operate more efficiently. A portion of the paint for the project was generously donated by Thompson’s Expert Collision in Philipsburg, and Action Graphics will be adding custom logos to complete the trailer.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of CCCTC students, the trailer now looks brand new and is ready to support the continued growth of Uplifting Outdoors. This project not only showcased the students’ technical skills, but also highlighted their willingness to give back and make a difference in their community.

Students in photo, left to right: Gracie Taylor, Philipsburg-Osceola; Bradley Peters, Philipsburg-Osceola; Jayden Emala, Philipsburg-Osceola; Colton Spaid, Philipsburg-Osceola; and Memphis Twoey, Philipsburg-Osceola.