Top 10 senior David Machon is often missing from the Boothbay Region High School classrooms these days, but can be found at Knickerbocker Group where he is in a work-study internship learning about architecture and design.

“I've been able to help on projects,” Machon said. “I take the 2-D version of designs people have done and create 3-D CAD (computer aided design) models to give a visual interpretation to the client.”

Machon first became interested in architecture at a young age, drawing floor plans for houses for fun. As he got older, he learned more on his own, and has progressed to creating scale models out of foam core board and using the computer programs at Knickerbocker.

“Everywhere are things that inspire me,” Machon said. “I can look at building and think about how they could be improved, such as right here in the high school. An addition got put on in 1996, and I know how hard it is to add onto a building, but it's not as efficient in design or energy as it could be.”

In the fall, Machon is heading to the Wentworth Institute of Technology to continue his studies architecture, but has already learned a lot from his work-study and mentor, civil engineer at Knickerbocker Danielle Betts.

“She is the only civil engineer there, so is involved in pretty much everything, including the country club and Clifford playground designs,” Machon said. “She does a lot of great work and what she does makes me consider pursing civil engineering.”

Machon is the son of Robert Ames and Sharon Machon-Ames. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Ad Hoc NEASC Accreditation Council. He is the senior class treasurer and a member of the math team. In his junior and seniors years, he has been softball team manager and had been on the cross country and Nordic skiing teams the past three years. As a freshman he was also on the tennis team.

Machon owns his own lawn care business, which includes mowing and landscaping along with lawnmower repairs. He also works at the First National Bank in Boothbay Harbor. He will continue both jobs until the fall when he heads off to college in Boston.

In his spare time he volunteers with the ECHO Community Service Group, at the American Legion breakfasts, and with the community band.