Though his first carpentry project, a chess board with gaps around the edges, was imperfect, Nathan Doughty, 18, of Sebago loved working with his hands from that first ninth-grade shop class.

Doughty has come a long way since then. After graduating from Lake Region High School on Sunday, having completed the two-year construction technology program at the Lake Region Vocational Center, he will represent Maine at a cabinetmaking competition at the National Leadership and Skills Conference organized by Skills USA in Kansas. He will compete against a representative from each of the 50 states.

“I really like working with my hands,” Doughty said. “I could never sit behind a desk. That would drive me crazy.”

In the fall, Doughty plans to enter a two-year program in electrical construction at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle. “It was the farthest one away from home still being in Maine,” Doughty joked, adding that he also looked forward to cross-country skiing, hunting and fishing in northern Maine.

Doughty recently received the varsity sportsmanship award, a $1,500 scholarship from the 16th Maine Masonic District and the vocational center Student of the Year award. Dave Leddy, faculty member in the construction technology program, said Student of the Month and Student of the Year are not awarded solely on the basis of student performance. “It’s not so much their ability but their overall presence,” Leddy said.

Leddy said Doughty is a skilled carpenter who learns from his mistakes, and he has other positive qualities as well. “He’s got a great personality,” Leddy said. “He’s happy. He’s confident. I trust him.”

At the Maine cabinetmaking competition, Doughty was given a plan, materials, and eight hours to complete an open cabinet with one shelf and two cubbies. He was evaluated on how he worked in the shop, as well as on the final product. Out of six students, Doughty finished second, one point behind the winner. When that student decided not to travel to the nationals in Kansas, Doughty got the opportunity to take his place.

Before going to the competition, Doughty will take a trip to Ireland for nine days with his two older sisters. “My sisters have really helped me become the person I am today,” Doughty said. In addition to his parents, his sisters are his role models, Doughty said, adding that they were always there to support and entertain him.

He grew up a quiet boy, Doughty said, who was more likely to sit back and watch everyone and laugh. Leddy said he has seen Doughty come out of his shell in the past two years, and Doughty said he is known in school for his smile.

Doughty started the construction program at the vocational center as a junior. For the past two years he spent half of each school day in academic classes at the high school and the other half at the vocational center.

The vocational center offers programs in automotive technology, business education, business office technology, construction technology, culinary arts, drafting and design, diversified occupations, and health occupations. Leddy, who has been teaching at the vocational center for 15 years, said the center provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in trades and service, and the program can catch students when they start to fall through the cracks.

“Once they feel some success, I think that changes a kid,” Leddy said.

During his first year he built a bench for fly-tying, which he still keeps in his room and uses to create his own flies for fishing. He gives away many of his creations to family.

“I like it a lot because it’s hands on,” Doughty said.

Besides working with his hands, Doughty stayed active during his high school years with soccer, cross-country skiing, and track and field. He also enjoyed and excelled in science. Lake Region High School instructor Ali Stafford, who taught his college physics class this year, said, “I can’t say enough good things about him,” adding that Doughty is intelligent and has an unique way of approaching problems. “He really engages himself, and you can see that,” Stafford said.

Nathan Doughty of Sebago shows off a cabinet he built while a student at the Lake Region Vocational Center.Nathan Doughty, 18, of Sebago will represent Maine at a cabinetmaking competition at the National Leadership and Skills Conference organized by Skills USA in Kansas.