June 21, 1986
If you admire the cabinetry in a recently remodeled kitchen within the Sacramento area, there’s a strong chance it was crafted by a former student of Tim Thrailkill.
For 18 years, Tim Thrailkill, a dedicated “wood technology” instructor at Rio Linda Senior High School, has been a cornerstone of the community. His impact is evident in the numerous former students who have successfully entered the cabinet-making and woodworking industries. Thrailkill maintains contact with approximately 30 of his former students, a testament to the lasting connections he fosters.
His former students have achieved remarkable success: some own thriving cabinet shops, others earn competitive wages at milling companies, and many have become skilled general contractors, carpenters, and industrial arts teachers. Notably, at least eight current students have secured summer jobs in local cabinet shops, thanks to Thrailkill’s connections and reputation.
The success of Thrailkill’s program is no surprise to his students. A prominent, hand-printed poster in the school’s workshop proudly proclaims, “Rio Linda Senior High School Presents Cabinet Makers of the Future.”
“They’re highly skilled,” Thrailkill explains. “We do everything in here, from small projects to boats.”
Wayne Delnero, a 1978 Rio Linda graduate and current owner of Delnero Wood Products, credits Thrailkill with launching his career. Delnero now frequently hires Thrailkill’s students, recognizing their practical skills and industry knowledge.
“They know how to use the tools,” Delnero says. “He visits local shops to understand our methods and incorporates that into his teaching. His students aren’t just making simple projects; they’re working with air tools and the equipment found in commercial shops.”
Thrailkill’s dedication and effectiveness earned him the California Industrial Education Association’s “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” award in 1986. Thrailkill humbly attributes his success to “getting lucky,” but his students know his achievements are well-deserved.
Thrailkill’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. A glass case in his office displays a symbolic golden hammer and plaques honoring outstanding students. He also presents special plaques to top woodworkers in each grade level each term.
He ensures his students’ work gains recognition by entering local, state, and national competitions. His students have consistently won awards at the California State Fair and competitions sponsored by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).
“I always tell my students that the only limits in the woodshop are their budget and their imagination,” Thrailkill says. “In woodworking, the sky’s the limit.”
The high-quality work produced by Thrailkill’s students is widely appreciated within the Grant Joint Union High School District and the broader community. Students have crafted office furniture for the district and other schools, fulfilled special orders for the park and recreation district and library, and even built hundreds of wooden crosses for veterans’ cemeteries. Following winter storms, they also provided new kitchen cabinets for a family impacted by flooding.
One of their most visible projects is the schoolhouse in Old Sacramento, where they built the desks.
(Rio Linda Online has recently learned that the schoolhouse in Old Sacramento will be torn down and replaced with a playground on the Sacramento River waterfront.)
Rio Linda High School Principal Dick Nelson praises Thrailkill’s dedication and skill. “He’s not only a superior craftsman but a human being who can bring out the best in his students,” Nelson says.
In addition to being named California’s Teacher of the Year by VICA, Thrailkill received a gold medal as the Central Region adviser of the year.
“Students come and students go,” Nelson concludes, “but Tim is a constant. Rio Linda High School consistently produces gold medal cabinet winners in the state of California.”
(The original article was written by Jack Mackey and published in the Sacramento Bee on June 21st, 1986. The photo is credited to Suzie Post. It is republished here for historical research purposes.)
