Over 40 students from L.P. Card helped homeowner Elwin Tilley, center, get her house in top shape during the district's annual Seniors Helping Seniors Day.

 It may have only taken a few hours and a few hundred seniors to complete all the houses on Lupe Garza's list, but Pasadena definitely wasn't rebuilt in a day. 
  In fact, it started five months ago in January. 
  For L.P. Card construction teacher Lupe Garza, finally reaching the 100-home mark for this year's Seniors Helping Seniors project meant months of proper preparation both inside and outside the classroom. 
  "Before the actual day when all of the seniors from the district high schools come out and re-paint the houses, my students and I have to assess the houses," Garza said. "We use our class time and prep the homes that way they get to apply what they learned in class to actual homes."
  From replacing and leveling broken windows, to repaneling the sides of a garage the students in Garza's class are making an impact not only on their college resumes, but also in the lives of homeowners. 
  And Elwin Tilley was one of the lucky ones.
  "I have been here in this house about 40 years," Tilley said."You just don't hear about things like this anymore. It is just so nice, I can't believe it."
  Thanks to the handiwork of the L.P. Card students, Tilley would soon be the proud owner of a freshly painted house and new garden-something she plans on spending a lot of time in.
  "This is only my second year doing the project," Garza said. "But having these students and teachers come together like never before has really made it a great experience for all of us."
  Looks like the countless hours of working in the blistering sun, turned out to be a ray of sunshine in these homeowner's lives.  

L.P. Card's Angel Garcia and Jodie Williams tackle the weeds and replant a new flower bed.

Jasmine Coronado scrapes off old paint and preps it for a fresh new coat.


The L.P. yard crew stands outside the freshly renovated home. 


For Pasadena High's Nelson Comedera, the roof is no limit for a little handiwork.


Under Pasadena High's Laura Ruiz's careful eye, no spot goes unpainted. 


The all-girl Pasadena High paint crew mixes up some color for a front door makeover.


Thankfully Memorial High senior Zach Lewis is not afraid of heights as he puts the finishing touches on the home's panels.


It may be 100 degrees outdoors, but Memorial seniors Taylor Rankin and Yvette Isidori stay cool and collected as they touch up some trim.


Teammates Tyler Schoonover, Tommy Lee and Shaquille Cyril take a quick break to muscle out a few smiles.


With brushes in hand, South Houston High's Gabriel Rodriguez and Jose Jimenez get ready to refurbish a door.  


South Houston High's Francisca Morales and Joselyn Gonzalez are double duty gardeners and painters. 


These South Houston senior girls make painting a group effort. 


Jalaluddin Muhammad and Maria Pacheco, both Rayburn seniors, prove it takes two for a window redo.

Rayburn's culinary arts teacher Veronica Saldana joins in on the day's work. 


Keeping the Rayburn team motivated, David Nunez shows off the groups motto for the day: "Do Work."


Dobie paint leaders Briana Pringle and Diamond Walker don't let a few smudges get in their way of producing a flawless product.


Dobie senior Dominique Lewis touches up the last piece of trim. 


Longhorns are giddy and green as they wrap up a successful day of painting and priming.