Freshman Caleb Wortham donates 3D printer to James Clemens

MADISON – James Clemens High School students can pursue high-tech designs with 21st-Century technology using a high-performance 3D printer that freshman Caleb Wortham donated.

Last year, Stratasys Dimension Elite 3D gave the printer to Wortham after learning about his production of face shields to area medical facilities. Wortham previously had used a simpler 3D printer at home.

Wortham produced 300-plus face shields for ER doctors at Madison and Huntsville hospitals, Huntsville Hospital obstetrics-gynecology unit, ECT Unit at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Integrity Family Medicine, American Red Cross for hurricane victims in South Alabama, two dentists’ offices and a Brooklyn, N.Y. hospital. He also made ear savers and door openers.

“I stopped because I had to get back to making cookie cutters for my brother’s bakery. That’s my main job with the 3D printing business,” Wortham said. Stratasys had told Wortham to donate the printer to a university or other organization when he no longer needed it.

“I thought I’d give it to my school, James Clemens, which could make better use of it,” he said. Dr. Brian Clayton, James Clemens Principal, thanked Caleb for the printer and said the equipment will be useful for technical learning.

“James Clemens students can use the 3D printer to make prototypes or scale models or even use it to serve the community. I would think engineering or additive manufacturing or trade classes would benefit most from it. Art students could benefit, too,” Wortham said.

Wortham learned to use the 3D printer with Niki Werkheiser, a NASA engineer. “She was the team lead that first took a 3D printer into space,” he said.

“I’m interested in 3D printing, art and architecture, music and video game design,” Wortham said. “As a business owner, I 3D-print the cookie cutters for my brother’s bakery, Peaceful Pastries and Sweets. I teach clarinet lessons to beginning and intermediate students.”

At James Clemens, Wortham performs with the jazz, symphonic and marching bands. “I play clarinet and love jazz the most. I also play cello in Madison City Youth Orchestra and serve as a student intern,” he said.

Caleb has six brothers: Bless, 29, a minister in Ghana, Africa; Zachary, 26, an accountant with Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Jacob, 25, cybersecurity engineer with SAIC; Isaiah, 21; Joshua, 16; and Benjamin, 13. Joshua and Benjamin attend James Clemens and Liberty Middle School, respectively.

Caleb’s parents are William and Rebecca Wortham. “We’re grateful Caleb thought to donate it to Madison City Schools. Our children love James Clemens and Liberty Middle. We just love this system,” Rebecca said.