Iola High School senior Hunter Preston has a bright future. So bright in fact, the 18-year-old has to wear a mask to shield his face and eyes.
The profession of welding is what brought his family to Iola. And soon it will be what takes Preston away from the place he calls home.
The pipeline took Prestons uncle Danny Dunn from Oklahoma to Kansas back in the 60s. Soon the rest of his family would follow, most of whom enjoyed careers in welding. The only members of Hunters family that are not welders are his grandfather Raymond Preston and father Donald Preston, but neither of them have shied away from hard work either.
Each side of the family played a crucial role in developing Hunters work ethic.
Hunter could have went to college. In fact, he had planned on going to the University of Kansas. But something clicked the first time he picked up a welder.
My uncle was always on the road, Hunter said. He is actually a foreman for a pipeline. He started me off welding when I was probably 10-years-old. We started building small things and hes always helped me out. I have just always had a (welding) rod in my hand. As soon as I heard that LaHarpe was opening up a technological center, I wanted to put my foot in the door.
The Regional Rural Technology Center allowed Hunter to practice what he was most passionate about, where he studied two years through the Neosho County Welding Institute.
It has opened up the door for a lot students in this area, he said. I have five friends that just left for the Missouri Welding Institute so they can get pre-certified in Missouri and they can go on their own road crew. It is opening up a lot of opportunities for students than their used to be.
By finishing up his projects early, and not having to worry about costs of supplies, the center has allowed Hunter to get creative.
Welding has always been a passion for me. I would do it even if I didnt get paid. I love it, Hunter said. I get creative all the time. I am always building just random things out at LaHarpe. I always have a lot of free time out there. I finish my projects a week early and just build a lot of stuff. All the stuff out there is free for us because of the high school. So you can use as much metal and rod out there all day long. It has helped out a lot.
Hunters first stop will be working in Humboldt so he can save up for a welding rig.
I am just starting off at B&W (Trailer Hitches.) I will be working full-time up there, he said. Then I have to go in sometime to Chanute (Manufacturing) and take my welding test so I can get pre-certified in Oklahoma and Missouri, so I can go in and work on their pipeline. So it will start off pretty good.
Hunter said that most high school students do not understand the opportunities welding presents.
Most kids dont understand welding jobs, he said. They just think youre on a road crew and youre not going to make very much. We will be starting off around $45 an hour with a $150 per day per diem. And just being 18 and bringing home that kind of paycheck every week is going to be something a little bit new.
Working on the road crew and gaining experience will lead to better opportunities.
