I grew up around people welding and using their hands. My dad was a welder. Now head of tooling at supersteel LLC. One of my uncles was a steamfitter, now working with a contractor still steamfitting. My other uncle was a stem fitter who retired early but still helps at the union when needed. My cousin went into stem fitting these past years and is now a 3rd year apprentice making $20 or more at a brewery with a contractor. My brother went into his steamfitting as an apprentice, he is now a 1st year apprentice still working at the union making $15 an hour. My grandpa went into stem fitting when it first gained popularity in Milwaukee. He worked at miller brewery being one of the best in his group, and he still showed his love for welding going to meetings and events at the union until recently, when they found intestinal cancer. 

I’ve always had someone to talk to outside my household, someone I knew would listen but also somebody that's been an influence on my high school career. I’ve always knew I wanted to take up welding as a career and follow in my family's footsteps, but I can’t always rely on the people who will always say I’m doing the right thing or a good job. 

Mr. Christian really helped shape my highschool career with his honesty, he wants me to succeed so he pushes me and when he really sees talent in someone he is even harder on them. So you can be ready for the future. He makes his class enjoyable by having conversations with you about your home life and everyday things. 

Mr. Christian made me realize if I wanted to be successful that I would need to apply myself and work hard, he told me that as long as I put in my best effort and tried my hardest that it didn’t matter what my grades looked like, as long as I trying. 

Before junior year I was failing a lot of my classes and I didn’t know what I wanted to be in the future. When I talked to Mr. Christian, it  wasn’t like I was talking to a teacher instead he was like a friend, helping guide me through school, and this journey we call life. Mr. Christian showed me that you don’t have to be the smartest to do something that's enjoyable to you. 

He always tries to crack jokes and no matter who you are, he will always give u a glare and a smile if he sees you're unhappy. He is so selfless, going out of his way to make others happy, not caring what people think. He puts in all his effort to make sure your succeeding now and in the future. 

Mr. Christian has helped me overcome challenges both in school and out of school and for that I would like to show my appreciation to him. Thank you Anthony Christian for everything you’ve done to help me succeed as a student and as a person.