Wrangell Sentinel -

One thing Ethan Blatchley did not want to do for another four years was sit at a desk to earn a degree.

A recent trip to Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyoming, reaffirmed the graduating high school senior’s choice to pursue a welding certificate, finishing up in six months.

Since he started learning how to weld in shop class last year, Blatchley has been following the academy’s social media posts. He shared them with shop teacher Winston Davies, who was inspired to pursue his own certificate.

“(The academy has) a huge social media presence. They’re really good about marketin...