When he steps on the pitcher’s mound, there’s no shortage of confidence for Stryder Pritchett as he prepares to try and strike out opposing hitters while playing baseball for the Stilwell Indians. And after his first season in the welding program at Indian Capital Technology Center, the Stilwell High School junior has already achieved a similar level of talent and readiness for any assignment.
“There are a lot of similarities between baseball and welding. What pitch I’ll throw is based off the tendencies of the opposing batter while in welding, you make the judgment call based off your materials or the position I’m having to weld it in.”
The two-year welding program at ICTC empowers students with the abilities to design, engineer and build unique products to designed specifications by using math and critical thinking skills.
“This is hands-on training where the kids spend more than 80 percent of their time in the lab getting their hands dirty while developing a skill that can make them a lot of money,” explained Levi Reasnor, himself a 15-year veteran in the welding industry now in his fourth year at the Stilwell campus. “The first year students learn to do all of the basics involved with structural and plate welds and can earn certification in 3G, MIG and Flux-core and then in their second year they’ll get more into pipe welding and be ready to get their Oklahoma Steam card, a requirement to work on pipe, which includes the 6-G combo with MIG and Stick welding.”
And according to Reasnor, the multiple types and processes required in welding can be a difficult challenge to master.
“To do it the right way is the desired goal and our program allows each student to advance at their own pace while building confidence in their decision making. Stryder is already working at the second year level.”
The “will to win” is what continues to develop Pritchett’s abilities to become the ace of the staff.
“My drive to succeed is a mindset that’s driven by hard work and determination,” said Pritchett after observing the career efforts of his father (Jeremy) and brother (Kellen) as electrical linemen. “Every pitcher strives to complete a perfect game and that’s my approach to developing my welding skills.”
The welding program on the Stilwell campus, as well as the many other programs available at Indian Capital Technology Center gives students an opportunity to become leaders in the workplace.
“It’s the perfect match for the hands-on learners like myself to learn how to do something that I can use for the rest of my life and have fun at the same time,” said Pritchett.
