Wyatt Miller has a deep appreciation for the mechanical, the agricultural, and the historical. A junior at Mercer County High School, Wyatt has explored sports, jobs, restoration projects, and FFA, all while thinking ahead to his future. He’s a young man with a steady hand, a thoughtful mind, and a love for getting his hands dirty.

His high school years have been a winding road of discovery. Initially, he was heavily involved in sports, but the pull of hands-on work drew him away. "I got a job at Hank’s Power and Equipment," he explains. "I was doing tune-ups, repairs, and even some work down at the farm." The experience was invaluable, but after a while, he realized something. "I didn’t need the money, but I was giving up opportunities to be involved in other things."

So, Wyatt pivoted. He returned to track and field, where he competes in sprint events, even though his tall frame makes him an unexpected sprinter. "I know sprinters are usually built differently, but I love the challenge," he says with a grin.

But it’s Wyatt’s work in automotive restoration that really fuels his passion. The Mercer County High School restoration program is one of the only ones like it in the country, and Wyatt has been a part of multiple projects, including the restoration of an El Camino that the school raffled off. "That project was intense," he says. "It was a full frame-off restoration, meaning we took everything apart—down to the last bolt—and built it back up."

Right now, he and his classmates are working on a 1977 Jeep CJ7, which will be raffled off in August. Wyatt speaks with admiration for Mr. Heartt , the teacher who has built the program into what it is today. "Without him, we wouldn’t have this," Wyatt says. "No other high school around here offers anything close to this experience."

Outside of cars and school, Wyatt has deep roots in agriculture. His family runs a small cattle farm, and while he’d love to stay in the farming world, he understands the financial realities. "Farming on a small scale is tough," he admits. "Land is expensive, big corporations are buying up farms, and banks aren’t always willing to take a risk on smaller operations."

That’s why he’s also considering a career in the trades, where he can still work with his hands while keeping farming and restoration as personal passions. "If I could restore a classic car every few years, that would be the dream," he says.

Through it all, Wyatt has learned to appreciate his time in high school. "I stepped away from sports, then came back. I had a job, then I left to explore other things. High school is a chance to try everything, and I don’t want to waste it."

From the fields to the shop, the classroom to the track, Wyatt Miller is building a future that reflects his passion, his work ethic, and his respect for the past. Whether he’s restoring a car, fixing a mower, or working with cattle, he’s taking every lesson forward—one bolt, one race, one decision at a time.