For Archer Tucker, the classroom was never quite enough. Not that he wasn’t a good student—he worked hard, took school seriously, and kept up with his work. But when it came to how he learned best, the answer was always the same: with his hands.

That’s why Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Salem Community High School became such an essential part of his journey. Welding, mechanics, and hands-on fabrication didn’t just give him skills; they gave him direction. “I took welding as a freshman, mostly just to see what it was like,” Archer recalls. “And then, I realized I loved it. I kept taking it, and now it’s what I want to do after I graduate.”

Archer’s passion for hands-on work extends beyond the classroom. At home, he spends his time working on his truck, maintaining four-wheelers, and fixing whatever needs fixing. “If something’s broken, I want to figure out how to fix it myself,” he says. “That’s just how I am.”

In Mr. Johnson’s manufacturing class, Archer has learned everything from welding techniques to machining fundamentals—skills that will serve him well in the workforce. His post-graduation plan includes earning a welding certification, potentially at KC’s technical program, before relocating to North Carolina, where his father has already lined up job opportunities for him.

“I’m still deciding whether to do my schooling here or in North Carolina,” Archer admits. “But either way, welding is where I’m starting.”

Welding isn’t just a job—it’s a physically demanding trade. Archer knows that better than most. He’s thought ahead, knowing that long-term careers in welding can take a toll on the body. “I figure I’ll do it for about five years,” he says. “Then I might transition into heavy equipment operation—something that’s still hands-on but not as rough on the body.”

His careful planning comes from experience. A near-miss with a chainsaw last fall almost cost him a fingertip, and a six-month battle with scoliosis taught him patience, resilience, and the importance of taking care of his body. “You’ve got to think about the long game,” Archer says. “I don’t want to wear myself out before I get where I want to be.”

Ask Archer what’s shaped him most, and he won’t say welding, or moving to North Carolina, or even Salem Community High School. Instead, he’ll tell you about failure—and how it’s been his greatest teacher.

“I’ve had my share of failures,” he says with a shrug. “But every one of them taught me something.” His chainsaw injury, for instance, was a lesson in not rushing through a job. His scoliosis recovery taught him how to push through hardship. Even in welding, he says, mistakes happen—but they don’t define you.

“You’ve got to fail to figure out where your flaws are,” Archer says. “Then, you take a step back, figure out what went wrong, and correct it. That’s the only way to really learn.”

As Archer approaches graduation, he reflects on his time at Salem Community High School with a sense of gratitude and respect for the experiences that have shaped him. He didn’t play traditional sports, but, for a time, he found his competitive outlet on the school’s bass fishing team. More than that, he found a sense of direction and purpose in the trade programs the school offers.

His advice to his younger self? “Pay attention while you can. Take your time. And don’t get in a hurry—because more often than not, that’s when things go wrong.”

And if he were to give a speech to his graduating class? “Respect gets you a long way,” he says simply. “I’ve always lived by the Golden Rule—treat people the way you want to be treated.”

It’s an old lesson, but one that never goes out of style.