Jethro Schwartz ’26 — Welding

Every year, nearly 100 percent of our seniors matriculate to a college or university to further their education. This is a reflection of our students’ commitment to academics, the impact provided by our faculty and college counselors, and society’s increased emphasis on advanced degrees to elevate your career prospects. However, Avon Old Farms doesn’t shy away from exposing students to the alternatives that exist!

The Advanced Independent Project (AIP) program is the epitome of providing that exposure. Through AIPs, students are allotted the afternoon activities time-slot to explore options outside the standard curriculum. For senior Jethro “Jet” Schwartz ’26, this gave him the chance to try his hand at welding. “Growing up in a much more white-collar environment, I’ve never gotten the chance to experience anything like it,” Jet shares. “Most kids here, and most of Gen-Z in general, are like me. They’ve never gotten their hands on a welder in their lives. But I think most teenage boys, if they tried welding, would love it.”

Jet is from Westchester, New York. After finishing middle school, he felt he needed the smaller class sizes and closer teacher-student relationships that come with a boarding school. He explored a few options, but Avon Old Farms stood out. “The traditions this school has been able to uphold, and the respect and standards here really impressed me. Some of the rules I don’t even necessarily like, like staying clean shaven, but it all sets you up to be prepared for the future.”

In his three years at Avon, Jet has played football, joined the Debate Club and Avon Bible Fellowship, and serves as a head dorm monitor. He is currently the president of the school’s oldest extracurricular—Nimrod Club. He also started a popular new club dedicated to barbequing. He found the hands-on, outdoor activities really appealed to him. In fact, he found himself wanting to do even more, and the AIP program is always available to students looking for more ways to explore their interests.

During the past two summers, Jet has worked for a construction company. In his last few weeks before returning to school for his senior year, the welding station in the company shop caught his eye. He experimented with it a bit while he could, but soon it was time to return to Avon. While he had plenty at school to keep him occupied, the urge to do more metal working lingered. So, with no afternoon commitment for the winter season, he took his opportunity and expressed his desire for an AIP dedicated to welding or something similar.

Most AIPs see students paired with alumni or local businesses to immerse themselves in their particular passion. With no previous metalworking AIPs to mirror, Jet had to take initiative and find a mentor. He wasn’t having much luck until a conversation with one of his classmates at a BBQ Club meeting opened the door. Mike Best, the stepdad of one of Jet’s best friends, Tyler Rebick ’26, is a welder, and has his own shop located in Simsbury. Best said he wouldn’t mind giving a friend of Rebick’s more insight into a potential career. “I want to build his skills so he’s ready when he does pursue his career. That starts with giving him more experience and teaching him just how vast welding is,” Best says.

This winter season, Jet has spent at least three afternoons a week in Best’s shop. He’s learned all the tools and terminology of the trade, was introduced to the vast career opportunities, and practiced the three main types of welds: Stick, MIG, and TIG. “I’m not welding 30 feet under water or on the top of a skyscraper, but I still have loved learning so far,” Jet says. “There’s so much to welding I didn’t know about before. That’s something I’ve learned through this AIP.”

One of Jet’s goals is to be able to get an American Welding Society certification by the end of the AIP. Best says he’ll be able to do that and so much more. “I could definitely get him to that point no problem,” Best says. “But I want to teach him more. I want him to understand the whole craft, be able to identify a good weld from a bad one, and learn all the skills he might need when he goes out into the industry.”

Jet was already considering a career in welding or a similar craft, and his experience in the AIP has solidified that. “If anything, my interest has grown a lot more. I find it really enjoyable. It’s satisfying and addicting in a way.” He is still deciding between a few colleges, but Jet knows he wants to study construction or agricultural management wherever he ends up. He also plans to enlist in his university’s ROTC program, with hopes to eventually end up in the Engineer Corps.

He also expressed his opinion that more members of his generation should explore these types of opportunities. “A lot of us are under the impression we need to get a job in finance or medicine. A lot of young men aren’t being told about these other opportunities in trades and fields like that. It’s unfortunate because these types of jobs are really beneficial to our country and to the world. I don’t know if any other private schools have any options like this.”

The AIP program is also something Jet is grateful for. “It’s pretty life-changing. I’d never experienced a lot of these things until recently, and I love it. I’d definitely recommend the AIP program to other students, no matter what your interest is. It gives you real-world exposure and you either love it, or you learn it’s not for you. There’s no reason not to give it a go.”

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