McKenzi Farmer at the Washington County Career Center. (Photo Provided)

WATERFORD — Washington County Career Center junior McKenzi Farmer is blazing her own path forward in the welding program.

Farmer spends her school days at the Career Center but is still involved with extracurricular activities through Waterford High School, including as an officer for FFA and a member of the golf team.

Farmer visited the Career Center as a sophomore and said the welding program caught her attention. She also had inspiration from a relative.

“My grandfather was my best friend growing up. He passed away when I was 5,” she said, “He was a welder. I’m following in his footsteps.”

Farmer described joining the welding program as “life-changing.” She said she wasn’t sure if the school would accept her and felt relief when they did.

McKenzi Farmer at the Washington County Career Center. (Photo Provided)

“You have so much more freedom here,” she said. “At your home school, you’re in classes all day. Here, you get to do something you like and still do your academic classes.”

Farmer said she’s made significant progress since starting the program last fall.

“I started out knowing hardly anything, and now I know a lot of things. I’ve learned different techniques,” she said.

Farmer’s goal for her senior year is to obtain a job through early placement.

“The first semester, you have your academic classes in the morning and go to work in the afternoon. The second semester, you go to work and don’t attend the Career Center at all,” she said.

McKenzie Farmer poses with chrysanthemums prior to Waterford High School’s homecoming dance. (Photo Provided)

Farmer is one of two girls in the welding program. She said while it was intimidating at first, she has grown comfortable among her peers.

She also said she appreciates her instructor, Tyler Stacy.

“He will give you your crap if you’re not doing your work. But if you’re working hard and trying your best, he’ll be your best friend. He gives us feedback,” she said.

At Waterford, this is Farmer’s second year serving as a reporter for the school’s FFA chapter.

“I’m supposed to write articles for the newspaper, take pictures and put together a scrapbook of the chapter’s activities,” she said.

McKenzi Farmer, center, and fellow officers Paige Layne, treasurer, and Katelynn Valandingham, secretary, were graded on their officer books at the FFA District Evaluation in Athens Wednesday. All three received a Gold rating. (Photo Provided)

Farmer, Treasurer Paige Layne and Secretary Katelynn Valandingham were graded on their officer books at the FFA District Evaluation in Athens Wednesday. All three received the highest rating, Gold. Farmer said this is her second Gold rating.

“I’m glad I get recognized for these things,” she said. “I can show employers I can do good work.”

In order to be elected as an officer, students are required to participate in Parliamentary Procedure, an event that teaches them how to run a business meeting through “Robert’s Rules of Order.” This past fall was Farmer’s second year in the program.

“It’s helped my public speaking skills,” she said. “Before I did Parli, I was so scared. In the meeting, you just do it.”

Farmer said the team has been to the state competition the past two years. This year’s competition took place on Dec. 9, 2023 in Delaware, outside of Columbus.

Waterford girls golf team members display their trophy from winning the Waterford Golf Invitational. From left to right are McKenzi Farmer, Parker Powers, Kari Carney, Maddie Heiner, Leah Ryan, Gwen Lang and Josie Burke. (Photo Provided)

“District 10 is really competitive. We’ve been fortunate to make it the past two years,” she said.

Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com

McKenzi Farmer speaks at the Waterford FFA banquet in April. (Photo Provided)

The Waterford girls golf team celebrates getting first place in the Tri-Valley Conference. From left to right are McKenzi Farmer, Gwen Lang, Kari Carney, Parker Powers, Leah Ryan, Maddie Heiner and Josie Burke. (Photo Provided)