(Gillette, WY) - Senior, Avery Trudick, has proven just how accurate the saying, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish can be applied to your everyday life. He began his journey at West Geauga Local Schools before transferring to ACE Academy, a community and public school that helps prepare students for high-wage jobs through high-quality hands-on skills.
Avery first joined ACE Academy because of his interest in their drone and aviation program, with the hope of becoming a pilot for the United States Air Force.
“While we were in Canada, my mom found out that ACE Academy was coming to Middlefield, and she thought it would be really cool for me to get into it because of their flight program,” said Trudick. “However, when we went to the Open House, where we could ask questions about their programs, that’s where I met the flight instructor and a man named Ryan Eubank.”
During the Open House, Avery had the opportunity to hear from Richard Blamer, the aviation instructor who works at the Geauga County Airport, and Ryan Eubank.
“Richard Blamer talked about drone license and the opportunities we could get at the airport, and how he can get us flying hours, said Trudick as he reminisced on his first visit with the school.
Ryan Eubank is a local welding instructor who turned his own educational struggles into a bigger purpose for students like himself. Eubank was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in the Second Grade, and spent many years in special education classes. After learning about his strengths and understanding that his learning style was not incorrect, but rather different, he has since built a dynasty in the welding industry, both locally and nationally.
He is currently the director of welding education at Lakeland Community College and has started the welding program at ACE Academy as well. He has seen students who may have similar challenges in the classroom as he faced, and wants to give them the best for their future.
Avery decided to stick around and listen to what Ryan offered through his welding program. “He has a way of selling his program.”
The successful stories that Ryan shared with his students sparked an interest in Avery.
“Ryan talked about welding in the sense that if you work hard, listen to his advice about not only becoming a good welder but an even better person, and set goals for yourself, you can have an amazing career,” said Trudick after Eubank’s first impression.
It was then that Ryan had heard and experienced something very similar before, when Avery told him that he wanted to be a pilot but wasn’t sure if he was capable of pursuing that career because Avery didn’t particularly like school.
During an interview, Avery explained that he didn’t think that college would be for him. “I’m not a student who has the knowledge required to go to school. I don’t have a 4.0 GPA, and I prefer to work with my hands,” he said.
“Students like Avery don’t understand why they come to school, and it’s ultimately to show them what hard work and perseverance can do for you,” said Eubank.
And that’s when Avery understood that there is so much more to welding than just traditional welding. As he listed off a few to name, he also discussed the small details that go into the process, ultimately resulting in something very cool. You could tell during the conversation that the same passion that Avery talked about Ryan having was slowly starting to be put on display as he became more eager to dive deeper into the topic of welding.
“The first time I was in the booth with him, something just clicked for me, and I thought it was amazing,” said Trudick. “He lit the fire underneath me.”
Fast forward one year, and Trudick could hardly believe where the welding program would take him. He was allowed to compete in Gillette, Wyoming, at the Western Welding Academy on May 3rd, 2026. During the competition, participants were required to weld a ⅜-inch plate with a 3/32 root opening using a 6010 root pass and a 7018 stick weld-out. Competitors had one hour to complete the process.
Participants also had to ensure there were no cuts on the outside of the bevel and maintain consistency throughout the root pass. Once completed, they had to quench their plate, report their completion time to the judges, and then wait for their work to be graded.
Well over 300 students competed in the same division as Avery. He was notified by Eubank on Monday that he had a chance to compete that upcoming Saturday, so there was little time for him to practice.
“For him to do as well as he did, it was truly an accomplishment. I chose Avery because he is a senior, and he’s getting ready to go out into the real world.”
With just two days of practice, Avery placed 12th. He and his classmates had competed in more local competitions in other parts of Ohio and Kentucky, but none to this extreme.
“I would not be the person I am today without Matthew Nonato. He’s a great instructor, and he really helped me prepare for this event,” said Trudick. Nonato is a student of Ryan Eubank’s and is young enough to relate to the students on a different level.
“I think Matthew deserves more recognition than I ever will,” said Eubank. “He has been with Avery and the other students every day. Mr. Joe Turon is another great role model for the students. It’s amazing to look at Matt and use him, at how fast your success can happen.”
Not only had the competition been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but the trip in its entirety was as well. Avery and four other students from Lakeland Community College rented an RV on Thursday, April 30th, and drove 26 hours to Gillette, Wyoming. Eubank was also encouraged by the drive, where their first stop was the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Then, they made a stop at Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and finally the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Once they arrived in Gillette, they stopped for dinner, played at a trampoline park, and did some golfing before parking the camper and preparing for the competition the next day. Ryan Eubank and Matthew Nonato made sure to mix in some fun for the students as well. It couldn’t be all work and no play for the entire road trip. They even got a tour of the Western Welding Academy once they arrived on site.
“There were so many cool things that we saw, and it was beautiful to see,” said Trudick.
Ryan described the trip as one of the most unbelievable and memorable trips of his life.
Just a few days ago, Avery walked across the stage and received his High School diploma. He also took another welding trip, this time to Oregon, where he competed in another competition. He hopes that after competing in those competitions and receiving his diploma, he can begin the job search, more specifically in the welding industry.
“I’ve already gotten a few job offers, locally. I’m struggling to pick one, but I’m leaning towards tank welding,” said Trudick.
“Avery didn’t always live a clean and honest life,” said Eubank. “But now, he knows exactly who he wants to be, and what he wants to do. It’s people like Mr. Turon and Matthew Nonato who have created a family within our school. We are teaching our kids how to be a family, give each other hugs, tell one another that we love them, and that’s where they understand the value of love,” said Eubank when he reflects on the second year program.
“Ryan doesn’t just teach us a class on welding; he teaches us a class about life. He teaches us about what life is going to bring us.”