As a high school student at Columbia Adventist Academy in Battle Ground, Washington, a “few years ago,” Doug Schmidt, class of 1980, was heavily impacted and inspired by a series of classes he began taking as a freshman: general shop, welding, woodworking, auto mechanics and construction. Not only did he learn skills that he continues to use today, he found creative joy and positive mentors.
Growing up without a dad, Schmidt found Reavis Belin, Doug Dietrich and Herb Waters to be more than teachers. They were mentors in love with their craft and eager to share.