04/23/2026
“The Day Welding Got Real”
Earlier this year, Ethan Brooks Welding & Fabrication welcomed a few of our students who had zero welding experience.
Before they even touched a tool, Ethan hit them with questions that made the whole room pause:
“Are you ready to get burned? Are you ready to be uncomfortable?”
For a moment, you could feel them shift in their seats.
Then he explained why.
Welding, he told them, is one of the most painful, uncomfortable trades you can work in.
You’ll have sore bones, you’ll probably get sparks in your ears and down your shirt, and you’ll go home tired in ways you didn’t know existed.
But here’s the part that stuck with those students:
As he talked about the challenges, his face lit up.
Because despite the burns, the heat, and the long days, welding is a craft that builds lives, families, and entire communities. It’s a trade where you can make a great living — and where someone’s safety depends on the quality of your work.
A bad weld isn’t just a mistake.
A bad weld can get someone hurt.
That moment was real. Honest. Unfiltered.
And it showed our students exactly what it means to step into a skilled trade with pride and responsibility.
This is why the Seth Lark Foundation exists — to give young people access to mentors like Ethan who tell the truth, teach with passion, and show what it really takes to succeed.
Your support helps us put more kids in front of mentors like Ethan. Check out our FB page for the upcoming Bring Back the Trades One Kid at a Time, Bull Roast May 15th.
