In one of his final acts last spring, Les Peterson came to Sonoma Valley High School four or five times to recruit students for a program designed to provide them with a path toward apprenticeships and careers in sheet metal, plumbing and machining.

Peterson, who was president and CEO of Peterson Mechanical, a 107-year-old Sonoma HVAC company, died of a heart attack on July 11, so he never had a chance to see 11 students — mostly from SVHS — graduate from the six-week program, Heavy Metal Summer Experience, which continues to benefit and inspire them.

“We are fortunate that Peterson Mechanical is committed to continuing the program next summer and has graciously requested donations in memory of Les Peterson to benefit the SVHS Metal Fabrication Pathway, as has the family of late metals teacher Mark Lea [who taught classes for 18 years at SVHS before passing away on May 16, 2022],” said Wendy Swanson, work-based learning coordinator for the College & Career Center at SVHS.

The assistance and involvement of Peterson Mechanical, along with Mellinger Engineering, Amormino Machining & Design and other Sonoma companies, have provided a big boost to career-minded students in the Metal Fabrication Pathway, part of the Manufacturing and Product Development Sector in SVHS’ Career Technical Education (CTE) program.

“This sector provides a foundation in manufacturing processes and systems for many different industrial and technology careers, and postsecondary programs,” Swanson said. “It emphasizes real-world experiences of significant scope and depth to prepare students for a multitude of career opportunities in manufacturing and product development. Students in this sector have post-graduation opportunities in apprenticeship programs, community colleges and four-year colleges.”

The program has changed from offering classic metal shop experiences to a fabrication and manufacturing CTE program. Students learn metallurgy techniques, 3D modeling and basic welding, and use of machinery and program technical equipment, including computer numerical control machinery.

“The biggest change in the program occurred when veteran teacher Mark Lea passed away,” Swanson said. “The reins have been taken up by Aaron Anderson, who also teaches art and has infused the metal fabrication program with an artistic flair, with some of the projects revolving around jewelry design and metal sculpture.”

Partners who have helped Anderson with the transition this year include Dan Sunia, manufacturing technology and NIMS teacher at Petaluma High School; and Phil Amormino, founder of Amormino Machining & Design. The program also has an advisory board.

The root of Anderson’s involvement with fabrication and manufacturing date back to his student days at Grosse Pointe South High School in Michigan, where he was inspired by his ceramics, jewelry and sculpture teacher.

“Gene Pluhar is the reason why I got into teaching,” Anderson said. “He was an amazing person who taught me many lessons about problem-solving and how to work with my hands.”

Anderson went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in glass from California College of Arts & Crafts, now located in San Francisco, and a master’s degree from Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education & Counseling in Portland, Oregon.

He has taught at SVHS for the past 12 years and has worked in a glass foundry — where he manufactured and produced light fixtures — and as a plumber, carpenter and house painter as well as for general contractors.

Anderson feels that the Metal Fabrication Pathway is important because it teaches students to work with their hands and inform them about how things are made.

“It also gives them an idea of what it is like to work in the trades or manufacturing, or as a jeweler,” he said.

Swanson added, “Metal fabrication is a vitally important part of our everyday lives. Our infrastructures, houses, businesses, vehicles and computers all rely on fabrication. This is another industry that is suffering from shortages in skilled personnel, so providing students with a pathway to the future, a highly employable trade, is important.”

The five components of the classes are welding, casting, blacksmithing, machining and jewelry making. Courses are designed to expose students to various processes, techniques and methods related to jewelry and metalworking. They develop skills and explore the use of metal materials for personal design, expression and visual problem-solving.

The classes help students close the gap between technical proficiency and personal creativity by offering practical information about materials, tools and techniques. Students design and work with a wide variety of materials, including copper, nickel, brass, titanium, silver, steel, wire and semiprecious stones.

Students develop techniques such as sawing, forming, brazing, soldering, welding, casting, forging, machining, sanding, polishing and applying several surface treatments.

Some 90 students are participating in the Metal Fabrication Pathway this year.

Senior Jaren Kneeland, 18, began taking classes in the pathway during his sophomore year because he wanted to learn good life qualities and skills.

“I’ve learned how to weld and make jewelry, along with plumbing, HVAC, electrician and framing skills, and a bunch of other awesome stuff,” he said, adding that he particularly enjoys welding.

Luis Vargas, a 17-year-old senior, chose the pathway because it seemed fun and interesting.

“I learned how to use all the machines and all the tools,” he said. “And what I like the most is working with friends. I chill with them, and we do our stuff.”

Kevyn Colon, also a 17-year-old senior, said he enjoys the combined learning and working environment.

“I’ve learned how to weld, make rings, roses, a toolbox and a hammer,” Colon said, adding that he is contemplating furthering his education at a trade school.

Anderson said his main ambition is to cultivate positive interactions with these and other students so that he can help them explore new avenues and gain new skills.

“I am excited to develop and enhance the program as the new instructor,” he said.

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.

Correction: This story corrects the fact that Mark Lea passed away on May 16, 2022.

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