Building for his future.
Technology is our reality, and is certainly just getting more and more advanced as the next AI platform is introduced or talking refrigerator is rolled out at Home Depot. There is an impressive group of minds behind the tech wave, and certainly a new generation of thinkers and innovators leading this charge.
West Noble High School senior Daniel Hager is one of those minds, very meticulous and mechanical. Hager has spent part of his mornings in the West Noble tech room, learning how the school corp’s technology processes and functions work, but also parlaying his amazing ability to construct and problem solve into a working art form.
Putting those foundations into action, Hager took part in the 2024 SkillsUSA competition via the SmartTech program. Working in the Smart Technologies and Automation category, Hager and his team competed and qualified for the state competition. As the only outfit in the category at state, the team had the option to move onto Nationals as the default winner, but SmartTech director Brice Handshoe decided to wait a year and let the team get more experience.
The SmartTech program is under the umbrella of Impact, which is overseen by the Community Foundation of Noble County. It’s designed to strengthen the youth of Noble County through real life experiences and opportunities.
Formally, Impact has updated its current path as, in part, stating, “The Community Foundation of Noble County partnered with the Don Wood Foundation through its visionary Ignite Your Future program, a collaboration that’s lighting the way for a new generation of learners, leaders and innovators across Noble County.
“This transformative partnership is opening doors to high-demand careers in engineering, industrial technology, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring local students and educators have the resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Hager, who is planning on joining the United States Marine Corps upon graduation, is on the fast track to setting up his future through the work of his present. His viewpoint in the tech world, and the processes that are furthering him along, are actually pretty simple.
“If you want the best experience and hands-on mentality, Impact will give you that,” Hager said.