Griffin Oplatek, a Junior at South High School, has been expanding his manufacturing knowledge through the Red Raider Manufacturing program since he was a Freshman. “You learn important skills that you will appreciate in the future,” he shares about his experience.

In over two years in the program, Griffin has taken a wide variety of classes: Electricity, Electronics, and Automation; Introduction to Engineering and Design; Metals Fabrication; Principles of Engineering; and Advanced Metals Fabrication. He plans to participate in a co-op this summer.

Learn more about Griffin below:

Student Name: Griffin Oplatek
School: South High School
Grade: 11

What classes aside from the RRM program are you taking?
“I have been taking pre-calculus this year along with an introductory programming class that is a semester long. Other than that, I am doing a year-long culinary class and Advanced Placement United States History.”

What other activities are you involved in?
“I am a member of the Sheboygan Falls First Robotics Compitition (FRC) Team 3418, Roboriot. FRC involves a team of high school students who build a robot that is designed to perform specific tasks.”

What is your favorite thing about your Red Raider Manufacturing experience?
“My favorite thing about Red Raider Manufacturing is the teacher. The metals teacher, Mr. Kachel, teaches the basic process of manufacturing well before he lets us work on projects, welding, or CNC at our own pace. Mr. Heeler also excels at teaching and does a good job giving help when it is requested.”

Appreciation and respect in the classroom go both ways. Teacher Craig Heeler shares, “Griffin is one of those rare students that takes what he learns in our classes and applies it outside the classroom. He participates heavily in First Robotics and uses all his knowledge gained within our classroom. Griffin is a great kid and is willing to help anyone out.”

What project are you most proud of?
“The project I enjoyed the most was the survival shovel. I found that project to be the most challenging so completing it felt very satisfying. My second-favorite project was the survival mallet. That project required a lot of skill with the lathe and mill. It was satisfying to me because I was able to complete the project esily due to the skill I had accumulated.”

What are your future plans?
“My future plan is to go to a 4-year university to become an electrical engineer. I also have a backup plan of becoming a welder if being an electrical engineer doesn't work.”

We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, Griffin!

The Red Raider Manufacturing program gives students the opportunity to learn and grow in a high-tech environment before even graduating from high school. Learn more about the program here: https://www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/programs/red-raider-manufacturing