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Four Hamilton High School seniors are shifting their futures into high gear—earning their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) ahead of graduation through Hamilton’s innovative CDL program, now in its second year.

Congratulations to Max Meiste, Porter Borgman, Hayden Block, and Eli Ramsey, who completed the demanding training and licensing process with the help of 17 generous local donors who helped fund the program. Their efforts are already paying off as these students hit the road—literally—toward career-ready opportunities.

For each student, the CDL opens a unique path. Eli plans to pursue a career in excavation, using his CDL to haul heavy equipment. Max dreams of traveling the country as a truck driver. Porter, already working in plumbing, sees the CDL as a backup plan and added skill for the future. Hayden hopes to deliver heavy equipment to local farms.

“I wasn’t really expecting to be able to do this while still in school,” Eli said. “But it’s nice to have it before I even graduate high school.”

All four seniors expressed deep appreciation for the donors who helped fund their classes, tests, and training—an investment that gives students a valuable credential and real-world experience before even walking across the graduation stage.

“The donors really helped us out,” said Hayden. “It’s a huge advantage at a young age and puts us in a better spot for the future.”

The CDL program is just one of many career-focused opportunities available to Hamilton students, preparing them to be workforce-ready, confident, and adaptable. As Max summed it up: “Hamilton has gotten me ready for the future by giving me this opportunity.”

Thanks to continued community support and student determination, the Hamilton CDL program is paving a strong path forward—one mile marker at a time.

"Hamilton Community Schools provided four driven, respectful students who exemplify the character and responsibility needed in this industry," said Bill Baareman of FCG Truck Driving School, who trained the students. "Their one-of-a-kind CDL program is giving students a direct path to strong career opportunities right out of high school. Great things are happening at Hamilton!"