Carson McCormick, a friend and a senior at Esperanza, has big goals and plans for his future in the mechanical industry. It takes a lot for someone to drop everything they do for a passion or goal, and Carson has exceeded the bar. From a kid who couldn’t get off the video game to now having a full-time job, Carson has flipped the script physically and emotionally. Having his parents as his support team fills him with the knowledge and wisdom he needs to be successful after he graduates, which means a lot to him. With his dad telling him to get off the game and go outside and his mom introducing him to this industry, Carson feels a lot of opportunity is coming.
In Carson’s early days, he was like any other teenager—video games for hours, anything from Fortnite to Call of Duty. Outside of the controller, Carson played baseball and would later play for Esperanza as his freshman and at the start of his sophomore season. His best memory would be winning the league in his first year and having everyone run out and dog-pile the mound after the final out was caught. During his sophomore year, he began to lose his passion for baseball and switched to golf. In a recent podcast, Carson states, “Golf is a sport you can play for the rest of your life…the networking and business deals done on a golf course is something I want to pursue.” After a varsity start to his sophomore and junior years, Carson began to lose passion for what he used to love and began finding interest in the mechanical world. Long story short, Carson was left with a tough decision for a teenager to pursue sports or work full time. With no correct answer, Carson stuck to his guns and chose to hang up the towel at Esperanza and begin working full-time at Laser Innovations. This quote has stuck with Carson, Tiger Woods himself: “No matter how good you get, you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” This has stuck with Carson throughout high school because he knows there is always another step closer to his goal in the future.
With Carson working long hours and setting goals for his future, like any teenager, getting away from all the noise is essential. Carson mentioned the same points in an interview completed earlier in the year. When he is not turning a wrench, he can be found chilling out on his boat in Havasu. “The weather in Havasu is always hot, just a good way to escape all the noise.” Feeling the ease of not having to be somewhere on time or a boss pushing you to work harder.
Additionally, Carson has always looked forward to bringing a friend to Havasu. His preschool friend Daniel has meant a lot to him, always being there for Carson when he needs it. “It wouldn’t be a Havasu trip without him,” he said. Having relationships and connections with people means a lot to Carson; he will continue to cherish those for the rest of his life.
What Carson has learned over the years is what you see from the outside may not always be what you see going on inside. With that being said, Carson has lived with some regrets. His biggest regret is not trying harder in school and getting better grades. The balance of school, sports and a full-time job can be tricky for someone only seventeen. Leaning on the advice from his parents and staying committed to his craft has stuck with him to this point, and there will always be ups and downs in something you are passionate about.
Making a decision is one of the trickiest parts of life, and there are no exact correct answers. Not everyone knows what they want to do at such a young age. Carson McCormick has found his happiness and happy place, with a strong support team of friends and family behind him. Carson will continue pushing himself beyond high school and live the life HE wants. Carson will continue to impact not only students or teammates but also his coworkers and whoever he may run into down the road. It’s hard to beat a guy with a drive and passion for things like CMC.
