On a path to success. Deaf student makes most of his scholarship opportunity.

It’s hard not to admire a young adult who has figured out early on what they want to do in life. That admiration reaches an even deeper level when they’ve faced additional challenges, as Thomas Robertson has done.

Robertson, also known as TJ, is 18 and was born deaf. He enrolled in the Wisconsin School for the Deaf at the age of 3. As a junior, he dual enrolled at Delavan-Darien High School to expand the classes he could take, such as math for the trades and welding. He graduated this spring. Though he planned to become an electrician, Robertson said spending time working on a motorcycle with his dad spiked his interest in automotive repair. He then heard an instructor from Gateway Technical College talk about an internship through Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan.

“That really got me interested,” Robertson said, with his mom, Jess, serving as the interpreter.

When he was a junior in high school and throughout the following summer, he worked as an intern at Advanced. From there he became a youth apprentice at the shop. Tony Lynn, the owner of Advanced Auto Clinic, said Robertson’s motivation is inspiring.

“His senior year and this past summer, he needed 450 hours for the apprenticeship but had almost 800. He had until August but finished it in June,” Lynn said. Robertson said he’s enjoyed learning new things.

“Sometimes we do routine work but I started learning new things and picked up on more skills. I’m more of an assistant where if they need help, I help them and do some investigating. If I’m unsure of how to do something, I ask and they help me,” he said. So, how does he communicate with his coworkers?

“We use the phone to text back and forth – or type a message and let each other read it – and sometimes, a board to write on, plus a lot of gestures I can pick up on,” Robertson said. He said he has a few favorite projects he’s had a hand in thus far, including a transmission he helped Lynn repair. He enjoys challenges.

“I also like electronics or anything that’s harder to figure out. And, it’s good to learn that,” Robertson said. In addition to working at Advanced, Robertson is currently enrolled in the mechanics program at Blackhawk Technical College and plans to graduate in 2023. He also works as a dishwasher at the Duck Inn, where Robertson recently took on additional responsibility.

“I started as a dishwasher and now train the new people on how to do it right. I’m not like the head dishwasher or anything but have more responsibility,” he said. Robertson said juggling two jobs and college was overwhelming initially but he’s getting used to the routine. Helping hands Robertson received three scholarships when he graduated from high school.

“They’re helping with the cost of college so the amount I have to pay is smaller,” Robertson said.

One of the scholarships came from the Wisconsin Auto and Truck Dealer Association and in addition to tuition assistance comes with mechanic’s tools from Snapon Tools.

“WATDA scholarships are normally sponsored by dealerships but they called and asked if I would sponsor it, which I was happy to do,” Lynn said.

He said the association plays a vital role in introducing kids throughout Wisconsin into the automotive field. “It’s so important to us business owners because it’s helping expose kids to the field,” Lynn said. He said he’s been in contact with WATDA representatives with an idea of starting a summer camp program in Walworth County because now, more than ever, the industry needs young people.

“It used to be we learned about cars because our dads fixed their own vehicles and did their own oil changes. That doesn’t happen anymore so it’s been neat to see things evolve through tech programs and it’s opening doors all over, not just for TJ but kids everywhere,” Lynn said. Lynn said Advanced Auto Clinic now has an apprenticeship through NAPA that he’ll put TJ on in the near future.

“He has a lot on his plate right now but once he gets in the groove a bit more, I’ll get him involved in that. It’s an 18- to 24-month program and once he’s done with it, he’ll have three or four ASE certifications. My goal is to have him as the master level within four years,” Lynn said.

Not an easy road

It appears as if the pieces are falling into place for Robertson but getting to where he is did not come without challenges. “When I wanted to start being a mechanic, there were concerns because I can’t hear, but I didn’t give up,” he said.

His mother said she’s extremely proud of TJ, but isn’t surprised. “When he sets his mind to do something, he accomplishes it. Ever since he was little, he’s always figured out how to interact with other people. Just to be where he is, you don’t see that with a lot of deaf kids and we owe a lot to Tony for that,” she said.

Jess Robertson said the barriers they faced were frustrating. “In the beginning, we knew TJ needed an interpreter. I have three hearing kids also and if they were in a youth apprenticeship program, they would get what they needed. So it was a fight, but we got it to work,” she said.

Realizing her son needed an interpreter wasn’t the issue, she said. “The question was who was going to pay for it. That’s a big problem you see with a lot of the deaf kids,” Jess said. In spite of the challenges, Lynn said he’s thankful they persevered and believes TJ’s story will inspire others.

“If TJ can make this happen, others can also – and not just the hearing impaired,” Lynn said.

TJ said his immediate plans include completing the course at Blackhawk and continuing to work at Advanced Auto Clinic. But that’s not all. “I want to work here for a long time. I also want to work with deaf high school kids to show them how to do auto mechanics. I want to influence deaf kids to show them they can do whatever they want and someday, maybe I want to own my own shop,” he said.

“I know deaf kids who want to be authors or work in the music world. They have dreams and hopes of wanting to do something but feel restricted. I want to help deaf kids be able to do what they want to do,” he said. TJ also has advice for other deaf students. “If you want something, do it. But even if you’re really motivated, you might need help because you can’t do it alone,” he said. “There’s always going to be challenges but you have to do whatever it takes.”