Scott Hert Gives Inspirational Talk at Senior Basket Event

 

Scott Hert knows what it’s like to walk in an average Lucerne Valley student’s shoes. He grew up in the town and shared similar hopes, dreams — and challenges.

 

“Going to a small school was pretty special,” said Hert, a 2004 graduate of Lucerne Valley High School. “But there were some hard times, there was some poverty, and some people were addicted to drugs or alcohol.”

 

Similar situations still exist here in Lucerne Valley, he said during an inspirational talk to Lucerne Valley High School seniors on Tuesday, May 14th at the annual Senior Basket event. “For some of you it (school) was easy,” Hert said. “For others it was a struggle and hard to get here.”

 

After his graduation 20 years ago, Hert had his sights set on becoming a teacher, but eventually he felt called to help the family trucking business.

 

 

 

 

 

“Hert Trucking is better and we’re stronger than we’ve ever been. But that didn’t come quickly, and it didn’t come easily.”

 

The Hert Trucking story has humble beginnings. Hert’s father, Scott Hert Sr., who founded the company, grew up without running water or electricity. When his family moved to Lucerne Valley the family’s situation improved — they got running water. But because there was no high school in Lucerne Valley in those days, he and others were bused to Apple Valley High School. As a result, Scott Sr. couldn’t participate in after-school activities including sports as the Lucerne Valley students had to get back on the bus and head for home.

 

After high school, Scott Sr. started driving a truck for a living. He then bought “an old beat up truck with a million miles on it.” He worked hard and saved his money and eventually replaced his truck’s tires, which were so worn out that they had the steel cords showing.

 

Forty years after the company began it is now a thriving business with 80 employees and 55 trucks.

 

“It took hard work and sacrifice,” Hert said. “That same principle is going to apply for you going forward. Wherever you want to be put in the work, put your nose to the grindstone and you’ll get there.”

 

During the Senior Basket event Scott and his wife Susan handed out gift bags that included a $100 bill for every graduating senior.

 

--------
Today Scott Hert and his brothers Chris and Steve run the S.S. Hert Trucking business their father started in 1984. Scott Hert Sr. is semi-retired.