Local high school students competed in a welding competition on Friday, March 22, 2024, hosted by Southern Regional Technical College and Colquitt County High School and sponsored by Darvin Flowers of Jones Welding and Steve Mattson of Lincoln Electric. 52 students participated in the competition in Moultrie to compete against each other for a chance to win the grand prize of a 140 amp GMAW welding machine, a Lincoln welding hood, welding jacket, welding gloves, welding cap, a bag for carrying welding gear, and a $1,000.00 SRTC scholarship.
The competition aimed to foster healthy competition while highlighting the importance of welding skills in today's industrial landscape. Participants demonstrated their proficiency in various welding techniques and put their welding skills on display using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process in horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions with E7018 and E6010 electrodes. SRTC welcomed students from Baconton Charter School, Bishop Hall Charter School, Cairo High School, Colquitt County High School, Early County High School, Harris County High School, Miller County High School, Mitchell County High School, Thomas County Central High School, Thomasville High School, Valdosta High School, and Worth County High School.
The top 10 winners of the competition include first place winner Hunter Brogren from Thomas County Central High School, second place winner Colbie Wallace from Valdosta High School, third place winner Cason Vickers from Miller County High School, fourth place winner Andrew Crawford from Cairo High School, fifth place winner Daniel Pyles from Bainbridge High School, sixth place winner London Young from Thomasville High School, seventh place winner Alexis Villeda from Colquitt County High School, eighth place winner Austin Connell from Worth County High School, ninth place winner Aden Sauls from Colquitt County High School, and tenth place winner Nic Whigham from Thomas County Central High School.
The instructors who mentored these students and prepared them for this competition include Travis Barrett from Thomas County Central High School, Michael Warmack from Valdosta High School, Brad Braswell from Miller County High School, Mark Starr from Cairo High School, Karl Kemper from Thomasville High School, Myles Foister and CJ Denton from Colquitt County High School, and Jace Tison from Worth County High School.
SRTC was honored to sponsor this event, giving high school students exposure to cutting-edge welding technologies and innovative techniques, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this industry.
SRTC offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get graduates quickly into a desired career, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of its students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205 - 3449.
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