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Welding Rodeo Winners

Written By: Ian Silvester

Students from nearly a dozen River Valley high schools competed in this year’s Welding Rodeo at the University of ºÚË¿ÄÚÉäÊÓƵ – Fort Smith, presented by the Welding Technology Department of the ºÚË¿ÄÚÉäÊÓƵ College of Business and Industry.

Friday, March 31, 2023, was the fifth year in a row for the rodeo. The event has grown each year – this year, more than 50 students from nine different high schools participated in the competition.

Currently enrolled welding students in the Western ºÚË¿ÄÚÉäÊÓƵ Technical Center (WATC) served as group leaders and helped judge the event. Competitors were tasked with completing a T-joint weld using two different techniques, ARC welding, and MIG welding. Students also took a written general knowledge and safety exam and were given guided tours of the ºÚË¿ÄÚÉäÊÓƵ campus.

The top three winners received ºÚË¿ÄÚÉäÊÓƵ scholarships and welding equipment and tools this year. Coming in first place, receiving a $2,000 scholarship, torch set, welding hood, grinder, and tool bag with tools was Clark McElrath from Western Yell County High School. Second place went to Zane George of Western Yell County High School, and he went home with a welding hood, grinder, tool bag, and tools, as well as a $1,500 scholarship. Rounding out the top three with a $1,000 scholarship, welding hood, and grinder was Angel Alvarez of Danville High School.

Amanda Seidenzahl, WATC director, and Jason Keyes, technical instructor, say the event was successful, thanks to the generous support of businesses in the welding industry. Airgas and Ryerson Metal provided the students PPE and the metal used, respectively. Monetary donations came from HyTrol, Boyd Metal, Mid-South Steam Boiler, Multi-Craft, and Advanced Mechanical Automation Co.

• Tags:
• WATC
• Welding
• College of Business and Industry
• Welding Rodeo