Five regional high schools were represented at this year’s welding skills competition at Monroe County Community College. The competition was created to reward excellence in welding skills for students enrolled in secondary welding programs and encourage pursuit of higher education technical programs like those offered at MCCC. Presentations from American Welding Society Detroit Section and Wayne State University also emphasized the importance of postsecondary education and opportunities within in the welding industry.
The schools represented included Airport High School (Carleton, MI), Bedford High School (Bedford Township, MI), Flat Rock High School (Flat Rock, MI), Monroe High School (Monroe, MI), and South & West Washtenaw Consortium (Saline, MI).
The MCCC Welding Technology Program awarded scholarships allocated from The Foundation at Monroe County Community College to the top three winners in Combined Process Welding category. Ryan Coshatt, FRHS, won first place and $1,000 scholarship; Elliott Bell, SWWC, received a $500 scholarship for second place; and a $250 scholarship went to Ben Pitu, AHS, for third place. The scholarships were made possible from a gift the Alro Steel/Alvin Glick Foundation. (Picture 1 below)
AWS Detroit Section and the AWS Foundation donated $3,000 to allow for a $1,000 first place award in the three individual categories of welding the students competed in.
Tristan Haynes, FRHS, placed first in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) category; Mikala Sposito and Ellis Meloche, SWWC, won the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) categories, respectively. (Picture 2 below)
A total of 20 high school seniors participated in this year’s event. Coaches/instructors for the high school teams are Chase Dowler (AHS), Don Replogle (BHS), Terrance Wegienka (FRHS), Glenn Zorn (MHS) and Blake Ballou (SWWC). (Picture 3 below)
In addition to the scholarships above, several local businesses and organizations donated prizes, served as professional judges, or spoke to the participants, including Baker’s Gas & Welding Supplies, DTE, Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric, UA Local 671 and Royal Trailers.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.
(left to right) Stephen Hasselbach, MCCC welding instructor, with the winners of the Combined Process category, with Ryan Coshatt, Flat Rock High School, won first prize and $1,000 scholarship; Ben Pitu, Airport High School, third prize and a $250 scholarship; Elliott Bell, Saline High School, $500 scholarship for second prize; Parmeshwar Coomar, dean of the Applied Science and Engineering Technology Division; and Dr. Kojo Quartey, president of MCCC.
(left to right) Stephen Hasselbach, MCCC welding instructor, with Ellis Meloche of Saline High School, Tristan Haynes of Flat Rock High School Mikala Sposito, receiving their prize awards from Phillip Temple, AWS District 11 Director.
Welding skills competition group photo.