SCTC brings home first, third in welding contest

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Career and Technology Center recently competed in the Skills USA Welding Fabrication and Welding Technical Written district contest and brought home first and third place finishes.

The contest was represented by six career and technology centers: Doniphan, New Madrid, Kennett, Pemiscot, Poplar Bluff, and Sikeston. The top two places advance to the State contest at Linn State.

The Welding Fabrication contest was a timed event where students received a set of detailed prints, raw materials and three hours to finish it.

Twenty-seven students and nine teams participated in the fabrication contest. SCTC was able to take home first place in the fabrication event.

Keaton Johnson of Bernie High School, Ricky Hovis of Bloomfield High School and Landon Hawkins of Sikeston High School comprised SCTC's welding fabrication team that won first place.

"All the students came out and had a positive experience. It was a challenging contest that really pushed their limits as welding fabricators," said Brent Trankler, SCTC welding instructor.

In the welding written technical contest, Sikeston competed against 43 students and was able to take home third place, which was earned by Michael Manes of Richland High School.

"The written technical test is tough; you have to prepare for months and cram for a multitude of questions that cover every area of welding technology," Trankler said. "Welding technology is a very competitive and skilled trade. The students have to really commit themselves to the practice time to master the craft. These students have all shown they have what it takes to be successful in this career field, and I couldn't be more proud of them all."