Arkansas State University-Newport and Ozarc Gas hosted the 11th annual Weldathon on Feb. 20, 2020, at ASUN-Jonesboro with 14 area high schools participating. Thanks to industry partners and sponsors, more than $30,000 in prizes and scholarships were awarded to winners of the Weldathon along with door prizes. 

Teams of three competed and were given three hours to build a metal work table. Students were given blueprints and necessary materials to test their welding skills and knowledge. Armorel, Cross County, Greene County Tech, Hoxie, Marked Tree, NEA Career and Tech Center, Paragould, Piggott, Rector, Rivercrest, Riverside, Valley View and Westside High Schools participated in the event. 

First place in the Weldathon went to Rector High School. The school won a Fronius TransSteel 2700 Welding System. Yancey Bailey, Lastin Lindsey and Dillon Mobley each received a $1,500 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with a Fronius Hood, backpack, Steiner gloves and a welding jacket. 

Marked Tree High School took second place. The school won a Fronius TransSteel 2200 Welding System. Lane Thompson, Luke Kelly and Zander Criswell each received $1,000 scholarships to ASU-Newport in addition to a Fronius Welding Hood, backpack, Steiner gloves and a welding jacket. 

Third place in the Weldathon went to Greene County Tech High School. The school won a Fronius TransSteel 2200 Welding System. Dylan Bryson, Colton Martin and Drake Williams each received a $500 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with an Esab Welding Hood, Fronius Jacket and Steiner gloves.

Fourth place went to Rivercrest High School, and Valley View High School received fifth place. 

"The NEA Weldathon was started more than 10 years ago by ASUN and Ozarc Gas to promote the welding industry to our local high schools," said Ken Beach, Associate Dean for Applied Science/Senior Instructor of Welding at ASUN. "Students are required to demonstrate all the skill sets used in the welding industry to produce a usable item that will be taken back to their home shop. This allows students to show off their work to future students and allows the instructor to critique the part and help them know where they need to focus their educational efforts. The NEA Weldathon is also a great opportunity to connect students with the industries that are looking for a highly skilled workforce. These companies need welders, and this is an opportunity to put potential employees right in front of them." 

This competition would not be possible without industry supporters and sponsors. Diamond sponsors for the Weldathon were Arkansas State University-Newport, Fronius USA, LLC., The Greenbrier Companies, Ozarc Gas Equipment & Supply, Inc., RPB and the Workforce Training Consortium. Platinum sponsors included Ace Industrial Products, Bohler Welding Products, Esab Welding and Cutting, Hytrol and Nucor. Gold sponsors were Lincoln Electric Company and Weldcote Abrasives. Silver sponsors were American Torch Tip Co., Colson Group, Great Dane Trailers and JMS Metal Services. Bronze sponsors included Employee Solutions, Fastenal, Gateway Sales, Profax-Lenco, Scotchman and Wire Wizard.

For more photos from the event click here.