NEWPORT (Ark.) – Arkansas State University-Newport and Ozarc Gas hosted the 13th annual Weldathon on Feb. 16, 2022, at ASUN-Jonesboro with 45 students and 15 area high schools participating. Thanks to industry partners and sponsors, more than $20,000 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. This year, the competition introduced a new division for Vocational programs. NEA Career and Tech Center, ASUN's Ignite Academy, Buffalo Island Central, Bay, Cross County, Greene County Tech, Hillcrest, Marked Tree, Maynard, Paragould, Piggott, Rector, Riverside, Valley View and Westside High Schools participated in the event. 

High School Division Winners:

First place winners pictured from left: Instructor Alesia Fulton, Zander Criswell, William Constant and Logan Pigmon

 
First place in the High School division went to Marked Tree High School. The school won a Lincoln Power Mig 260 Welding Machine. Zander Criswell, William Constant and Logan Pigmon each received a $1,500 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with a ESAB auto-darkening helmet and a first place medal. 
 

Second place winners pictured from left: Instructor Michael Hollis, Eric Conway, Logan Emerline and Connor McCluskey

 
Rector High School took second place. The school won a Fronius TransSteel 2200 Welding System. Eric Conway, Logan Emerline and Connor McCluskey each received $1,000 scholarships to ASU-Newport in addition to a ESAB auto-darkening hood and a second place medal. 
 

Third place winners pictured from left: Instructor Ben Gander, Drake Williams, Keifer Forkum and Graden McRullar

Third place in the Weldathon went to Greene County Tech High School. The school won a Fronius TransSteel 2200 Welding System. Drake Williams, Keifer Forkum and Graden McRullar each received a $500 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with a Weldcote auto-darkening welding hood and a third place medal.

Vocational Division:

First place winners pictured from left: Instructor Henry Laxton, Luis Lopez, James Bolt and Garrett Suttles

First place in the Vocational division went to the NEA Career and Tech Center. Luis Lopez, James Bolt and Garrett Suttles each received a $1,500 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with a Lincoln auto-darkening welding hood and a first place medal.
 

Second place winners pictured from left: Instructor Michael Deckard, John Waters, Johnathan Govea and Kanenn Williams

Second place in the Vocational division went to ASUN's Ignite Academy. John Waters, Johnathan Govea and Kanenn Williams each received a $1,000 scholarship to ASU-Newport along with a Lincoln auto-darkening welding hood and a first place medal.

"The NEA Weldathon was started 13 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, FMH Conveyors, Fronius USA, LLC., The Greenbrier Companies and Ozarc Gas Equipment & Supply, Inc.. Platinum sponsors included Ace Industrial Products, ESAB Welding and Cutting, Lincoln Electric Company, Nucor Steel, Trinity Rail and Workforce Training Consortium. Silver sponsors were Great Dane Trailers and Southern Cast Products. Bronze sponsors included Prodfax/Lenco, Profax-Lenco,Scotchman Industries and Service Specialists, LLC.

For more photos from the event click here.