Sparks were flying at the Warren County Career Center Wednesday May 21st as senior welding students competed in the third annual Welding Competition; a grassroots event aimed at promoting skilled trades in Warren County.

This year’s grand prize winner, Ayden Downey, walked away with $1,000.00, but organizers say the event is about much more than money.

“It's really nice that people outside of the Career Center took interest in our students and made this competition happen," stated Nate McNett, WCCC Welding and Technology Instructor.  "It's a great way for the students to experience real-life work deadlines and the top three competitors get a really nice payday fat the end of it."  

The challenge required students to complete a complex welding project under time and safety constraints, judged on precision, technique, and overall craftsmanship.

"This competition is really great. It helps you out in the real world, teaches you how to work with your hands - and they are helping kids out," stated senior Ayden Downey.

"It doesn't just teach you how to lay a nice bead, it also teaches you how to really put something together," added fellow senior Cole Yurchisin.

Currently, the event is limited to seniors enrolled in the welding program at WCCC, but organizers are looking to expand it to include juniors in the near future—turning it into a two-year opportunity for skill-building and career preparation.

"This really began as a completely grass roots effort," stated event organizer Jim Simonsen. "It began three years ago after we all worked on an old model T and auctioned it off, giving the proceeds to a winner from the first competition and since then we were able to get sponsors on board and donations, so now we can have it for the next ten years." 

All three winners from this year's event were students from Eisenhower High School: Ayden Downey, Cole Yurchisin, and William Whitmore.

Thanks to support from local sponsors, the competition is now funded for the next ten years, securing its place as a key part of the school’s push to promote vocational training.

Organizers say they hope the event continues to inspire more students to explore career opportunities in welding and other trades.