SIERRA VISTA — Cochise College held its 16th annual High School Welding Competition last Friday, April 26, with nearly 50 students participating from seven high schools across the state.
The welding department partners each year with Aztec Welding Supply, a branch of Phoenix Welding Supply, to offer prizes to the top students at the competition and hand out small welding “goodie bags” to all participants.
Douglas High School senior Dylan Guerrero participates in the cutting portion of the welding competition at Cochise College last week.
“They go out of their way at Aztec Welding Supply to make this happen for us,” said Randy Fox, the college’s technology department chair.
This year, the welding department also held a raffle for a torch set and safety gear, with proceeds benefitting the college’s SkillsUSA club. A welding supply vendor was also on site and offered a raffle giveaway of gloves, jackets and other supplies at the end of the competition.
Douglas High School agriculture education teacher Brita Groves, who has taught for the last five years in Douglas, brought her students to the competition for the fourth year in a row.
“I bring them because anytime they have a sense of competition, they work harder, they want to beat each other,” she said. “This is a chance for them to apply their skills outside of class, and it’s a good recruiting tool for Cochise College, to come here and see the facilities they have to offer.”
The first-place winner, receiving a gas metal arc welder as a prize, at this year’s competition was senior Von Zee from Page High School. Second place, and the torch outfit prize, went to Shane Thomas of Holbrook. Jennifer Bichitty, of Holbrook, placed third and Robert Todd, of Willcox, placed fourth, each receiving a grinder. Victor Trujillo of Skyline placed fifth and received a welding helmet. Eli Webster of Willcox took home sixth place and a welding jacket.
For more information about the Cochise College welding department, email Fox at foxr@cochise.edu.
Willcox High School senior Larae Harguess works on gas metal arc welding during competition at Cochise College last week.