More than 51 students from 17 area high schools converged on the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University-Newport Feb 22 for the ninth-annual Northeast Arkansas Weldathon, hosted by ASU-Newport and Ozarc Gas.

Over $30,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to the schools and team members who participated.  The purpose of the contest was to provide the competitors with the opportunity to demonstrate practical and theoretical application, and showcase their skills and knowledge in the industry as it pertains to safety-oriented welding and metal fabrication.  Competitors were tested on safety and skills in print reading, welding knowledge, MIG welding and fabrication.

 
First Place (from left): Elijah Williams, Zack Williamson, Bruce Ratliff and James Potter
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First place in the high school division went to Paragould High School.  Team members, under the direction of advisor James Potter, were Zack Williamson, Bruce Ratliff and Eli Williams.  Team members received renewable $1,500 scholarships to ASU-Newport, first-place medals and Fronius gear packs.  Paragould High School was awarded a Fronius Transsteel welding system.

 
Second Place (from left): Chance Ainsworth, Aaron Sherrill and Tanner Austin
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Second place went to Rivercrest High School, represented by Tanner Austin, Chance Ainsworth and Aaron Sherrill and advisor Dave Diagostino.  In addition to a $1,000 renewable scholarship to Arkansas State University-Newport, the team received second-place medals and Fronius gear packs.  Rivercrest High School was also presented with a Fronius Transsteel welding system.

 
Third Place (from left): Dakota Moore, Henry Laxton, Matthew McGinnis and Bradley Karnes
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Finishing third was Cross County High School, represented by students Dakota Moore, Bradley Karnes and Matthew McGinnis and advisor Henry Laxton.  In addition to a $500 renewable scholarship to Arkansas State University-Newport, each student received third-place medals and a Lincoln student gear pack.  Cross County High School was awarded an ESAB Cutmaster 82 plasma welding system.

Diamond sponsors for the Weldathon were Arkansas State University-Newport, Ozarc Gas and Equipment, American Railcar Industries, Fronius USA, Hytrol Conveyor and the Workforce Training Consortium.

Platinum sponsors were Ace Industrial Products, Bohler UTP, Nucor Steel, Pferd Incorporated and Trinity Industries.

Gold sponsors were Anchor Packaging and Lincoln Electric.  Silver sponsors were American Torch Tip, Employee Solutions, ESAB/Victor and Great Dane Trailers.  Bronze sponsors were Bernard Welding, Industrial Sales and Marketing, Hypertherm, Riceland and Weldsafe Inc.