ASU-Newport Holds Sixth Annual Weldathon
JONESBORO, Ark. (3-26-2014) - More than 45 students from 13 area high schools and one vocational college converged on the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University-Newport Friday for the sixth-annual Northeast Arkansas Weldathon, hosted by ASUN and Ozarc Gas.
Taking first place in the competition was Arkansas Northeastern College, represented by students from Rivercrest High School. Those pictured are (from left): Ozarc Gas Regional Manager James Garner, ANC Advisor David Davis, students Zachary Brock, Dustin Henard and Zeith Shepperson, ANC Advisor William Pelts and ASUN Instructor of Welding Ken Beach.
Over $34,000 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, both through practical and theoretical application, their skills and knowledge in the industry relevant to safety-oriented welding and metal fabrication. Competitors were tested on safety and skills in MIG welding, oxy fuel cutting and fabrication, including layout and fit-up of materials.
Finishing second in the competition was Sloan-Hendrix High School. Those pictured are (from left): Ozarc Gas Regional Manager James Garner, Sloan Hendrix Students Quentin Freeman, Andrew Washburn and Dyllan Lawrence, SHHS Advisor Mason Hudson and ASUN Instructor of Welding Ken Beach.
Taking first place was Arkansas Northeastern College, which was represented by Rivercrest High School students Zachary Brock, Dustin Henard and Zeith Shepperson, under the direction of ANC instructor William Pelts. All students were awarded $1,000 renewable scholarships to ASU-Newport, first-place medals, a Fronius helmet, backpack and tools. ANC was awarded a Fronius TransSteel 2500 Mig Welder.
Finishing third in the competition was the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center. Those pictured are (from left): Ozarc Gas Regional Manager James Garner, NEACTC Students Johnny Hemminger, Kory Gibson and Blake Woods, NEACTC Advisor Rick Barker and ASUN Instructor of Welding Ken Beach.
Second place went to Sloan-Hendrix High School, represented by Quinton Freeman, Andrew Mashburn, Dyllan Lawrence and advisor Mason Hudson. In addition to a $750 scholarship to Arkansas State University-Newport, each student received second-place medals and a Lincoln gear pack including helmet and apparel. Sloan-Hendrix High School was presented with a Miller AutoSet 211 Mig Welder.
Finishing fourth in the competition was Walnut Ridge High School. Those pictured are (from left): Ozarc Gas Regional Manager James Garner, Walnut Ridge Students Jessie Webb, Kyle Nunley and Chase Flippo, WRHS Advisor Joey Rice and ASUN Instructor of Welding Ken Beach.
Finishing third was the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center, represented by students Johnny Hemminger, Kory Gibson, Blake Woods and advisor Rick Barker. In addition to a $500 scholarship to Arkansas State University-Newport, each student received second-place medals and a Lincoln gear pack including helmet and apparel. The Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center was awarded a Thermal Arc AC/DC Tig Welder.
Finishing fifth in the competition was Westside High School. Those pictured are (from left): Ozarc Gas Regional Manager James Garner, Westside students Landon Scott, Will Alexander and Dustin Nichols, WHS Advisor Josh Parks and ASUN Instructor of Welding Ken Beach.
Fourth place in the competition went to Walnut Ridge High School, represented by students Chase Flippo, Jessie Webb, Kyle Nunley and advisor Joey Rice. Each student received a Fronius helmet and backpack and a fourth-place medal, while WRHS received a Lincoln Power Mig 180C Mig Welder.
Diamond sponsors for the event were Arkansas State University-Newport, Ozarc Gas and Equipment, American Railcar Industries, The Workforce Training Consortium and Fronius USA.
Finishing fifth on the day was Westside High School, represented by students Will Alexander, Landon Scott, Dustin Nichols and advisor Josh Parks. The students received a Tweco Helmet, Lincoln duffle bag and a fifth-place medal, with Westside High School receiving a Tweco Fabricator 141i multi-process welder.
Platinum sponsors for the Weldathon were Ace Industrial Products, Camfil-Farr, Colson Caster, Engines Inc., ESAB/Victor, Lincoln Electric, Nucor Yamato, Pferd Abrasives and Trinity Industries.
"We were very pleased with the turnout and participation in this year's Weldathon," said James Garner, Regional Manager for Ozarc Gas. "We could not ask for a better facility and better partner to co-host this event with, and we look forward to doing it again next year. Part of the mission of the Weldathon is to enhance the image of welding as a professional career choice, and I certainly think that today's competition achieved that goal."
Diamond sponsors for the Weldathon were Arkansas State University-Newport, Ozarc Gas and Equipment, American Railcar Industries, The Workforce Training Consortium and Fronius USA.
Platinum sponsors were Ace Industrial Products, Camfil-Farr, Colson Caster, Engines Inc., ESAB/Victor, Lincoln Electric, Nucor Yamato, Pferd Abrasives and Trinity Industries.
Systems Contracting was a Gold sponsor of the event, while Koike Aronson, Norton Abrasives, and Nucor Hickman were Silver Sponsors.
Bronze sponsors were Alexander's Machine, Bernard, Great Dane, ISM and MK Morse.
"We are extremely thankful to our sponsors, Ozarc Gas and our students and staff at the ASUN-Jonesboro campus," said Ken Beach, Instructor of Welding at ASUN. "It takes a great deal of effort and time to make this event run smoothly, and without all of them, none of this would be possible."
Complete results of the Weldathon are as follows:
- Arkansas Northeastern College/Rivercrest High School - Zachary Brock, Dustin Henard, Zeith Shepperson and advisor William
- Sloan-Hendrix High School - Andrew Mashburn, Dyllan Lawrence, Quinton Freeman and advisor Mason Hudson.
- Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center - Blake Woods, Johnny Hemminger, Kory Gibson and advisor Rick Barker.
- Walnut Ridge High School - Chase Flippo, Jessie Webb, Kyle Nunley and advisor Joey Rice.
- Westside High School - Will Alexander, Landon Scott, Dustin Nichols and advisor Josh Parks.
- Piggott High School - K.B. Toombs, Brandon Hoggart, Ethan Murray and advisor Casey Simpson.
- Rector High School - Blane Murray, Matt Henson, Isaac Richardson and advisor Hannah Grey.
- Valley View High School - Brandon Perkins, Andy Watkins, James Aspinwall and advisor Caliem Morris.
- Newport High School - Matt Davis, Luke Runyon, Matt Long and advisor Lucas Anderson.
- Brookland High School - Matthew Monteforte, Dustin Henard, Zeith Shepperson and advisor Joe Smith.
- Riverside High School - Matthew Turner, Kollin Stone, Jacob Craig and advisor Marty Wynn.
- Cross County High School - Harrison Young, Drew Ballard, Sam Futrell and advisor Henry Laxton.
- Marked Tree High School - Zach Lykins, Brandon Gilley, Tyler Gann and advisor Chad Stoddard.
- Paragould High School - Spencer Martin, Tanner Cole, Keaton Massey and advisor James Potter.
Arkansas State University-Newport is a degree granting community college with campuses in Jonesboro, Marked Tree and Newport, Arkansas. It is a part of the Arkansas State University System. For more information about what is going on at ASU-Newport, visit us on our Facebook page atwww.Facebook.com/ASUNewport, where you will find news and photos highlighting achievements and events at all three campuses. Follow us on Twitter at @ASUNewport for quick information about what is going on at ASUN.
This and other releases about Arkansas State University-Newport can be found online at www.asun.edu