CCC Hosts the Annual High School Welding Competition

Cleveland Community College (CCC) welcomed the county’s top young welding talent on Friday, May 1, 2026, for its fifth annual High School Welding Competition. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. and featured 16 student competitors—four each from Burns High School, Crest High School, Kings Mountain High School, and Shelby High School—demonstrating their technical skills and precision in a hands-on, industry-style challenge. The participants received specific guidelines to complete a weld assembly using the SMAW process, and the welds had to be performed in several different positions.

“This competition highlights not only the students’ technical abilities, but also their dedication, discipline, and readiness to enter the workforce,” said Bruce Mack, CCC’s vice president of academic affairs. “We’re proud to provide an opportunity that connects education with real-world industry expectations.”

Each participating school’s top competitor received a $500 scholarship to attend CCC’s welding program, made possible through generous community support. This year’s recipients are as follows:

Burns High School: Carter Hamrick — Margaret P. Goodman Endowed Scholarship

Crest High School: Zack Morrison — Michael David Scott Parsons Endowed Scholarship

Kings Mountain High School: Colt Dixon — Cleveland Association of Government Officials (CAGO) Endowed Scholarship

Shelby High School: Tristen Simpson — Gabe DiBruno Memorial Scholarship

Prizes for the overall winners of the competition.

1^st Place Prize – Carter Hamrick (Burns) – Lincoln welding hood, welding jacket, and Craftsman welding bag with tools and supplies (tape measure, gloves, pliers, level)

2^nd Place Prize – Braydin Payne (Burns) – Welding tote with tools and supplies (gloves, welding sleeves, level, tape measure, and pliers), and a welding hood.

3^rd Place Prize – Tristen Simpson (Shelby) – Welding tote with welding jacket tools and supplies (gloves, rod holder and file)

Top School – Burns High School

1^st Place Welding Plaque to be displayed at the winning school for the year (they will bring this back each year). Made by CCC welding instructor, Michael Beaty.

All participants received welding hoods, caps, and tumblers, while top finishers earned professional-grade equipment and gear. Burns High School was named Top School, earning a commemorative welding plaque crafted by CCC Welding Instructor Michael Beaty, to be displayed at the school for the coming year.

Special Thanks 

Sponsors: Arc3, IMA Contractors, Andy Oxy, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, Cleveland Community College Foundation, Family of Michael David Scott Parsons, Family of Gabe Dibruno, Family of Margaret Goodman, and Cleveland Association of Government Officials.

Industry Judges: Curtis Rippy, Certified Welding Inspector and Doug Toney, Certified Welding Inspector and ARC3 Representative

CCC Welding Instructors: Michael Beaty and Jonathon Johnson

CCS High School Welding Instructors: Erik Price and Kevin Owenby from KMHS, Rick Greene from Shelby, Brackston Bivins from Burns, and Wes Stevens from Crest.

Sharon Nivens for coordinating this event!