Crest High Reigns Supreme at CCC’s Annual Welding Competition
The energy was electric (and the sparks literal) at Cleveland Community College’s Fourth Annual High School Welding Competition on Friday, May 9! Students from four area high schools went head-to-head in a timed welding challenge—and once again, Crest High School came out on top.
This Year’s Challenge:
Students were asked to weld a ¼-inch plate at a 90-degree angle to a 6-inch plate using SMAW and GMAW processes. They had 2.5 hours to complete their work, which was judged on precision and execution by Curtis Rippy (Maco) and Preston Bone (Digitrol).
🎓 $500 Welding Scholarships Awarded to One Top Student From Each School:
- Burns: Harrison Waters – Gene Borders Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- Crest: Tucker Swofford – Michael David Scott Parsons Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- Kings Mountain: Colt Dixon – Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland County Annual Scholarship
- Shelby: Rauzel Guel – Gabe Dibruno Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Top Individual Winners:
🥇 Tucker Swofford (Crest)
– Award: Welding bag with DeWalt cordless drill, flashlight, gloves, pliers, wrenches
🥈 Carter Bryant (Crest)
– Award: Welding sleeves, level, gloves
🥉 Oscar Morlais (Crest)
– Award: Magnet, rod holder, file
All participants received a prize pack: a customized welding hood featuring their school’s mascot, welding cap, gloves, safety glasses, and a cooler bag.
A New Tradition Begins
CCC welding instructor Michael Beaty debuted a custom-welded traveling plaque to honor the winning team. The plaque will live at Crest High until next year’s competition.
Quote of the Day
“I’m very proud of them. This is a chance for them to showcase their skills. This competition is all about the kids.”
— Wes Stevens, Crest High Welding Instructor
🙌 Thanks to Our Sponsors
Special thanks to Andy Oxy, Arc3, IMA Contractors, the CCC Foundation and the families of Michael David Scott Parsons, Gabe Dibruno, and Gene Borders, and Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland County for making this event possible.