(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – The high school welding competition scene is heating up across Texas. What began at Texas State Technical College’s Breckenridge campus as a small event during the pandemic has evolved into a high-stakes “build-off” spectacle.
“I am glad to see more people coming to our event in Breckenridge,” said Stephen Hope, the TSTC welding program team lead. “This project — a bench — is the hardest we have ever done. It is good to see the quality of welders here who are setting the standard.”
Jacob Gonzales, a TSTC welding instructor, said the goal is to make the competition as accessible as possible for high schools. The event is free for schools; TSTC provides the materials while the visiting teams provide their own equipment and tools. Gonzales even prepared a complimentary fajita lunch for students and faculty.
The event relies heavily on the support of industry partners to provide prizes for the top three teams and door prizes for all participants.
“Without all of our industry partners, this competition would not be possible,” Gonzales said.
One of those partners is B&J Welding Supply. Brent Houtchens, an outside sales consultant at the company’s Lubbock office, has watched the event’s rapid expansion firsthand.
“At B&J, we are true proponents of the youth and the education they get,” Houtchens said. “Over the last three years, we have seen this event grow and seen younger students get involved.”
In the latest competition, Princeton Independent School District took home the top honor, followed by Lorenzo and Merkel. Proving that skill isn’t limited by age, the Lorenzo team included an eighth-grade student.
“These are my favorite types of competitions,” said Austin Webster, the Princeton FFA advisor.
The Princeton team chose to go beyond the standard requirements. Instead of welding a school nameplate onto their bench, the students dedicated the project to a fallen FFA member, Tori Morris. The memorial bench will be placed in front of Blue Barn Pet Resort, a business owned by Morris’ parents.
Webster said the bench project was the perfect way to wrap up the welding season.
“This was only our fifth competition, and I can see how much they have improved,” Webster said. “I like to see these kinds of competitions for students, it is a good measuring tool for teamwork and skills.”
While the high schools competed for titles, TSTC graduates Justin Andrews and Alejandro Franco Jr. built the showcase bench for the event.
“I am proud of myself and Justin for doing a quality piece,” Franco said. “I hope to see this competition continue to grow and teams come back. We want to showcase what we offer in Breckenridge.”
Registration for the summer and fall semesters is underway. For more information about TSTC, visit TSTC.edu.