1. Eli Heisinger, Lead/Deadwood High School
2. Jacob Schneider, Spearfish High School
3. Nathan Swets, Spearfish High School
4. Avery Jensen, Douglas High School
5. Clyde Primo, Lead/Deadwood High School
6. Stryder Greenfield, Lead/Deadwood High School
7. Colton Burtzlaff, Newell High School
8. Ethan Syles, Spearfish High School
9. Loman Hanson, Spearfish High School
10. Stran Williams, Highmore High School
WDTC hosts the 'Weld to Win' competition as an opportunity for high school students to showcase what they have learned in their welding classes and see how their welding knowledge and work compare to their peers. The participants also have a unique opportunity to view and utilize the college welding lab, speak with college instructors and current students, and meet potential employers.
Welding competition judges were Travis Gerlich from Coeur-Wharf Mine and Kolton Kissinger from Peabody Energy.
Weld to Win sponsors included Matheson, Twin City Fans, Marmen Energy, and Peabody Energy.
More about Western Dakota Technical College's Welding & Fabrication Program
The Western Dakota Technical College Welding and Fabrication Program has earned the reputation as one of the best in the state and nationally. The program received the American Technical Education Association (ATEA) Outstanding Technical Program Award in 2020. The same year, Program Instructor Troy Barry, a WDTC graduate, was a finalist for the ATEA Outstanding Faculty Award. WDTC has earned the SkillsUSA S.D. Champion Award for Welding in 2018, 2019, and 2021. It has also won the SkillsUSA S.D. Champion Award for Welding and Fabrication in 2019 and 2021. Cameron Paisley, WDTC Welding and Fabrication Student, won the SkillsUSA S.D. Champion Award in Welding Sculpture in 2021 and went on to win Silver in the division at SkillsUSA Nationals in 2021.
PHOTO CUTLINE:
Eli Heisinger, of Lead/Deadwood High School, left, placed first in Western Dakota Technical College's (WDTC) High School "Weld to Win" Competition. Michael Prugh, WDTC Welding and Fabrication Program Director, presented the top welding prize package to Eli.
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About Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-eight percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
