Dual Enrollment Students Perform Well in Welding Competition

Two Dual Enrollment students from Apalachee High School showed their skills during a student welding competition sponsored by the American Welding Society at Gwinnett Technical College on November 19. Emmanuel Arroyo and Uriel Lopez performed well in the tough competition in spite of having little previous experience with one of the complicated welding processes they had to complete.

Both were exemplary in activities involving Gas Metal Arc Welding, a certificate they both earned as members of the first BCSS welding cohort at Lanier Technical College. The more difficult part was in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, a class they had not taken yet. Both practiced the necessary skills with their Lanier Tech welding instructor, Mr. Tom Rieger, on days outside class. The competition in this area involved welding in the flat, vertical, and overhead positions.

They were the youngest of the competitors. Emmanuel Arroyo took 3rd place winning an electronic welding helmet. Uriel Lopez was very close to a 3rd place finish. The judges said it was very close for all of the participants. Other colleges represented were Chattahoochee Tech, Fortis College, Georgia Trade School.

Mr. Rieger said, “I’m very proud of them both for even going to the competition and for how well they did. It was a great learning experience for them both. They are both great students and fine young men.” Both were members of the first welding cohort and completed certificates in Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder and Gas Metal Arc Welder at the end of summer semester. Both are now pursuing the welding diploma and are interns through the Youth Apprenticeship/Work Based Learning Program at Caterpillar.

The competition will be featured in an upcoming edition of "Welding Journal," a magazine published by the American Welding Society.