USD 305 welding students participate in Missouri Welding Institute event

<b>Salina South's Trevor Johnson, third from left in the top row, placed ninth out of 400 in the Missouri Welding Institute's (MWI) annual welding competition.</b> Photos courtesy Salina USD 305 — **Salina South's Trevor Johnson, third from left in the top row, placed ninth out of 400 in the Missouri Welding Institute's (MWI) annual welding competition.** Photos courtesy Salina USD 305

By SALINA POST

Five seniors in the welding program at Salina Central High School recently competed in the Missouri Welding Institute's (MWI) annual welding competition, while eight others attended as observers.

"We went to MWI not only to compete but also to learn," said Cole Dow, Central High School welding instructor. "It was a long day with very strict judging, but the USD 305 team had a terrific time."

Students from both Salina Central and Salina South High School participate in the welding program at Salina Central, according to information from Salina USD 305.

Salina South senior Trevor Johnson placed ninth out of 400 in the welding competition.

All contestants received $1,000 scholarships and MWI welding jackets. Additionally, several students won hoods and welding jackets from Outlaw Hoods.

<b>Salina Central's Grant Sheppard and Salina South's Kelsi Mickelson and Bryson Mitchell prepare to enter the 90-minute weld off of position 3F 7018 uphill 4 layer weave and 10 pass stringer competition.</b> — Salina Central's Grant Sheppard and Salina South's Kelsi Mickelson and Bryson Mitchell prepare to enter the 90-minute weld off of position 3F 7018 uphill 4 layer weave and 10 pass stringer competition.

"All of the students who came as observers graded the welds as an additional exercise so as to learn more about weld deficiencies and how to improve their own welding techniques. Everyone participated in the job fair as a real-world exercise about how to talk to future employers," Cole said.

In addition, two of the students from the USD 305 program received open job offers of $28 to start after they graduate, Cole reported.