On Thursday, November 3, over 50 students representing FFA chapters from schools in Perry, Rush Springs, Pauls Valley, Colcord, Empire, Durant, Hayworth, Comanche, Madill, Dickson, Thackerville, Carl Albert, and Van Alstyne, Texas, rolled into town to compete in Marietta FFA’s first ever welding contest.
In the competition, visiting students were given blueprints and materials to construct two projects in a set amount of time. Prior to beginning the contest, students were required to pass a test over welding safety and tool identification.
The first project, a rocket stove, was constructed outdoors with a portable arc welder. The second project, a T-post puller, was built indoors with a Mig welder. Projects were judged by local welders and builders on the quality of construction and adherence to blueprints.
Van Alstyne, Thackerville, and Comanche teams, in first, second, and third places, received prizes like chop saws, welding helmets, tool sets, and grinders, all designed to help them perfect their craft, becoming better fabricators and welders.
In addition to the welding contest, all students present were allowed to enter cutting torch races, where they were timed on an oxy-acetylene torch with a cut on a piece of 4x4x1/4 angle iron. The fastest 30 contestants advanced to the finals round where they went head-to-head in a single elimination bracket. Those winners from Pauls Valley, Van Alstyne, and Durant also received prizes.
Over $3,500 in prizes and buckles were earned by students throughout the day.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., lunch was served to all judges, contestants, advisors, and the many community members who were there to support the contest.
The lunch was under the direction of Derrie Minyard, who, with a little help his friends and several local businesses, served a feast far beyond what Marietta FFA advisors Josh Bazor and Kelsi Kamesch had requested.
“The simple hamburger and hotdog lunch that I suggested, which is something I’ve never seen at one of these contests, turned into a wonderful sit-down meal on the bed of a welding rig. It’s amazing,” said Bazor. “The outpouring of support from the community and businesses has been overwhelming and we are so grateful.”
Minyard, one of about 30 adult volunteers at the contest, was thrilled to be there and to be able to contribute to the day’s success.
“I’m tickled to be here helping,” Minyard said. “Mr. Bazor wasn’t my ag teacher, but he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s a good guy and a good leader for these kids, and when he asked me to help, I was glad to do it. I think it’s a great deal, and we’ve already been talking about how we can make it better next year.”
Minyard said that he requested the help of several local businesses, and all were pleased to support the contest. Guests were treated not just to lunch, but also to delicious desserts donated by Chef Rodney at the taste as well as cookies from Robertsons, these donations just a couple among many made by community members.
In addition to several visiting community members, representatives from James Supplies, CM Truck Beds, and Tulsa Welding Schools were present at the contest.
Bazor, who’s already thinking about next year, intends to do a job fair to encourage more students to go into the welding and fabrication industry.
“Not everybody can go to college, or needs to,” Bazor said, “but most kids can learn to weld and take skills like these and get a good job.”
The event, which lasted all day was a success beyond what Bazor and Kamesh had expected or planned for.
“We had so many people here today helping us to make this event a huge success, and we couldn’t have done it without that help,” said Bazor. “The support that our chapter gets from this community is just fantastic, and we are so thankful for it.”