Lake Land College hosts first High School Welding Competition

At left, Lake Land College Welding Instructor/Program Coordinator James Crowder presents the 1st Place Senior award to Brayden Nickle, South Vermillion High School, during the first-ever Laker Connect Dual Credit High School Welding Competition. For finishing first in the competition, Nickle received a $500 Lake Land College tuition and fee waiver.

 LLCC

MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — Lake Land College’s Laker Connect Dual Credit program held its inaugural High School Welding Competition, giving 55 local students the chance to showcase their skills and win prizes.

Brayden Nickle of South Vermillion High School took top senior honors, earning a $500 tuition waiver and professional welding equipment.

Other senior winners included Colten Cottrell (second) and Evan Lay (third), while junior winners were Landen Miller (first), Jase Martin (second), and Michael Althoff (third).

All recognized students received professional welding tools donated by industry partners.

Participating high schools included Charleston, Cowden-Herrick, Cumberland, Effingham, Mattoon, Neoga, Paris, Ramsey, Shelbyville, South Vermillion, Stewardson-Strasburg, Sullivan, and Teutopolis.

Industry partners, including Boilermakers, Bruder Tank, Evapco, Irwin Seating, McFarland Steel, New York Blower, Safety Storage, and Weldstar, sponsored the event and served as judges.

Lake Land College officials said they hope to grow the competition in the coming years.

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