March 12, 2026 – Lincoln-Way Central Welding Lab
Lincoln-Way East, West, and Central Welding and SkillsUSA students hosted their largest event of the year on March 12 at the Lincoln-Way Central welding lab. A total of 88 students competed across three divisions in this year’s welding contest.
The event awarded a record-breaking $130,000+ in prizes, awards, and scholarships to welding contestants and SkillsUSA members.
$10,000 in financial scholarships, tools, and equipment was awarded to 29 students pursuing careers in the building trades, technical school, or college.
The top five competitors in each of the three divisions received prizes valued at over $18,000.
Universal Technical Institute awarded each contestant a $1,200 scholarship (totaling $105,600).
The American Welding Society awarded an additional $1,000 scholarship.
Over the past six years, SkillsUSA and Lincoln-Way Welding have donated more than $201,000 to SkillsUSA members, student welders, and various charities through this annual district event. Past beneficiaries include the PFC Aaron Toppen Foundation, Illinois USO, American Heart Association, and the J & J Memorial Foundation.
This year’s contest welcomed the largest audience to date, with approximately 500 attendees, including guest speakers, industry partners, judges, parents, and administrators. It continues to be the Career and Technical Education Department’s most exciting event of the year.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Chicago Pipefitters Local 597 • Boilermakers Local 1 • Universal Technical Institute • American Combustion Service Inc. • Big Daddy Scrap • Fronius International
Gold Sponsors
Weldstar • Joliet Junior College Welding Technology • HTH Mechanical Service • Northern Illinois Steel • Nooter Mechanical
Silver Sponsors
Cosgrove Construction • Trails Edge Restaurant • Altorfer Caterpillar • Life Purpose Chiropractic • Fitness Premier Manhattan • Frankfort Firefighters Local 4338 • Reicher Construction • National Tube Supply • 143 Rigging • Durkin Electric • Maertin Heating and Cooling • Ozinga Concrete • Berkots Superfoods • Phillips Chevrolet
Competition Results
1st-Year Students — Intermediate Division
George Ludolph – Central
John Wilkey – West
Donvan Porter – Central
Jose Ochoa – West
Jack Sroka – Central
2nd-Year Students — Advanced Division
Luke Heinen – West
Isaiah Faber – West
Logan Bohne – East
Chris Carrillo – East
Gavin Larson – West
3rd-Year Students — Pro Division
Nathan Marino – Central
Dillon Roche – East
Jake Tapella – Central
Kyle Sydor – West
Alex Popow – Central
SkillsUSA Raffle
Students sold raffle tickets for nine major prizes valued at over $7,000, including three HJM Warrior Electric All‑Terrain Bikes, three JBL PartyBox speakers, and three Yeti 35 coolers. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets!
Welding Program Overview
Lincoln-Way currently enrolls approximately 275 welding students district-wide. Four welding instructors teach Welding Occupations 1, 2, and 3 full‑year courses:
Jason Visny, Heath Raley, Timothy McDavid, and Daymon Gast.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a dynamic, career‑oriented leadership organization dedicated to preparing students for success at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, and in their communities. Its programs build personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics, shaping responsible, highly skilled individuals who will become leaders in tomorrow’s workforce.