LWC Seniors Alex Popow and Nathan Marino along with Junior Jacob Hein competed on Saturday Dec 13th at the UA Local 597 training facility in Mokena at their annual welding competition. The opportunity provided both participants and parents with the opportunity to meet with industry professionals, explore career opportunities, and tour their facility.
100 students represented from 3 states came to compete in two competition categories: Intermediate and Advanced. All judging was based on weld quality, technique and safety. Prizes were awarded to the top 3 finishers. Competition was open to High School students and Jr. College students.
While the three young men fell just short of placing in the top 3 spots, their main goal was to demonstrate their commitment to wanting to become a skilled trade Pipefitter. For these students and others like them, this contest is an important first step in making their intentions clear to the Pipefitters that they want to become a Pipefitter right out of High School.
Lincoln-Way High School offers three levels of Welding Occupations to their students. Welding Occupations is the leading class for preparing students for high paying jobs in the skilled trades. A welding course may be taken beginning in a student’s Sophomore year of school. Lincoln-Way High schools have consistently been in the top performing welding programs in the state.
All three students are Mr. Daymon Gast’s advanced welding students in their 2nd and 3rd years of welding. Mr. Gast is a 23-year employee with the District.
