ESAB announces winners of 2015 student cutting, welding, and essay contest

Winners from Denton LaGrone ATC constructed a set of eight benches, each representing different ATC departments, to seat a class of 24 students outdoors.

Florence, S.C.-based ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has announced the six winners of its 2015 “A Cut Above” contest for students in welding and cutting programs at secondary and postsecondary schools.

Three individual winners won a $250 cash prize for their essays describing how cutting and welding have influenced their lives. In addition, each member of three winning teams will receive $500 for their submission of a metal fabrication project that incorporates both welding and cutting. All schools associated with the winners also won a cutting, welding, and gas control package valued at $4,000.

The 2015 individual winners are:

• Adele Tantalo - Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Newbern, Tenn. (instructor James Daniels)
• Roxanne Desrosiers - SAIT Polytechnic, Calgary, Alta. (instructor Tim Richardson)
• Carly Loving - McMinnville High School, McMinnville, Ore. (instructor Chip Ford)

The 2015 team winners are:

• Bobby Wallace, Eve Torres, Braden King, Daniel Teniente, and Andy Ochoa - Denton LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex, Denton, Texas (instructor Rebecca Hendricks)
• Austin Erickson, Sam Moore, Pedro Rosario, and Jamison Dimeco - Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough, Mass. (instructor Chris Wittmier)
• Mitchell Cutsforth, Chris Smith, Nic Ostrander, and Andrew Meyer - Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich. (instructor David Murray)

Tantalo wrote that welding helped her learn patience by forcing her to slow down and focus on what was in front of her. Loving plans to apply her welding skills and knowledge to a structural engineering position. Desrosiers wrote about feeling inspired—not discouraged—by unsupportive friends who told her that welding “is a man’s job” and that she “won’t be as good as them.” She responded by working harder.

The Ferris State team helped to erect a 35-ft. bell tower that represents three local churches joining together to become one stronger congregation. Winners from Denton LaGrone ATC constructed a set of eight benches, each representing different ATC departments, to seat a class of 24 students outdoors. Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School students built a bulldozer to represent Victor’s legacy in building and maintaining heavy equipment in the construction and mining trades.