By Staff
On Nov. 15, 2022, DeKalb County Technology Center Welding Instructor Russell McFall took nine students to the 12th Annual Drake State Technical College Welding Competition in Huntsville, AL. Eight tech schools were represented at the competition, and each school was allowed to bring nine students—three in each division for advanced, intermediate, and beginner categories.
The advanced contest was for students with one or more years of tech school, which consisted of welding two projects with various Joint designs, multiple positions, and processes. The first project was carbon on steel material welded with SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes. The second project was on aluminum that was welded with the GTAW process.
The Intermediate contest was for students with at least one or more years of tech school. This contest entailed welding a carbon steel project with multiple joint designs and positions with only the GTAW process. The beginner contest was for new students taking tech school for the first time. The contest consisted of welding a carbon steel project in multiple positions and Joint designs using only the SMAW process but with two different types of rods.
Students were competing for the top 3 spots in each category. Multiple prizes of welding supplies worth hundreds of dollars were given to the students who placed in the top 3. Drake State Technical College and local businesses provided all Prizes.
In the Advanced category, Jonathan Ramirez from Crossville High School Placed 2nd, while in the Intermediate category Sebastian Torres from Crossville High School Placed 1st. In the Beginner category, Thomas Matthews, also from Crossville High School, Placed 3rd.
McFall said, “I would like to thank Drake State Welding instructors Joseph Bevel and Kory Rafferty for the invitation because it is a great experience for our students. They do a good job of simulating a real-world weld test experience. The students are given a random Blue Print they have never seen and then try to weld it the best they can correctly.” McFall added, “This competition is normally the first of the year and always seems to be the hardest. It tests our students’ skills and knowledge and how they will respond under pressure. I sometimes think this contest is harder than the AL SkillsUSA Welding State Championships. The schools that compete are the best of the best in north Alabama so placing in each category at this contest is hard. I’m super proud of my students and how well they represented our Tech School. “
DeKalb County Career Tech Director Jonathan Phillips stated, “It is always great when our students can compete against the top schools because it prepares them for real-world opportunities after graduation. I am proud of Mr. McFall and his students.”