Lowry High School students make big achievements in career skills development

Molten metal and teenagers do not seem like the likeliest of pairs, but for several Lowry High School (LHS) students who have been working continuously to hone their welding skills, the duo could not be better.

LHS students Issach Danner, Brenton Baker, Tesa Urrutia, Travis Urain, Kaid Sanchez, Colton Hunt, and Jack Delong recently attended a welding seminar in Reno NV, where they were all able to walk away with welding certifications. 

With trade skills in high demand, these certifications will help these students to earn scholarships, get into another school after graduation or give them an edge when they are applying for jobs, according to LHS welding instructor, Andrew Meyer. 

“The seminar is eight hours for two days and whether they pass or not, they improve dramatically,” explained Meyer. 

Issach Danner was the only student to receive certification in both flat and vertical welding. The other six students were able to complete and pass the flat welding test. 

Also according to Meyer, he has been taking students to the seminars for the past couple of years and has had great success, with about 90 percent of the students he takes earning their certifications.

Students have little time to use their skills in the classroom, so the seminar is a very important opportunity to get more hands-on practice.  

Student Kaid Sanchez said he was confident that the certifications would help him to get into a trade school after he graduates.

“It really helped me to see what it is like to weld for an entire work day as well,” said Sanchez. 

Student Jack Delong also expressed that the certification shows experience, which helps when applying for jobs.

Both students said that Mr. Meyer made the experience even more enjoyable. 

Lowry has had a number of talented welding students that have made great strides in their abilities this year. 

Damon Aitken, another LHS welding student, earned Lowry’s first national gold medal at the SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta,GA in June of this year. Aitken sculpted a beautiful log cabin for the Welding Sculpture competition and also received a handsome prize along with his gold metal. 

SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization that supports a multitude of trade-related skills and competitions. 

Other students Lander Smith, Tyler Carpenter, Brenton Baker, Gus Ferraro, and Travis Urain also attended the competition and placed well in Carpentry, Electrical Construction Wiring, and Welding Fabrication. 

According to Meyer, career and technical education students will be competing at the state SkillsUSA competition again in the springtime. 

“This year was a very special one,” said Meyer.