On December 3, eleven WRHS welding students competed against nearly 160 welders from 20 schools at the Paola Welding Invitational. Students completed a range of fabrication tasks requiring multiple cutting and welding processes and were evaluated by Certified Welding Inspectors from the Missouri Welding Institute.
The novice team, Michelle Anderson, Sam Schwartz, Jackson Golden, Phoenix Benaka, and Caleb Pearce, placed third overall, finishing just nine points out of first. Michelle Anderson earned fifth place as the top novice female welder and was the only female to reach the podium in either division, while Sam Schwartz placed second individually.
In the advanced division, Emma Ogleby, Kaeden Griffith, Desmond Grindal, Quintin Alvarez, and Stryker Grosfield placed fifth overall after completing demanding welds including 5G pipe and TIG groove welds. Desmond Grindal also earned a ninth place individual finish.
