Welding Student Places in Nationals

Chris Taylor of Maysville, a second year student in Lenoir Community College’s Welding Technology Department, recently competed in the SkillsUSA National Championship competition held annually in Kansas City, MO. winning second place overall and taking home the silver medal.

The welding competition, which consisted of three days of testing in all major welding processes, culminated with the competition results being announced at the closing ceremonies of the event with more than 12,000 students, competitors, advisors and interested parties representing SkillsUSA in attendance at the Kansas City Arena.

“It was a great opportunity and awesome experience. John and I joked about the fact I had to write a short speech to present to a panel of judges,” Taylor said. “I included in that speech, that this was indeed an awesome experience that was hard to describe with words. This was one of the biggest events that I have ever participated in.”

Taylor is employed at Camp Lejeune as a millwright/pipefitter.

With more than 80 different events in virtually all industrial and related fields of study and thousands of contestants, the big event held each year in Kansas City is certainly the Super Bowl of both high school and post-secondary Vocational and Technical competition, as companies, vendors, and professional associations are all in attendance marketing their latest products and services.

“This is the first time LCC’s Welding Department has ever participated in SkillsUSA, so neither Chris nor I really knew what to expect. With Chris coming in second out of the entire country, I believe that is very impressive,” said LCC Welding Department Head John Cavenaugh. “I will certainly continue to encourage all my students to take advantage of this opportunity to compete with SkillsUSA.”

LCC Director of Industry and Public Service Gary Clements said he was extremely proud of Chris Taylor and the Welding program in the SkillsUSA competition at the State and National level.“Both Chris and John have worked hard to be successful in these events. First place in the state and second in the national event is a great accomplishment for a first time performance in SkillsUSA,” he said. “These individuals have represented Lenoir Community College and eastern North Carolina well.”

For more information on the Welding Technology Program, contact Cavenaugh at (252) 527-6223, ext. 112 or email at jcavenaugh@lenoircc.edu.

Pictured is Chris Taylor, left, with LCC Welding Program Head John Cavenaugh.