Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) presented a $1,000 check donation and plaque to Hammond Area Career Center in Hammond, Indiana following the annual MTI High School Welding Competition.
The $1,000 donation was part of the award for the first-place winner of the competition, Connor Behary of Hammond Area Career Center, and will be used to support the career center’s welding department. Connor was also given a plaque with his name and accomplishment on it to be displayed at the school.
In attendance for the presentation was also Thomas Davis, Welding Instructor, and Lauren Dado, Principal/Director of Career and Technical Education. The donation was presented by Louie Schonauer, Director of High School Admissions at MTI.
MTI’s High School Welding Competition was held at the Moline, IL campus on Saturday, April 10th, 2021. First place of the senior division was awarded to Connor Behary of Hammond Area Career Center, who was awarded a $5,000 MTI scholarship. Finishing in second place was Aaron Ricketts of Burlington High School, who was awarded a $2,500 MTI scholarship. Michael Timmerman of Burlington High School finished in third place and was awarded a $1,000 MTI scholarship.
“We have seen over the last year how essential the skilled trades are in our everyday life,” says Louie Schonauer, Director of High School Admissions at MTI. “We are honored to be a part of training the future of the welding industry workforce, and we are proud to support the welding programs in our local high schools. This training is so important to students who are looking for a path after high school that doesn’t include traditional 2-year or 4-year college, but still offers the opportunity for a fulfilling career. That’s our goal at MTI, to prepare students to gain employment in the skilled trades industry.”
MTI’s High School Welding Competition is an annual competition for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the welding industry. All participants in the welding competition received a $500 MTI scholarship. A total of $12,500 in MTI scholarships were awarded to high school seniors at this year’s competition. The competition involves a timed welding project that is judged before a panel of welding experts.
