East Peoria, IL. – Several Illinois region high school students received scholarship prizes for their welding skills at the annual Midwest Technical Institute and Delta Technical College Regional High School Welding Competition Saturday, April 28 at MTI’s East Peoria, IL campus.
The MTI and DTC Regional HS Welding Competition is an invite-only competition for motivated high school seniors who want to prove that they have what it takes to be a Journeyman Welder. All participants in the regional welding competition received a $500 MTI Scholarship, and had the opportunity to win up to $10,000 in additional scholarship prizes. Each participant completed a timed welding project that was judged before a panel of welding experts. For students new to welding, our instructors provided a welding workshop that was geared towards students interested in a hands-on trade.
The annual event featured 60 participants from 33 area high schools and career centers, including: CACC (Capital Area Career Center), Mark Twain High School, Metamora High School, Grundy County High School, Rockridge High School, Southeast High School, Lincoln High School, Sycamore High School, Muscatine High School, El Paso Gridley High School, Delavan High School, Limestone High School, Cuba High School, Midwest Central High School, Sangamon Valley High School, Clinton High School, Fulton High School, Kewanee High School, Moline High School, Rock Falls High School, Sherrard High School, UTACC (United Township Area Career Center), WACC (Whiteside Area Career Center), West Central High School, Pittsfield High School, Gillespie High School, Lanphier High School, Fisher High School, Camanche High School, Eisenhower High School, Warrenburg-Latham High School, Mt. Pulaski High School and Pana High School.
First place honors went to Tom Limberis of Sycamore High School, who won a $10,000 MTI Scholarship. Jeffrey Johnson of Grundy County High School finished second and was awarded a $5,000 MTI Scholarship. In third place was Adam Smith, also of Grundy County High School, who won a $2,500 MTI Scholarship.
Established in 2007, the competition offers high school students more than an opportunity to showcase their welding talents. Participants also had the opportunity to enroll in one of MTI’s Journeyman Welder Programs. Our welding programs provide skills and hands-on training geared to meet the tough demands of today’s employers. The objective is for our students to gain entry-level employment across the country in the manufacturing, construction and maintenance fields. The certifications we issue our graduates maximize employability potential in the welding industry.
MTI’s Director of High School Development, Tad Haroldsen, described the outstanding efforts of this year’s competition and contestants, saying, “The students were not just competitive, but they also showed true passion and drive in demonstrating their welding abilities. The welding projects reflected positively not only on themselves, but also their high school and their welding instructors. We look forward to assisting all participants in their passion to pursuing a welding career.”
For interview requests and other media inquiries, contact Diana Hutchinson at 217-527-8357 ext. 1194