GHC welding students successfully competed recently in the Welding Rodeo Skills Contest at Bellingham Technical College. Prize-winners include, from left, Aaron DeMontiny of South Bend, Kevin Beese, Garrett Thomas, Jeff Straughn, Byron Hongell, Brandon Rose and Mason Loman.

BELLINGHAM — Grays Harbor College welding students, including one from Pacific County, recently competed in the annual Bellingham Technical College Welding Rodeo Skills Contest. The two-day event is open every year to any professional welder, as well as to college and high school welding students from around the State.

The GHC welding students won top awards in the Professional Division, which college students can enter if they had advanced skills. They also won awards in the College Division.

Particularly noteworthy was the performance of 21-year old Garrett Thomas of McCleary. He won 1st Place Professional and Overall Best Cutting on the first day, and 2nd Place Professional on the second day. He is currently enrolled in the pipe welding degree option at GHC and is scheduled to graduate in December. Taking second in the Professional Division in the first-day competition was Mason Loman, while Brandon Rose took third. Both are Montesano residents.

Kevin Beese of Westport took a first in the Professional Division on the second day, while Thomas placed second, and Byron Hongell of Westport placed third. Aaron DeMontigny of South Bend earned first in the College Division, and Jeff Straughn of Satsop received a third in the same category.

GHC students won trophy plaques and other prizes such as oxy-fuel cutting sets, welding jackets, and/or welding gloves.

According to GHC welding instructor Rod McDonald, “The lessons learned trying to produce the best work possible in an unfamiliar environment, under the pressure of competition, is invaluable in preparing students to be highly successful in the welding trade where welders must prove their skills to gain employment and then reprove their skills repeatedly through testing to maintain their employment throughout their career.”