On Friday, May 6, 2022, a select group of welders from Wakulla High School’s Welding Academy participated in Lively Tech’s Inaugural High School Welding Competition at Lively Tech’s campus in Tallahassee.

The six students who competed, Robert Creel, Ian Durocher, Joseph Rotruck, Kyler Smith, Sheldon Smith, and Emily Taylor, were selected by Instructor Roscoe Grant for their welding skill and talent.

The students contended against three other welding programs in the North Florida area, Rickards High School, Godby High School, and Franklin County High School. The Wakulla War Eagles swept the competition, earning second, third, and fifth place overall, along with students earning placement in individual categories.

Sheldon Smith placed second in the competition overall, showing tremendous skill in uphill and 3G. Sheldon, as a rising junior, already holds welding certifications in stick, as well as flux core mig. Sheldon was proud to place second and win the top prize – a welding machine and tool bag. He is already looking forward to next year’s competition with the aspiration of bringing home first place.

Ian Durocher, a graduating senior, placed thirrd overall and won a Victor torch set and a tool bag filled with top-of-the-line welding tools. Ian is a certified welder in stick and flux core mig.

Ian said, “Mr. Grant always tells us if you like what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life, and I like to weld. I joined the academy my junior year, and honestly it has changed the course of my life.” He and Joseph Rotruck, also a graduating senior, both have job offers from Eastern Ship Building in Panama City Beach lined up after graduation.

Kyler Smith, a rising junior, placed first in Torch, beating out students from Rickards High School and Franklin County High School. Kyler is also certified in stick and flux core mig and felt this type of competition was a good learning experience for him. He also looks forward to participating again next year.

Robert Creel, a rising senior, won fifth place overall and looks forward to competing next year, especially to meet with the various recruiters from reputable welding businesses, such as Airgas, Turbine Weld Inc., Hurst Boiler and Welding, and Eastern Ship Building, all of whom were represented at this year’s event. Robert is certified in stick and flux core mig.

Emily Taylor rounded out the group of War Eagles. She is a rising junior and currently certified in stick and flux core mig. For the competition she participated in welding a 3G plate. She drew out the blueprints and then cut them with a torch.

Emily said, “I signed up for welding under the pressure of my friend who didn’t want to be one of the only girls in the program, but I have found a new skill and career path I want to pursue. I am thankful for Mr. Grant and for opportunities like this competition to work on my skill.”

Wakulla High School Principal Michele Falk, believes our students’ success throughout our CTE program is attributed to the dedication of instructors like Mr. Grant.

“Our students come in with the hope of learning a new skill or trade, and under the guidance of our instructors combined with the student’s hard work, they not only leave WHS with a new skill but many, like the students in this competition, leave with jobs and careers already secured post-graduation. This is a tremendous accomplishment not only for our school, but for Wakulla County.”

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