Columbus student places at North Texas Weld Wars

A Columbus High School student placed at the North Texas Weld Wars held at the Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus on Friday, Oct. 11, in Red Oak.

Joel Rubio, of Columbus, placed in the top three students for the category he participated in, “gas metal arc welding, 2F.”

“It is good to expose what we have to offer at the North Texas campus,” said Joseph Francia, program team lead for TSTC’s Welding Technology program.

The welding competition is part of the Texas High School Welding Series. The event gives students opportunities to improve their employability and technical skills in welding. Students were tested in four American Welding Society-backed certification levels.

“I think today’s contest is the smoothest one we have ever had,” said Jerrod Crumpton, organizer of the North Texas Weld Wars and a welding teacher at Waxahachie High School. “Overall, I am pleased with the variety of schools that came to see what other students are doing.”

Select students will qualify for the Texas High School Welding Series’ state contest planned for spring 2025.