Whitley County High School hosted a welding competition event last Thursday, where a number of students from across the state vied for a variety of scholarship dollars and prizes.
The Bluegrass Welding Series, a months-long event sponsored by the Kentucky Welding Institute (KWI), brought students from at least 10 different counties to WCHS last week, where one of Whitley County’s own managed to nab a top 10 finish.
Ashley Applegate, director of training at KWI, likened the series to that of NASCAR, noting that each individual event was part of an overall competition that is held later in the season.
The series consists of a multiple smaller welding events across the state in which competing students earn points based on their performance throughout the year. A different project is welded at each event and students can travel to whichever events they choose.
The students with the highest point totals at the end of the year’s series will then compete in a championship event
During last week’s competition at WCHS, Applegate said that KWI expected to give out approximately $10,000 in scholarships for that single event alone, as well as a variety of prizes such as welding equipment, tools, apparel and other gear.
Any student that earns enough points to compete in the championship event has the opportunity to earn even more scholarship money and a welding machine of their own.
WCHS Senior Bradley Claxton took seventh place during last week’s competition, according to Ryan Moore, welding teacher at WCHS. Claxton received a prize package and $500 in scholarship dollars for his achievement, as well as points toward possibly competing in the championship event.
Applegate said that KWI held an event prior to last week’s event, an event was held in Greene County. Next up on the schedule is an event in Mercer County followed by another in Breckinridge County.
