Participants in the Fridays @ Northeast Weld Off pose at the O’Neill Extended Campus following the annual competition. From left: Robert Stout, Northeast welding instructor; Kayde Ramm, Stuart (Stuart High School), second-place finisher; Keian Fischer Bassett (Rock County High School), first-place winner; and Owen Littau, Stuart (Stuart High School), third-place finisher.
O’Neill, Neb. — High school students enrolled in Northeast Community College’s Fridays @ Northeast welding class recently demonstrated their skills during the fifth annual Weld Off competition at the O’Neill Extended Campus.
The event serves as a capstone experience for students completing the year-long welding program. During the competition, participants were challenged to complete nine different shielded metal arc welds, putting their technical training and precision to the test.
Top performers were recognized with trophies and prizes sponsored by local businesses. Winners included Keian Fischer of Bassett (Rock County High School), who earned first place; Kayde Ramm of Stuart (Stuart High School), who placed second; and Owen Littau of Stuart (Stuart High School), who took third place.
“This competition is the embodiment of the passion and dedication of Robert Stout, who teaches welding at the O’Neill extended campus,” said John Liewer, associate dean of applied technology. “This competition is a tremendous opportunity for students to showcase the skills they have gained throughout their training and experience pride in workmanship. Many of these students will pursue the technical trades, and this type of experience can have lasting effects as they transition into their future careers.”
The competition was judged by John Knapp, Northeast welding instructor, along with local industry welders Frank Heying and Kyle Steinhauser.
Merri Schneider, O’Neill Extended Campus director, said the event reflects the purpose of Fridays @ Northeast programming. “The Weld Off really shows what Fridays @ Northeast is all about, giving students hands-on experiences that help them explore career paths. We’re proud to connect what students are learning with what employers need.”
Now in its fifth year, the Weld Off provides students with an opportunity to showcase their skills, gain confidence, and experience pride in their workmanship as they prepare for future careers in technical trades.
“This competition is a tremendous opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills they’ve developed throughout their training,” said John Liewer, associate dean of applied technology. “Experiences like this can have a lasting impact as students transition into the workforce.”
The Fridays @ Northeast program offers high school students career exploration opportunities through hands-on learning experiences across a range of technical fields.
