For the second time in five years, Ernest Righetti High School’s FFA welding team members secured themselves as champions of California student welders.
They recently battled 18 teams and 68 competitors at Cuesta College to tamp down first place. Team members Tanner Tuttle, Devin Miller, Justin Rich, and Patrick Stemlock also slammed down the most individual high points, with Tuttle taking the first high individual spot and Miller as second highest.
Teacher and FFA advisor Jim English said in a press release that the students knocked out the victory by reading blueprints and welding both aluminum and mild steel in a variety of positions. They also demonstrated different welding processes, and showed off their job portfolios and American Welding Society certified work.
“This is a big deal,” English said in the release. “They can look back on their accomplishments forever.”
Those accomplishments also include championing Allan Hancock College’s welding competition on April 27, where Tuttle also took first place in the STICK welding contest.
Team members received personalized welding jackets and won the famous “silver bowl,” which will be displayed on campus.
This article appears in May 23-30, 2013.