Four ACC welding students will compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 25-29 in Louisville, Kentucky, after winning first in the state competition held last month.

Michael Miller: Metal Sculpture

Kyle Gross, Thomas Hinkle Jr., and Ben Roark ranked first in Team Fabrication while Michael Miller took first place in Metal Sculpture.

The students competed against their peers from other community colleges and trade schools in Texas. This is the seventh consecutive year ACC students have won first place in the state individual welding competition. National winners have the opportunity to compete in the World Skills Conference in Russia this fall.

“I’m amazed at the talent these students bring each year,” says Troy DeFrates, Welding Department chair. “They face tough competitors and have to prove their skills in all aspects of welding, from accuracy to quality. Placing in this conference is something to be proud of.”

Other ACC student winners were Edie Disler and Robert Feller, who placed second and third respectively in Metal Sculpture.

For more information about ACC’s Welding Technology Program, visit austincc.edu/accwelding.

Tags: competition, SkillsUSA, welding, welding technology department