SHS students shine at welding competition

SANDPOINT — Sparks weren’t the only flying colors at a regional welding competition hosted at North Idaho College last week.

First, second, third and fourth place were all claimed by Sandpoint High School students — the most significant achievement the team has ever brought home from the competition, Jake Stark, SHS welding instructor, said. 

Stark has taken SHS teams to the competition — hosted by SkillsUSA at NIC’s Parker Toyota building — since 2014. 

“Throughout the year, SkillsUSA students sharpen their skills through competitions on the local, regional and state levels, competitions created and judged by industry,” the SkillsUSA website said. “The SkillsUSA Championships is the national pinnacle of those competitions, where more than 6,000 state champions compete in well over 100 skilled and leadership events."

This year, 14 of the 45 overall participating students were from Sandpoint. Students from nearby Lakeland High School, CDA and Post Falls high schools also competed during last week’s event. Those students were narrowed down to the top six by NIC alumni who currently work in the industry, Stark said. 

First-place winner Gavin Day said practice, teamwork and good instruction contributed to his and others’ success. 

“Mr. Stark is a great teacher,” he said. 

During the competition, students read various plans to assemble different shapes and welds, Day said. Students were tested by judges in three areas: arc welding, mig welding and flux core. 

Also placing for Sandpoint were Wyatt Personini in second place, Sage Greene in third place and Crosby Schmidt in fourth. Ranking well in the competition qualifies students to compete at state level, Stark said. The state-wide competition will be held in July at the College of Western Idaho in Idaho Falls. 

“We represented Sandpoint in a professional manner and performed at a high level,” Stark said. “All the hard work they have put in has paid off. I am proud of our kids.”