Students in the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy Welding Academy competed April 14 in the first VanKirk Career Academy Welding Contest, organized by welding instructors Jim VonBehren and Brent Rowe, with retired adjunct instructor Bob Hunt assisting with judging.
The contest’s top welders advanced to the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 High School Welding Contest, scheduled for May 6 in Des Moines.
Welders representing the VanKirk Career Academy include:
- Rachel Marwedel (Waukee High School)
- Jayden Flugge-Smith (Woodward-Granger High School)
- Jarrett Stucker (Woodward-Granger High School)
- Alex Anderson (Adel-De Soto-Minburn High School)
- Dylan Rodgers (Woodward-Granger High School)
- Hayden Desmarais (Adel-De Soto-Minburn High School)
The 2022 High School Weld Off, presented by Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The competition will be Shielded Metallic Arc Welding (SMAW) in all positions on plate. The top two place winners receive a welder, with additional awards of welding hoods and gear.
