(MARSHALL) – Texas State Technical College in Marshall will host a welding competition for area high school students from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 1.

The event, now in its third year, offers young students a way to showcase their welding talents.

“They can get some more hands-on practice,” said TSTC lead welding instructor Danny Nixon. “Other than that, they’ll have a good time and they can show off what they’ve learned throughout the year.”

Nixon said students will use oxyfuel cutting, fluxcored arc welding, and shielded metal arc welding techniques. One hundred students participated in the event last year.

Freshman and sophomores compete in the junior division and juniors and seniors in the senior division.

Students competing will build a 6-by-6-inch structure named the “Stairway to Welding.”

TSTC is registering now for the fall semester. The last day to register is Monday, Aug. 20, and classes begin Monday, Aug. 27.

For more information on TSTC’s welding program, visit tstc.edu.

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