50th Annual High School Welding Contest

AWS-Detroit High School Welding Contest – 50 Years and Still Going Strong!

Can you remember what was going on back in 1973?  Maybe you were in primary school, or perhaps not yet even born.  After all, we are talking about 50 years ago.  That being said, there was some history being made back then.  And to set the stage for a look at both the present, and the future, it might help to take a small step back, to the past.

The world population clocked in at roughly 3.2 billion people back in ’73 – we are over 8 billion now.  The year also saw plenty of firsts: the first graduate to receive a degree from a work-at-home program, and the creation of the first portable cell phone.  1973 was also the first year for the AWS-Detroit Section to hold what turned out to be its annual high school welding contest (HSWC).

A part of the Metro-Detroit region since 1924, the AWS-Detroit Section has grown to be a strong voice within the welding community.  And that growth has only been possible by the seemingly never-ending efforts of our volunteers.  With a stated mission to advance the science, technology, and application of welding, a HSWC seemed like great way to encourage new folks to participate in this important industry.

It was this motivation that drove Fred Ellicott, at that time the welding instructor at Schoolcraft College and a member of the AWS-Detroit section board, to join with other like-minded volunteers and hold the first HSWC at Schoolcraft.

Of course, they did not know it at the time, but this first event, held in 1973, was the start of a very long relationship between the AWS-Detroit Section, and high school welding students and their instructors.  Quickly the event developed its own unique flavor.  Fred Ellicott was a bit of a story teller, and as the MC, he would always start the day talking to the students, encouraging them to look towards the future.

A few highlights as the event has grown over the years are noted below:

• Held at Schoolcraft College until growth made it a less than optimal experience for both the student participants, and their instructors
• Moved to Washtenaw Community College in 2014
• The value of the student handouts, and performance prizes, now exceeds $15k
• The scholarships available total $9,000

The volunteer team supporting the HSWC also grew as part of the process of putting on the event.  This included the group getting together the morning before for breakfast.  It was their time to reconnect prior to the contest with industry colleagues.  This developed a strong camaraderie amongst the volunteers, and it would serve them well going forward.

Even COVID could not stop the HSWC and its dedicated group of volunteers.  But as is often the case, one needs a bit of a set-back before you can move forward.  The 2020 rendition of the HSWC was just such an example.  The team had gathered material, registered schools, and obtained many donated prizes, and at the last minute, a decree from the State shut it down.  All were disappointed – No one more so than the AWS-Detroit Section Chairman of the HSWC, Glenn Kay II.  The next year (2021) Glenn and the team were able to work around this issue, and in a very unique way.

The 2021 HSWC looked a bit different that year as they navigated those unpredictable times.  The decision was made to hold a virtual competition.  This would provide high school seniors the opportunity to compete while doing so within the safety of their own schools.  The driving force was to make the competition possible as it was felt the students deserved the opportunity to compete, in spite of the pandemic limitations being imposed.  Once the plans were finalized the work began.  Zoom meetings were held, projects cut, packaged and delivered to each participating school (by Glenn himself).  Afterwards, completed projects were picked up (again, thank you Glenn) and judged.

What did the team discover while going through this process?  Grateful students and instructors.  Students that, because of the pandemic, did not get as much time under the hood as they normally would and the HSWC offered them an opportunity to keep pushing themselves forward.  An amazing job by all concerned, and one of the many hidden silver linings you often discover when things do not go as planned.

This year’s event will be on Friday, May 12^th at Washtenaw Community College.  Once again, the entire team of volunteers will be able to see the fruits of their labor as dozens and dozens of students gather to test their knowledge and skill.  Specific events include a written exam, an aluminum project, and finally a pressure vessel-multi weld process project.

There will be, of course, prizes and scholarships.  But there will also be a glimpse into the future as we witness students from all over the state test their skill as they prepare for their career in welding.  The idea that I might walk through a building, or drive on a road, and actually interface with their work some day is amazing.

So, congratulations to Fred, Glenn, and the many, many other AWS-Detroit Section volunteers that have been a part of the HSWC over the years.  Who knew what was started 50 years ago would have such a long lasting legacy.

The year 2023 marks the 50^th anniversary of the AWS-Detroit Section High School Welding contest.  If you are interested in supporting, please reach out to the following:

Prize donations can be sent to:
Washtenaw Community College
Larry L. Whitworth Occupational Education Building, Room OE 102 R
4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
ATTN: Glenn Kay

Financial contributions can be made to:
AWS-Detroit Section
PO Box 530305
Livonia, MI  48153
ATTN: HSWC