Kokomo Area Career Center welding students pitch in for United Way kick off
If you see a display around town showcasing the United Way's fundraising goal and can read it clearly, thank a welding student from the Kokomo Area Career Center.
The United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties launched its Leading the Way Campaign on Thursday night. The organization has a goal of $1.3 million, which will go toward grants for area nonprofits, United Way programs like Buddy Bags and tax filing assistance, along with other general operation expenses.
Banners will be placed around Kokomo tracking the progress of United Way's goal.
The displays that showcase the banners were built by welding students in Brian Mikesell's welding class at Kokomo Area Career Center.
Dana Neer, director for United Way, reached out to the career center about a possible partnership. The welding class jumped on it.
"We don't turn them down, usually," Mikesell said of community partnerships.
Students drew up a prototype and then cut the needed pieces on a plasma cutter.
The welding program at the career center is one of the few in the country that does fabrication — taking an idea, turning it into an actual product and all the steps in between.
"You can't in theory teach and not do it," Mikesell said.
The welding instructor said the fact that fabrication is taught at the career center led to Hobart Welding School adding it as well. Hobart, located in Ohio, is one of the top welding schools in the country. Many career center students go there after graduation.
Chance Birnell was one of about 10 students who worked on the project. He said it was an easy one to do and students created a sort of assembly line, taking on different tasks.
"The guys who worked on it did an outstanding job," Birnell said.
And they had to. Mikesell expects nothing less.
"He literally strives for perfection," Birnell said.
Welding students have done plenty of work for community organizations and the city over the years. They contributed to the Al Berryman Splash Pad on Elm Street and the Women's Legacy Memorial on the courthouse square.
Welding students built the "I heart Kokomo" sculpture located on the Walk of Excellence Trail along Washington Street and behind Kokomo Fire Station 1.
"It gets our work out there," said Collin Otto, a student in the welding program.
"People don't expect it, but we do quality work," said Brennon Williamson, another student in the class.
The career center's welding program continues to grow. This year, there are 12 more students.
The career center is one of the only high school programs in the nation that allows students to earn their D1.1 3G welding certification, according to Mikesell.
The certification, which is good for life, certifies a welder to weld in flat, horizontal and vertical positions. Mikesell said only about 10% of welders have one.
