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Hometown student places top ten in national welding competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 10:15 GMT by WDBJ
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Local Student Secures Top‑Ten Spot at National Welding Competition

Roanoke County, VA – In a demonstration of skill, precision, and sheer determination, 17‑year‑old Jacob “Jake” Harper of Lumen High School has earned a coveted spot in the top ten of the National High‑School Welding Competition, an event that drew over 300 contestants from across the country this week.

The competition, held from September 8‑10 at the International Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, is organized by the American Welding Society (AWS). Each year the AWS invites high‑school students to showcase their talent in a range of welding disciplines—MIG, TIG, and stick welding—under stringent safety and technical standards. According to the AWS’s official event page, the competition’s purpose is not only to crown the nation’s best young welders but also to spotlight the importance of welding as a future career path, especially in a region where the manufacturing sector is booming.

Harper, a junior in Lumen’s Certified Welding Program, qualified for the national finals after taking the top spot in the state’s qualifying round, held at the Roanoke County Technical Institute. “It was an intense week of training,” Harper said. “We practiced for hours each day and had to meet exacting criteria for weld bead appearance, joint fit-up, and overall safety.” He noted that his team’s support from the school’s head instructor, Ms. Linda O’Donnell, was instrumental in his success. “Ms. O’Donnell has been pushing us hard for months. She’s been there every step of the way, and she always says that the most important thing is not just to win, but to learn and grow.”

The national finals were split into three categories—MIG, TIG, and Stick—with each student allotted one minute to complete a pre‑specified weld joint. Judges, drawn from industry professionals and AWS officials, scored each weld on bead quality, joint fit, and adherence to the AWS welding standards. The top 10 in each category were announced on the competition’s official results page on the AWS website, which confirmed Harper’s 8th place finish in the MIG Welding category.

“Jake’s welds were impeccable,” said judge Daniel Perez, a senior welding engineer with a Fortune 500 manufacturer. “He displayed a level of control and consistency that’s rare in someone his age. His MIG welds had a perfect bead profile, and he maintained optimal arc stability throughout.”

Harper’s achievement comes amid a broader conversation about the rising demand for skilled welders in Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Labor’s recent employment projections, the region expects a 12% increase in welders over the next decade, largely driven by infrastructure projects and the expansion of the state’s automotive and aerospace industries. “Our schools have to step up and prepare the next generation of welders,” said Lumen High School’s principal, Dr. Thomas Rivera. “Having a student like Jake on the national stage is a testament to the strength of our curriculum and the dedication of our teachers.”

Beyond the technical prowess displayed in the competition, Harper’s participation highlighted the importance of mentorship and community support. A school‑wide fundraising effort led to a sponsorship package that covered the cost of travel, lodging, and competition fees for Lumen’s entire welding team. Community members, including local business owners such as the owner of Roanoke County Auto Repair, contributed both monetary support and mentorship sessions. “We’ve always known that our students needed the right tools and guidance to thrive,” said business owner Mark Johnson. “When Jake told us he was heading to the nationals, we rallied to make sure he had everything he needed.”

In addition to the welding challenges, the competition also featured a networking event for students, industry professionals, and educators. “The opportunity to meet people who are actually doing the work we’re preparing for was invaluable,” Harper said. “I learned a lot about what the expectations are in the real world.”

Harper’s next steps are clear: He plans to enroll in the Virginia Tech Welding Engineering program after graduation. “I want to keep improving my skills,” he said. “This competition has shown me what I’m capable of, but it also showed me how much more I can learn.” In the words of Ms. O’Donnell, “He’s a future leader in welding.”

The local community has taken notice, with the city council approving a new grant to fund welding equipment upgrades for Lumen’s program and a state legislator praising the student’s achievement in a press release. The AWS has also recognized Harper’s accomplishment in a feature article on their website, which highlighted the national reach of their competition and its impact on students’ career prospects.

The National High‑School Welding Competition will resume next year, and Lumen’s team—alongside other schools in the region—plans to return, building on the success of the past year. As Harper’s story demonstrates, the combination of rigorous training, community backing, and the right opportunities can transform a high‑school program into a national success story.

If you would like more details about the competition format or wish to learn how your local school can participate, visit the AWS National Competition page. For further information on Lumen High School’s welding curriculum, see the school’s Career and Technical Education program page.