Several students from the Stuart Career Technical High School’s Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance Academy competed in the Rising Star of Texas High School Welding Certification event at Texas State University on November 13th. The students were accompanied by their instructor, John Membreno. One hundred and seventy-one students from across the state competed in the contest.

Isis Gomez, Angel Herrera and Kimberly Cuellar received their Level 3 Certification AWS D1.1 1G. Herrera also won a pair of work boots through the “Boot’em Up” program, sponsored by R&N Manufacturing and Northern Tool.

Four students participated in the Level 4 contest. Ezequiel Hernandez received the Level 4 Certification AWS D1.1 3G and won the 1st place award, making him the Grand Champion. He received an $1,000 Elite Welding tuition scholarship, $8,000 from the Tulsa Welding school and $1,500 from The Ocean Corp to go to towards tuition. Adrian De Leon placed 5th, Jose Rosas, 6th and Alec Ruiz placed 10th.