About 80 FFA college students from throughout Oklahoma put their welding expertise to the take a look at at an enormous competitors in Mayes County. Ag academics say that is simply one other instance of what the group has to supply.
College students from Idabel to Stigler to Jenks confirmed up on the Mayes County fairgrounds to participate. Earlier than they may fireplace up their welding gear, they needed to take a written take a look at as a part of the competitors.
“It’s fairly fascinating,” mentioned Alex Mackey, a junior at Oologah Excessive Faculty.
His associate, Cory Franklin, has been welding for 3 years however this was his first competitors.
“Getting to fulfill new individuals,” mentioned Franklin. “Attending to weld. That’s what I like to do.”
The duty for the 40 groups competing from the 25 totally different FFA chapters is to construct a six foot work bench. The scholars acquired a half hour of assist from instructors however have been then turned unfastened.
They introduced their very own gear, however the metallic was supplied.
“We’ve acquired cross arms we’ve acquired to construct and weld collectively,” mentioned Franklin.
Chouteau-Mazie ag instructor Jack Crawford is the organizer of this contest. He says the excessive curiosity from college students to participate within the competitors is simply one other instance of what FFA has to supply.
“I all the time prefer to say ag isn’t simply cows, plows and sows,” he mentioned. “We do public talking, we do store, a few of my children race.”
Crawford says he enjoys sharing his ardour with college students all throughout Oklahoma. Whereas these rivals are nonetheless in highschool, this competitors is one that would put together them for all times after commencement.
“I’ve additionally had children that come straight out of my store class, get a job and so they’re pipelining or they’re working for the pipe union,” he mentioned.
The group from Sapulpa took residence first place within the competitors.