OSTC-NE Welders Advance to State SkillsUSA Competition

Multiple welding students from OSTC Northeast earned top placements at the Regional SkillsUSA competition and will advance to the state conference April 17-19 at Washtenaw Community College.

Ethan Laird, a senior from Clarkston High School, placed third overall. Charley Hogan, a junior from Rochester High School, earned first place in TIG welding. Elizabeth Cuthbertson, a senior from Avondale High School, placed second in Torch Cutting. Vince Kucera, a junior from Rochester High School, earned third in Torch Cutting.

Additional OSTC-NE students who participated in the regional competition included Judah Bristow and Elliot Lyons of Lake Orion High School; Aidan Beadle, Max Grekowicz and Charley Hogan of Rochester High School; Vince Kucera of Rochester High School; Elizabeth Cuthbertson and Jayden Lafevers of Avondale High School; Ethan Laird and Kyler O’Melia of Clarkston High School; Reese Morris and Niko Vellucci of Lake Orion High School; Logan Shaffer of Oxford High School; and Sophie Munro of Waterford Kettering High School.

“It was just fun competing against other people,” said Hogan, a first-year welding student. “My goal is to practice as best as I can and go win again.”

Campus leaders noted that participation in SkillsUSA strengthens technical skill development and prepares students for high-demand careers in the skilled trades.