Southern Regional Technical College

« Back to Recent News

Local High School Students Compete in Welding Competition Hosted by Southern Regional Technical College and Colquitt County High School

Moultrie, GA (04/01/2026) — Local high school students competed in a welding competition on Thursday, March 26, 2026, hosted by Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) and Colquitt County High School (CCHS) and sponsored by Jones Welding and Lincoln Electric. 43 students participated in the competition in Moultrie to compete against each other for a chance to win the grand prize of a 140-amp GMAW welding machine, a Lincoln welding hood, a welding jacket, welding gloves, a welding cap, a bag for carrying welding gear, and a $1,000.00 SRTC scholarship.

The competition aimed to foster healthy competition while highlighting the importance of welding skills in today's industrial landscape. Participants demonstrated their proficiency in various welding techniques and put their welding skills on display using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process in horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions with E7018 and E6010 electrodes. SRTC welcomed students from Baconton Community Charter School, Colquitt County High School, Miller County High School, Mitchell County High School, SRTC/Home School, Thomas County Academy, Thomas County Central High School, Thomasville High School, Tift County High School, Valdosta High School, and Worth County High School.

The top 10 winners of the competition include first place winner Ryder Harrell from Thomas County Central High School, second place winner Cason Roberts from Worth County High School, third place winner Preston Riggins from Baconton Community Charter, fourth place winner Dane Frock from Baconton Community Charter, fifth place winner Mia Boyd from Valdosta High School, sixth place winner Luke Roberson from Thomas County Central High School, seventh place winner Sullivan Ochs from SRTC/Home School, eighth place winner Colby Bishop from Thomas County Academy, ninth place winner Juan Angeles from Tift County High School, and tenth place winner Mason Horace from Miller County High School.

The instructors who mentored these students and prepared them for this competition include Travis Barrett from Thomas County Central High School, Brad Braswell from SRTC/Colquitt County High School, Micah Canrine from SRTC/Miller County High School, Carlton Denton from SRTC/Tift County High School, Myles Foister from SRTC/Colquitt County High School, Karl Kemper from SRTC/Baconton Community Charter School/Mitchell County High School, Clifton Taylor from SRTC/Baconton Community Charter School/Thomasville High School/Thomas County Academy/Mitchell County High School, Jace Tison from SRTC/Worth County High School, and Michael Warmack from Valdosta High School.

The competition drew a strong field of talented young welders from across the region. The following 43 students represented their schools with dedication and skill, showcasing the next generation of welding professionals in Southwest Georgia:

  • Baconton Community Charter School: Dane Frock (4th place), Blayton Hughes, Dylan Kooyman, Boyd O'neal, and Preston Riggins (3rd place)
  • Colquitt County High School: Alexander Barajas, Martin Garcia, Geynar Gonzalez, Elijah Jenkins, and Kayden Moser
  • Miller County High School: Mason Horace (10th place), Desiree Jackson, and Fletcher Long
  • Mitchell County High School: Marvin Cooper, Macaleb Ford, and John Moore
  • SRTC/Home School: Sullivan Ochs (7th place)
  • Thomas County Academy: Colby Bishop (8th place)
  • Thomas County Central High School: Jasper Castleberry, Kinsey Clements, Leland Dees, Frank Garbett, Destin Gosett, Ryder Harrell (1st place), Turner Horne, Brody Jennings, Blake Laidman, Luke Roberson (6th place), Linwood Stone, and Jayden Wilson
  • Thomasville High School: Kadyn Mirick
  • Tift County High School: Juan Angeles (9th place) and Daniel Soto
  • Valdosta High School: Mia Boyd (5th place), Jabori Elliott, Shavion McGriff, and Samuel Turner
  • Worth County High School: Cully Hendley, Justin Kimsey, Luke Owens, Cooper Pendley, Jackson Perrin, and Cason Roberts (2nd place)

SRTC was honored to host this event, giving high school students exposure to cutting-edge welding technologies and innovative techniques, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this industry.

For more information about Welding and Joining at SRTC, visit us at https://southernregional.edu/college-catalog/current/programs/welding---joining-technology.

Southern Regional Technical College offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get students quickly into their desired careers, and 38 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of its students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, interested individuals can log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205-3449.

Summer semester begins May 19. Don't wait, enroll today!

Media Attachments

Left to right: Jones Welding representatives Judge Jones and Candice Godby, Mason Horace, Mia Boyd, Sullivan Ochs, Juan Angeles, Colby Bishop, Dane Frock, Luke Roberson, Cason Roberts, Preston Riggins, and Ryder Harrell

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out