Looking forward to a bright future and an interesting career, Michael Todd Roush of Mason, West Virginia has earned the Robert Bercaw Scholarship at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.  The 2006 graduate of Mason County Career Center and Wahama High School is the son of Jamie and Rebecca Roush. 

Michael became interested with welding when he selected welding courses at the career center.  It sparked his interest “because it is something that my family has been involved with for many years,” says Michael.  “My great-grandfather, Papa Buck, encouraged me to pursue welding.  He liked to talk with me about things I had done in welding class.  I feel like he helped me become a better welder.  He passed away last year.  At the time he died, I had been working on a welding project at school.  Using a plasma torch, I cut out two deer and a pine tree out of sheet metal.  It was displayed with flowers at his funeral.  I know that he would have been proud of my project and would have liked it.”

“Michael works hard and takes pride in his skills and work,” says Russell Williams, Welding Instructor at Mason County Career Center. 

Michael’s grandfather, to whom he affectionately refers as Papa Bugsie, has also taken an interest in his work.  “He bought me my first oxyacetylene cutting torch and my first welding hood.  He is a retired union millwright and is proud to see me start a career like his,” Michael comments.

Through Michael’s welding class, he has been involved in a community service project constructing Christmas decorations for Krodel Park.  But his welding skills are used beyond the classroom.  For a local florist, he designed and welded a device that keeps the vases and baskets from overturning during transport. 

“Michael utilizes his career training and applies it to ATV parts fabrication and modification,” says the owner/operator Jodie Roush of Cowtown Farm, one of Michael’s employers.  “During his employment he participated in general farming activities as well as a few tractor restoration projects.”

Michael and his dad share a hobby of racing the all-terrain vehicles. 

“We have welded four-wheeler parts together and also have fabricated our own parts,” says Michael.  “Recently, we made our own extended A-arms for my four-wheeler to race in motocross.  Aftermarket A-arms cost around $800, but the ones we made ourselves only cost about $50.  My dad showed me how to make a jig to hold the parts in place for welding.  He also showed me how to cut out aluminum reinforcing rings and weld them in my four-wheeler rims to make them stronger.”

Michael is career-driven and has his plans in place past high school.

“I chose the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology because it is one of the most respected welding schools in the nation,” Michael states.  “I believe people who attend this school are shaped into better welders and are strongly capable of receiving well improved jobs.”

Michael is also goal-oriented.

“After graduating from Hobart,” says Michael, “I plan to go to work for five to seven years.  Later in my career, I plan to achieve a welding inspector’s certification [CWI].  My ultimate dream is to open my own welding business.”

“Michael’s ability to apply critical thinking skills through design and manufacture will make him an excellent employee,” says Jodie Roush. 

“I am grateful that my family has helped me grow my interest in welding,” Michael continues.  “I know that I have an interesting career ahead of me.”