The Regional SkillsUSA VICA welding competition was held at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology on Saturday, March 1, 2003.  Thirteen students representing 13 area schools participated including Zac Doepel of Kettering Fairmont High School, Thomas Fitzgerald of D. Russel Lee Career Technology Center (CTC), Vincent Harvey of Laurel Oaks Career Development Center (CDC), Matt Hoffman from Live Oaks CDC, Adam Jervis of Green County Career Center, Davy Jordan of Diamond Oaks CTC, Mike Kelly of Warren County Career Center, Jake Knous of Miami Valley CTC, Rusty Langston of Upper Valley JVS, Derrick Olwin of Springfield Clarke Co. JVS, Brian McMillin of Tolles Technical Center, Eric Menchhofer of Tri-Star Compact, and Jack Sheppard of Scarlet Oaks CTC. 

 Each of these students proved their ability at their home schools prior to participating in the regional event.  The top three will participate in competition at the state level.  Top performers of the day included:

1st place:  Jake Knous - Miami Valley Career Tech Center

2nd place:  Eric Menchhofer - Tri Star Compact

3rd place:  Adam Jervis - Greene Co. Career Center

4th place:  Derrick Olwin - Springfield Clark JVS

 Richard Pridemore of Butler Technology and Career Development Center indicated, “The Southwest Regional Skills USA VICA Welding Competition brings together the best students that career and technical education has to offer in Southwest Ohio.  Students get the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the areas of blueprint reading, layout, cutting and welding on a variety of materials.  Students placing 1st and 2nd in the regional competition will be heading to the state welding competition. One reason the southwest regional welding competition is so successful is in part due to Hobart Institute of Welding who offers their facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and staff to allow this to be one of the elite regional competitions in the state. Thanks Hobart Institute of Technology!!"

 HIWT Technical Instructor Chuck Ford assisted Richard Pridemore and Dan Schroer, Vice President of Secondary Workforce Education at the Butler Technology and Career Development Center, in organizing the day-long event. 

“The Hobart Institute is pleased to host this event each year.  HIWT provides an up-to-date facility that meets the needs of these young welders.  It also provides them with an opportunity to learn about what is beyond their high school experience,” Chuck Ford comments.