May 14, 2021
Top high school welders put their skills to the test during the First Brandon Blackford Memorial Welding Competition hosted by the Olney Central College Welding Program.
Fourteen students from Richland County, Fairfield Community, Red Hill, Newton Community, Edwards County and Hutsonville high schools competed for scholarships and prizes during the event held at the West Richland Center in Noble.
First-place finisher Jackson Martin, of Newton, won a $350 scholarship, a Lincoln V350 Pro Welder and a helmet. Second-place winner Tyler Dowty and third-place winner Jacob Taylor, both of Olney, received $100 and $50 scholarships, respectively. They also won Lincoln V300 Invertec welders and helmets.