By: Sera F. Quiroga, Communications Staff Writer

Photo Cutline: CBC Welding Instructor Thomas Camacho, Jr. (left) poses with winners from CBC Pleasanton’s Inaugural Welding Expo. Winners from the competition include (from left) Dillon Stobbs, Victor Villarreal, Brady Carpenter and Garret Selby.

The Coastal Bend College (CBC) Welding Expo was held at the Pleasanton location on Thursday, April 13. A total of 21 high school welders from Pleasanton, Skidmore, Charlotte, Kingsville and Pearsall showcased their skills in the T-joint in 3F position (vertical) SMAW process and the oxy-acetylene torch cutting contest.

Judges for the contest include CBC Welding Instructor Mace Gonzalez, Poth High School Welding Instructor Steve Hoenes and Lincoln Electric Representative Steve Hoenes. The CBC Pleasanton would like to thank Lincoln Electric, Alamo Iron Works and PraxAir for their generous donations to the CBC Pleasanton Welding Expo. Donations for the welding expo include a welding hood from Lincoln Electric and two grinders from Alamo Iron Works. In addition, PraxAir donated welding jackets, welding gloves, and hoods for the welding expo.

“I appreciate everything that was donated from the suppliers and distributers,” CBC Welding Instructor Thomas Camacho, Jr. said. “The high school students in the CBC Pleasanton service area will benefit tremendously from these donations.”

Students who competed in the T-joint in 3F position (vertical) SMAW process were judged on their precision and execution. The following students received an award and scholarship from CBC for their welding skills: 1^st place and $1,000 CBC scholarship recipient Victor Villarreal, Pearsall; 2^nd place and $500 CBC scholarship recipient Garret Selby, Pleasanton; and 3^rd place and $250 CBC scholarship recipient Brady Carpenter, Skidmore. In addition, Dillon Stobbs from Pleasanton received first place in the oxy-acetylene torch cutting contest.

All students who received an award at the CBC Pleasanton Welding Expo are also invited to attend the Annual Student Awards, which will take place at Pleasanton Civic Center on Wednesday, April 26.

“We are grateful that our inaugural welding expo at CBC Pleasanton had a great turnout,” CBC Dean of Workforce Training & Pleasanton Site Director Julia Garcia said. “The competition was well received by high schools in the College’s service area and we are looking to expand the competition to the Beeville, Alice and Kingsville locations next year. Our judges and donors were a tremendous help. Without the generosity of these individuals and companies, the welding expo would not have been possible. Additionally, I would like to recognize the CBC Foundation for the scholarships that the winners received and Thomas Camacho, Jr. for organizing this amazing event.”

For more information about the CBC Pleasanton Welding Expo or the welding program at CBC, please contact CBC Welding Instructor Thomas Camacho, Jr. at (830) 569-4222 ext. 1233 or via email at tcamacho@coastalbend.edu.