Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Cte topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seaman students showcase welding skills after Paola contest, new metals teacher says program expanding
Summary
New metals teacher Victoria Thompson highlighted student participation in a recent Paola welding contest, describing required practices and teamwork; students reported provisional placements and staff noted collaboration with FFA for registrations and support.
At the Dec. 9 Seaman USD 345 board meeting, Victoria Thompson, the district’s new metals teacher, introduced her program and invited students who competed in a recent welding contest in Paola to describe their experience.
Thompson said she started in October and has worked closely with two other agriculture teachers, and that the metals program "has just hit the ground running." She described student requirements to attend the contest—multiple practices outside class, a pre‑absence form and grade requirements—and said teams did both beginner and advanced events.
Student Dylan Holt said the beginner team had to practice MIG, T‑joint and stick welding and that competition tasks were revealed on arrival; he said he placed 28th out of 70 participants. Another student said he placed 34th out of 70. Thompson credited local FFA chapters with helping pay registration and providing students who could not fit welding into their schedules.
Board members praised the students and the program, and Thompson said the district will continue to support students pursuing welding and related pathways, noting potential next steps such as students attending Washburn Tech.
