Delta Technical College Presents $1,500 in Donations to Local High School Welding Departments

Delta Technical College (DTC) presented a $1,000 check donation and plaque to Kingsbury Career & Technology Center in Memphis, TN on April 8, 2021 following the annual DTC High School Welding Competition. The $1,000 donation was part of the award for the first-place winner of the competition, Victor Fernandez of Kingsbury Career & Technology Center, and will be used to support the career center’s welding department.

The check and plaque were presented to the welding competition winner, Victor Fernandez, and Ted Binford, Welding Instructor at Kingsbury Career & Technology Center. The donation was presented by Tom Pullin, Campus President at DTC’s Horn Lake campus, and High School Representative, Latrice Hawthorne.

DTC’s High School Welding Competition was held at the Horn Lake, MS campus on Saturday, March 20th, 2021. First place of the senior division was awarded to Victor Fernandez of Kingsbury Career & Technology Center, who was awarded a $5,000 DTC scholarship. Finishing in second place was James McGrew of Lake High School, who was awarded a $2,500 DTC scholarship. Lance McKinney of South Panola High School finished in third place and was awarded a $1,000 DTC scholarship.

The winner of the junior division was Austin Taylor of South Panola High School, who also earned his school a $500 donation. DTC presented the check to Patrick Parham, Lead Teacher for the Welding Program at South Panola High School.

“We have seen over the last year how essential the skilled trades are in our everyday life,” says Louie Schonauer, Director of High School Admissions at DTC. “We are honored to be a part of training the future of the welding industry workforce, and we are proud to support the welding programs in our local high schools. This training is so important to students who are looking for a path after high school that doesn’t include traditional 2-year or 4-year college, but still offers the opportunity for a fulfilling career. That’s our goal at DTC, to prepare students to gain employment in the skilled trades industry.”

DTC’s High School Welding Competition is an annual competition for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the welding industry. All participants in the welding competition received a $500 DTC scholarship. A total of $14,000 in DTC scholarships were awarded to high school seniors at this year’s DTC competition. The competition involves a timed welding project that is judged before a panel of welding experts.