1st Annual N.E.A. Weld-A-Thon held at ASU Technical Center in Jonesboro, AR.

The 1st Annual Northeast Arkansas Weld-A-Thon was held at the Arkansas State Technical Center in Jonesboro, AR on February 19th, 2010.  Students from regional high school FFA and welding programs competed in 5 skill areas: general welding and safety knowledge, basic print reading, oxy-acetylene cutting, stick electrode welding and mig wire welding.  Zack Morris of Brookland won 1st place in the individual competition and Paragould High School won 1st place in the team competition.  Zack's prizes included a Full Scholarship toward a Welding Technical Certificate, furnished by the ASU Technical Center, a Lincoln Mig Welder, furnished by Ozarc Gas and a plague signifying his achievement.  Paragould High School won an Esab Plasma Cutting Machine, furnished by Esab Welding and Cutting and a 1st Place Trophy.  The ASU Technical Center and Ozarc Gas Co-Hosted the event.  Major Sponsors included Esab Welding and American Railcar Industries, Inc.  Other Sponsors included The Steel Yard, Ace Industrial Products, Northeast Arkansas Trophies and Caps Plus.