Cranberry High School junior Dakota Urey stands with welding instructor Travis Crate as he accepts an reward at the College-Level AWS Weld-Off in December at the Pittsburgh Technical Institute. (Contributed by Cranberry Area School District)
By NICK RICHAR and SAMUEL BLACK WIGREN
Student contributors
“I was overwhelmed and excited,” said Dakota Urey, who recently placed 2nd at a College-Level AWS Weld-Off.
Urey is a junior at Cranberry High School, who attends CCAC (Community College of Allegheny County) at night. He goes to the Venango Technology Center through the day, enrolled in their welding shop, then takes classes at CCAC in the evenings.
It was through the college class that Urey had the opportunity to participate in the competition held in December at the Pittsburgh Technical Institute.
Preparing for the event, Urey stated that he spent weeks practicing: “I had to perfect the vertical up and overhead welding positions.”
He received a $200 cash prize, a plaque, and an X-Ray qualification from the System One Testing Laboratory for winning 2nd place.
Noting the role his instructor played, he stated, “I’ve had such a great welding instructor who has given me the opportunity to do this.”
Nick Richar and Samuel Black Wigren are students at Cranberry High School and members of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
