Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds light and variable..

Some clouds. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.

Students from the Sequoyah, Oologah, Foyil and Inola FFA chapters gathered in Chelsea Wednesday for the second annual Welding Rodeo.

Thirteen teams of two competed in three welding challenges designed to test students on the welding skills they’ve learned this school year.

Students used a stick machine to cut material and weld a small box that can hold water. With a wire welder they cut material and built a usable saw horse. And then, with a gas-powered generator welder, outdoors, they had to measure and cut material to make an H-brace for a fence.

Chelsea FFA and Ag Instructor Travis Jinkens designed the challenges to test students not only on their welding and safety basics, but also on math and their ability to read and follow detailed spec instructions.

“This is probably one of the most hands-on contests that we can have, because they are actually taking raw materials, taking a piece of metal, and turning it into something,” Jinkens said.

Winners of the second Welding Rodeo were Jake Swafford and Wyatt Reed of Chelsea followed by another Chelsea team and three teams from Oologah.

All of the students underwent safety training at their schools before they ever stepped into the welding shops at their schools to begin with, but keeping those safety rules in mind was critical during the competition.

“Welding and construction is one of the main subject areas for agriculture education, especially in Oklahoma,” Jinkens said.

Students use the skills that they learned in the Ag mechanic shop, whether it’s running a cutting torch or a welder, to find apprenticeships and paid work while they’re still in high school, and to prepare for a career afterwards.

“We’re very blessed in Rogers County to have the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority (CIEDA) to provide jobs for kids with all the industry that we have,” Jinkens said, listing off a number of large scale industries based in the county. “Our kids can learn in the shop here, they can got to VoTech, and then they can have a job and a career right here at home in Rogers County.”

The positive feelings are mutual.

CIEDA’s Meggie Froman-Knight had only glowing things to say about the collaborative event.

“Seeing students excited to share their skills, while learning how to finesse them alongside FFA alumni, who are now professional welders at our industrial partners, truly showcases the full circle effect of talent development in Rogers County,” said Froman-Knight. “We look forward to these students joining great Claremore companies in the future and hopefully giving back, too.”

Jinkens also thanked the many sponsors who made the competition possible.

While the competition is a fun way to challenge the students’ skills, Jinkens said it is truly rewarding for the Ag instructors.

“I’ve been teaching for 16 years, and this event is probably one of my favorite days as an Ag teacher,” Jinkens said. “It’s just amazing to see kids start a project, and have as many of them as we did, and then accomplish something at the end of the day.”

Jinkens said the contest challenges students in the same ways that a real job would, so it is a fun opportunity to see high school students flourish into young professionals.

“It’s a really good contest that gives kids an opportunity to use their minds and have to think, and then they have to produce and make something,” Jinkens said. “As Ag teachers we know they are ready to go and work for somebody.”

Betty Jean Smith, 95, of Oologah, OK passed away, Tuesday, June 14, 2022 in Broken Arrow, OK. She was born May 12, 1927 in Borger, TX to Arthur Jerome Pavey and the former Patience Leona Weeks. She had lived in Oologah Since 1964 having moved from Tulsa, OK. She was a member of the Oologah U…

Mike Aery left this world to be in the arms of his Heavenly Father on June 3. A long time Inola resident, he is survived by his children, Lori Aery and son Alex of Tulsa, Melissa and Tye Moffet of Claremore, and Ashley Aery and children Jack and Mason. He is also survived by his brother and …

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