Students from University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett earned several top finishes during the 2026 Arkansas SkillsUSA Conference held April 13-16 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs.
A total of 13 students representing UAM-CTC and its concurrent welding programs competed in the statewide event, which showcases career and technical education skills among high school and college students across Arkansas.
Among the top finishers in the college division for pipe welding, Joseph Kyle Petrus earned a gold medal while Conner Curry received silver.
In the high school division, Felipe Martinez earned a silver medal in pipe welding. Two students competing in the sculpture category also placed in the competition. Braydi Moffatt received a gold medal, while Hayden Seals earned bronze.
UAM-CTC’s delegation included five college welding students and nine high school concurrent enrollment welding students from Crossett High School and Hamburg High School.
Additional competitors included Eli Chambers and Christopher Crisostomo from UAM-CTC, along with Matthew Chace from Crossett High School. Hamburg High School students Rafael Dominguez, Nathan Lemus, Sebastian Martinez, Karson Mondragon and Will Patrick also participated in the event.
Donnie Dubose, welding technology instructor at UAM-CTC, praised the students’ preparation and work ethic following the competition.
“Just when I think the welders can’t get any better, they do,” Dubose said. “I am proud of their work and their effort and have enjoyed the opportunity to teach them and watch them prepare for competition.”
Gold medal winners at the state conference qualify to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference scheduled for June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia. Moffatt plans to represent Arkansas at the national competition with her sculpture titled “The Beginning,” a rotating guitar sculpture featuring multiple welding techniques and musical accents.
Tracy Tucker said the students represented the school well during the conference and received positive attention from welding professionals attending the event.
SkillsUSA is a national organization focused on preparing students for careers in technical, trade and skilled service industries through competitions, leadership opportunities and workforce development programs.
UAM-CTC offers both a certificate of proficiency in welding and a technical certificate in welding technology for students interested in the field.
