Justin Beggs, a junior at Cranberry High School, earned 1st place in a welding competition at the Steamfitters Local 449 Training Center in Harmony, Pennsylvania, part of the American Welding Society (AWS), Pittsburgh Section. 

Beggs competed in the post-secondary division.

“I loved going to the competition. It was a fun experience all around. The people there were very kind and even gave us food after the competition was over, along with getting a tour of the facility.”

Competitors of the annual competition had to weld a vertical-up and overhead v-groove with a backing. They had an hour to do so. The weldments that passed visual inspection were sent to a company for x-ray inspection.

Beggs has been welding for two years at the Venango Technology Center (VTC) and also took a college welding class from October 2023 to March 2024 through the Community College of Allegheny County.

“I like welding because, for me personally, it's calming. It wasn't what I originally intended to do in life, but once I got into vo-tech and tried it, I found that I really enjoyed it and wanted to learn as much as I could,” said Beggs.

Beggs won a kit from SkyOxygen, a first-place plaque, a hoodie, and a monetary award.