High school junior Joycelyn Coronado holds a hymnal alongside her mother and siblings at Iglesia Evangelical Christiana Espiritual in Clarkton, Mo. Caesar Coronado, Jocelyn’s father, serves as the church's minister. Together, the family hosts Bible studies, social gatherings and church services for the area's Hispanic community.

Harmony Coronado looks up to her older sister, Jocelyn, during Bible study. Harmony is the youngest of nine siblings, ages seven to 26.

Joycelyn and her siblings catch the school bus outside their home. Joycelyn travels first to her high school in Clarkton, Mo., then on to welding class at the Kennett Career and Technology Center in Kennett, Mo. More than 40% of juniors and seniors at Clarkton High School opt to take classes at the center, such as graphic arts, culinary arts, auto mechanics and law enforcement. 

Joycelyn practices shielded metal arc welding. She attends welding classes five days a week, pursuing a profession in which less than 5% of the work force is female. 

Joycelyn butterfly hair clip sits beside her welding gloves and wire brush in the welding lab. Welding gear, including gloves, are usually sized for male bodies. Female students such as Jocelyn, who is 5 feet 1 inch tall, often struggle to find mandatory protective gear that fits their smaller frames.

Students practice shielded metal arc welding. Skilled welders are in high demand becuase of the field's high retirement rate, industry growth and lack of training programs. The welding program, taught by Richard Ross, introduces students to a variety of welding and fabrication processes, preparing them for employment upon graduation.

Photographs of instructor Richard Ross' welding students plaster his wall at Kennett Career and Technology Center. “My female students are often top of the class,” Richard said. “Girls usually have better hand-eye coordination, attention to detail and are more focused.” He’s only had a handful of female students in his 14 years as a teacher.

Joycelyn takes a break with her classmates outside the welding lab. She is one of two female students in her class, which draws its pupils from three Missouri school districts: Clarkton, Seneth and Kennett.

Minister Ceasar Coronado, Joycelyn father, places his hands on the heads of his congregation as they pray at Iglesia Evangelical Christiana Espiritual. It is her father’s position as a religious leader that has forced the family to move often. 

Joycelyn takes an evening walk to watch the sun set across the cotton fields that surround her family’s home in Clarkton, Mo. Joycelyn is the first in her family to pursue a career centered around a skilled trade, in her case, welding. Her parents and siblings support her goals. She said she hopes her hard work and training will lead to gainful employment, allowing her to contribute financially to her close-knit family.