Northern Westmoreland student wins state welding competition, moves on to national

Kiski Area High School junior Grace Wilferd put her knowledge of welding on display to win big at a competition last weekend in Hershey.

Wilferd, 16, of Allegheny Township took first place in the welding demonstration competition at the SkillsUSA State and Leadership Conference, held April 6-8.

Additionally, she received a $2,500 scholarship to the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Wilferd is in her second year of the welding technology program at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, which also educates vo-tech high school students from Burrell, Franklin Regional and New Kensington-Arnold. Skills­USA is a nationwide nonprofit that promotes career and technical education.

During the three-day competition, Wilfred’s demonstration was judged on the elements required to become a qualified bridge welder. It was her first time competing at the state level.

While the public might see welding as purely a technical skill, Wilferd takes a creative approach. “I fell in love with the art form of welding,” she said.

She loves to listen to classical music when she fires up her welding torch. “I like ballet music. It helps me to stay calm and breathe,” she said, adding that she also enjoys painting with acrylics.

Wilfred has earned multiple welding certifications from the American Welding Society Bridge Welding Code. She’s qualified to create welds in the flat, horizontal and vertical positions with the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick welding) process.

With her win at the state level, Wilferd will represent Northern Westmoreland this summer, competing against 6,500 other students from throughout the U.S., at the 58th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference Championships on June 20-24 in Atlanta.

“I had my doubts, but when they called my name I was thrilled,” said Wilferd. She said it’s been 17 years since a Kiski Area student has attended at the national level.

Wilferd said her father encouraged her to consider a career in the trades. Some of her friends were shocked when she decided to pursue a career in welding.

“They said they never would have guessed it. But I’m not a girly-type girl,” Wilferd said. “My dad did trades — motorcycle mechanics — so he knew it would be better for me than having all the college debt.”

Wilferd thinks some people have misconceptions about enrolling in the trades in high school.

“You don’t have to go to college to be happy. Trades are really fun. I get it’s not for everyone, but I feel a lot of people look down on trades,” Wilferd said.

Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center welding instructor George Kirk praised Wilferd’s work ethic, describing her as hardworking with a positive attitude.

“Kids like Grace are are the backbone of our country,” Kirk said. “She has attention to detail and is very mature.”

He underlined that welding is a viable career choice, with salaries starting at $40,000 and going up to $100,000, depending on individual welding skill sets and experience.

Northern Westmoreland enrolls 67 students in the Welding Technology program, 10 of them female.

Kiski Area High School Principal Chad Roland said he’s had the opportunity to watch Wilferd’s welding skills.

“Grace is an excellent example of a student performing at a high level at the NWCTC and here at Kiski Area High School,” Roland said. “We’re so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her future successes.”

Wilfred said her career plans may focus on underwater welding.

“There’s a high demand for female underwater welders,” Wilferd said.