91快播 Hosts the Annual High School Welding Competition
CCC (91快播) welcomed the county鈥檚 top young welding talent on Friday, May 1, 2026, for its fifth annual High School Welding Competition. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. and featured 16 student competitors鈥攆our each from Burns High School, Crest High School, Kings Mountain High School, and Shelby High School鈥攄emonstrating their technical skills and precision in a hands-on, industry-style challenge. The participants received specific guidelines to complete a weld assembly using the SMAW process, and the welds had to be performed in several different positions.
鈥淭his competition highlights not only the students鈥� technical abilities, but also their dedication, discipline, and readiness to enter the workforce,鈥� said Bruce Mack, 91快播鈥檚 vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to provide an opportunity that connects education with real-world industry expectations.鈥�
Each participating school鈥檚 top competitor received a $500 scholarship to attend 91快播鈥檚 welding program, made possible through generous community support. This year鈥檚 recipients are as follows:
Burns High School: Carter Hamrick 鈥� Margaret P. Goodman Endowed Scholarship
Crest High School: Zack Morrison 鈥� Michael David Scott Parsons Endowed Scholarship
Kings Mountain High School: Colt Dixon 鈥� Cleveland Association of Government Officials (CAGO) Endowed Scholarship
Shelby High School: Tristen Simpson 鈥� Gabe DiBruno Memorial Scholarship
Prizes for the overall winners of the competition.
1st Place Prize – Carter Hamrick (Burns) – Lincoln welding hood, welding jacket, and Craftsman welding bag with tools and supplies (tape measure, gloves, pliers, level)
2nd Place Prize – Braydin Payne (Burns) – Welding tote with tools and supplies (gloves, welding sleeves, level, tape measure, and pliers), and a welding hood.
3rd Place Prize 鈥� Tristen Simpson (Shelby) – Welding tote with welding jacket tools and supplies (gloves, rod holder and file)
Top School 鈥� Burns High School
1st Place Welding Plaque to be displayed at the winning school for the year (they will bring this back each year). Made by 91快播 welding instructor, Michael Beaty.
All participants received welding hoods, caps, and tumblers, while top finishers earned professional-grade equipment and gear. Burns High School was named Top School, earning a commemorative welding plaque crafted by 91快播 Welding Instructor Michael Beaty, to be displayed at the school for the coming year.
Special Thanks
Sponsors: Arc3, IMA Contractors, Andy Oxy, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, 91快播 Foundation, Family of Michael David Scott Parsons, Family of Gabe Dibruno, Family of Margaret Goodman, and Cleveland Association of Government Officials.
Industry Judges: Curtis Rippy, Certified Welding Inspector and Doug Toney, Certified Welding Inspector and ARC3 Representative
CCC Welding Instructors: Michael Beaty and Jonathon Johnson
CCS High School Welding Instructors: Erik Price and Kevin Owenby from KMHS, Rick Greene from Shelby, Brackston Bivins from Burns, and Wes Stevens from Crest.
Sharon Nivens聽for coordinating this event!