Seniors compete in Tulsa

Despite the snow covering Tulsa, Oklahoma, seniors Landry Byrd and Tyler Korczynski heated up the welding competition held at the Tulsa Welding School on Feb. 21. The boys each received $500 in scholarship money, which they plan to use next year when they attend the Tulsa Welding School in Houston.

“The Houston campus just opened last year,” Byrd said. “The school itself has been open for about 40 years, so there was a lot to take away from this competition and a lot to look forward to in the future.”

The competition itself consisted of welding three separate plates and one pipe together, something both boys considered challenging.

“There was one type of weld we hadn’t practiced,” Korczynski said. “It was just a different weld, a different machine, and a challenge.”

The boys competed against 260 other competitors at the school.

“There were a ton of people at the competition, so we were proud to be able to even compete,” Byrd said. “It was something we hadn’t done before, but we were comfortable.”

Upon completing the competition, Byrd and Korczynski had the chance to tour the Tulsa campus.

“The school in Tulsa is a lot older than the one in Houston, but it’s the same concept and I’m looking forward to attending,” Korczynksi said. “It’s definitely a big change from Devine’s little shop, but it’s one that I think we’re both ready for.”