05/11/2026
The Hornet Welding Team closed out an incredible season at the Texas High School Welding Series Finals, bringing 23 welders and 1 Build-Off Team to compete May 6–8, 2026. We are extremely proud of how our students represented our school, our program, and the welding trade at the state level.
In Level 1, Joel B and Geovanni M both advanced to the second round and finished in the Top 20 in the state, with Joel B earning the title of Reserve State Champion Welder. In the year-long points chase, Kayla L and Kadi T competed in Level 2 for the points championship, with Kayla finishing 4th and Kadi finishing 6th, while the Hornet Build-Off Team finished the season as the overall State Points Champions.
Although the Build-Off Team fell just short of the Top 5 at the state finals and did not repeat as event champions, their consistent performance all year earned them the top spot in the standings.
Hornet Welders also racked up major industry certifications during the finals. Level 1 welders Joel B and Geovanni M both earned an AWS D9.1 3F Lap Weld in the SMAW process, with Joel B later adding an AWS D9.1 5F Pipe-to-Plate in SMAW. In Level 2, the following students earned an AWS D1.1 2G w/backing FCAW: Kadi T, Ezekiel K, Joel W, Cason M, and Arturo R.
On top of that, Kayla L and Kadi T were recognized with their scholarship banners from the Texas High School Welding Series, highlighting their hard work in and out of the booth. We are very proud of these Hornet Welders, their grit, and the way they finished the year on one of the biggest stages in Texas high school welding.
We are also proud to share that four Hornet Welders — Kalvin C., Marco A., Kadi T., and Kayla L. — gained experience by participating in a SPACEX weld test, demonstrating their ability to perform at an elite industry level. For a high school welder, gaining experience with an industry weld test is a major milestone because it shows they are learning to meet real-world quality standards that employers look for when hiring. Achievements like this help our students stand out in a competitive job market, opening doors to high-paying careers in fabrication, construction, and advanced manufacturing right out of school.
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