This was not Ricky Dudley’s and Gunner Moore’s first Victoria College Welding Rodeo.

The two Calhoun High School seniors teamed with senior Ignacio Fortanel and junior Creighton Orsonia to capture the event’s title for a second straight year on Nov. 9.

Five high schools were represented in the six-team competition that began at 9 a.m. and concluded at 2 p.m.

The Calhoun team arrived at the competition not knowing what they would create.

“We just started looking at pictures this morning when we got here,” Moore said. “We had no clue what we were going to do.”
The foursome decided on creating a potted cactus plant with “CHS” prominently displayed.

“It was pretty difficult lining all the pieces up,” Dudley said. “Gunner was cutting. The rest of us started bending them and welding them.”
Victoria College offers welding training, including a Welding Occupational Skills Award, a Basic Welding Certificate, an Advanced Welding Certificate and three levels of Workforce and Continuing Education training.

For more information visit VictoriaCollege.edu/Welding or call (361) 573-3291.