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January 14TH, 2025 – yuma, AZ
Yuma, Arizona – On January 14th and 15th, 2025, Weld Like a Girl hosted 2 separate Project MFG Youth Welding Challenges, providing young welders the opportunity to learn new skills and compete for prizes.
These two welding challenges allowed a total of 62 home-schooled students between the ages of 10 and 17 to learn more about welding and the many career options available in the skilled trades.
Host: Weld Like a Girl
1350 South 3rd Ave. Yuma, AZ
Youth Welding Challenge
In the morning, the students learned how to read blueprints, learned different metal cutting techniques, and learned welding techniques from Shanen Aranmor, owner of Weld Like a Girl, and spent the afternoon fabricating and welding a custom metal palm tree sculpture to test their skill and precision to produce a group project.
The group projects made by the local students will be donated to Amberly’s Place, a local domestic abuse treatment center in Yuma, Arizona where they will be auctioned off to support those in need in the Yuma community.
Career Discovery Event
Alongside the competition, students had the opportunity to speak with the Yuma Southwest Contractors Association at our “Career Discovery Event” and learn more about the importance of these skills and the career options for skilled trades within the Yuma community.
Felly Ricci, the Development and Outreach Coordinator for the Yuma Southwest Contractors Association further invited them all to attend the 4th Annual Career & Trades Experience they are hosting March 4th & 5th, 2025 held at the Yuma Fairgrounds that will provide hands-on experience to Yuma’s youth as they embark on their journey into a trade career.
The Career Discovery Event ended with a visit from the Yuma Fire Department where students were encouraged to explore a working firetruck.
Judges
The competition was judged by a panel of expert welders and industry professionals who evaluated the contestants on a variety of criteria, such as the quality of their welds, the accuracy of their measurements, and their ability to follow instructions. At the end of each day, the winners were announced.
The top three teams at each event won Weld Like a Girl Gift Certificates to further their welding training. All the participants had the opportunity to be mentored by industry leaders, learn new skills, and receive a gift bag from Project MFG. A special thanks to our industry expert, Dave Lynnes, who was invited to be a guest judge from the Lynnes Welding training schools in North Dakota and Minnesota.
January 14th, 2025 winners:
First place team:
Dillon Wasser
Lois Moran
Rosie Moran
Mentor: Melody Fearn
Second place team:
Alan Averett
Bonnie-Ann Walmsley
Noah Roberts Estonian
Mentor: Dave Lynnes
Third place team:
Brynlyn Umphress
Kina Vincent
Ellie Sommers
Mentor: Chris Grasser
January 15th, 2025 winners:
First place team:
Camden Shumate
Jaxon Geiler
Kevin “Ikaika” Okamura
Mentor: William Crittenden
Second place team:
Dane Donaldson
David Vogel
Noah “Makana” Okamura
Trevor Bingaman
Mentor: Kayla Keenan
Third place team:
Aubrey Nemlowill
Luke Vogel
Colton Orinion
Mentor: Dominic Jaramillo
Event Photos
about Weld like a girl
Weld Like A Girl™ is an empowerment project using welding and creativity to boost self-esteem and whole-person wellness.. We focus on creating an inviting atmosphere for girls and women but all are welcome. We provide a safe space to explore the mysterious world of welding and cutting hot metal, understanding that this world may be completely foreign and many will need some guidance navigating along the way.
about project mfg
Project MFG shines a light on the need and opportunities for skilled trades by focusing on the development of new talent to provide a path forward for individuals and our country. As an integrated workforce development and recruitment effort, Project MFG collaborates across communities, the private sector, and government to expand the U.S. industrial base workforce.
For more information about Project MFG competitions and future events, please visit projectmfg.com or contact marketing@projectmfg.com.
