Matt Bagby (12) has only been welding for three years but he has already had great success.

Bagby began welding on a whim but it has grown into into much more.

“It’s something I’m good at and passionate about,” Bagby said.

This passion began at South Tech, where he is enrolled in the welding class.

On Jan. 25 several of the students in that class, including Bagby, competed at Missouri Welding

Institute’s 4th annual welding competition. Bagby placed 6th out of 140 students, and received a $750 scholarship prize.

His success continued on Feb. 15 when he traveled to Tulsa Oklahoma to compete at the 10th annual high school senior welding contest. He placed 2nd, and received a $9000 scholarship, as well as a new welding helmet and gear bag.

He plans on returning to Tulsa next year to study welding and eventually work on a pipe line.