The Pearland High School Welding program is celebrating a significant victory as its team earned the Grand Champion title in Tier 1 of the Industrial Craft Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). This prestigious achievement marks a significant progression for the program, which secured Reserve Grand Champion in Tier 2 during its inaugural participation last year.
The Industrial Craft Competition, a vital platform for fostering industrial craft skills, challenges students enrolled in career and technical education programs across Texas. Teams meticulously construct a spec-built project, undergo rigorous judging by industry experts, and deliver comprehensive presentations detailing their work. The competition also emphasizes the importance of documentation, requiring students to maintain detailed journals outlining their roles, safety plans, incident logs, project schedules, and any necessary rework. Industry mentors collaborate with high school students and instructors, providing invaluable expertise and guidance throughout the process.
PHS Welding students commenced their project in October 2024 and completed it by the end of January 2025. The dedicated team, consisting of Travis Pennica, Brycen Flanagan, Matthew Shanks, Liberty Guza, Owen Gray, Brendan Gordon, Jude Moncus, Julian Cisneros, Michael Middleton, Garrett Cloud, and Mason Galvan, showcased exceptional skill and teamwork. Notably, many of these students participated in the team’s successful debut last year.
“This has been an incredibly exciting year for our PHS Welding students and for the entire district,” said Howard Rose, PHS Welding instructor. “Moving up to Tier 1 and achieving Grand Champion is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent of our students. We are immensely proud of their accomplishment.”
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Industrial Craft Competition plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of skilled professionals, providing students with hands-on experience and industry exposure.
