Durango High School program sparks passion for welding

A group in a welding workshop gathers around an instructor in a "Durango Demons" hoodie, examining a metal piece while wearing helmets.

Three DHS students shared their passion for welding during the March 11 Board of Education Work Session, held at Animas Valley Elementary School.

A young man in a patterned vest and camo shirt speaks into a mic in a library, sitting at a table with bookshelves behind him.

A young man in a black "MT" cap and olive-green shirt smiles while speaking into a mic in a library, with bookshelves behind him.

A young man in a blue "Blue Collar Tour" hat speaks into a mic in a library, wearing a black shirt with camo sleeves.
The program currently has 105 students. Thanks to Joyner's effort in earning a Certified Welding Instructor license, students can earn welding certificates while they are still in high school. "Students can walk out the classroom door and into industry," said Joyner.

Two people in a welding workshop, one welding while another observes, surrounded by tools, welding machines, and ventilation pipes.
The students talked about building rails at Chapman Hill and placing fifth in a national Steel Days competition in Wyoming. "I was never really sure what I wanted to do in my life, but I found it in Welding 1," said one student. "This summer, I have a job lined up, and I'm really excited. This is what I want to do."