EAST JORDAN – Welding students from East Jordan High School proudly represented their school and Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education programming on May 9, 2025, at Ferris State University’s prestigious 21st Annual Secondary Welding Competition.
This year’s competition brought together 143 skilled competitors from 33 schools and ISDs across Michigan. Each school had the opportunity to send up to five students, with one competing in each of five categories: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Oxygen Fuel Welding (OFW), and Combined Skills Fabrication.
Students who represented East Jordan’s welding program, and the students’ home districts, are:
- Oxygen Acetylene Welding – Evincio LaCount, junior, Ellsworth Public Schools
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Noah Postmus, senior, East Jordan High School
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Logan Wolf, senior, Petoskey High School
- Gas Metal Arc Welding – Hadly McCaffery, junior, East Jordan High School
- Combined Process Fabrication – Kenneth Balch, senior, East Jordan High School
Postmus earned an honorable mention in the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) category, standing out among some of Michigan’s best welding students.
“Competing against some of the best high school welders from across the state was an incredible opportunity,” said Balch. “I’m really grateful I got to experience this. Seeing one of my classmates receive an honorable mention made the whole event even more rewarding.”
Josh Todd, JMG Specialist for East Jordan, Central Lake, and Beaver Island Public Schools, said all five East Jordan welding students are enrolled in Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG), a program of Northwest Michigan Works! dedicated to helping students build skills and pathways to future success.
“This was our first time at the event, and what an incredible learning experience,” he said. “Seeing how our students stacked up against others from across the state was really exciting, and having all five of them in the JMG program made it even more special. JMG has opened so many doors for them, giving them opportunities they might not have had otherwise.”
Todd also credited collaboration with East Jordan welding instructor Dave Muladore in bringing new skills and opportunities to students.
“We’re incredibly proud that our East Jordan CTE welding class stood alongside schools from across the state, showcasing their talents and hard work,” Todd added. “This year’s competition was a fantastic opportunity for these welding students to showcase their skills, connect with peers, and take another step toward bright futures in welding, thanks to the invaluable support from Dave Muladore and Jobs for Michigan Graduates.”
More than $89,000 in scholarships and gifts were awarded during the event, providing invaluable opportunities for participating students.
All Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education programs are open to any student, from any Char-Em district. Learn more at www.charemisdcareertech.org or ask your high school counselor how to enroll.
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Photo caption: Pictured from left are Josh Todd, Evincio LaCount, Logan Wolf, Kenneth Balch, Noah Postmus, Dave Muladore, and Hadly McCaffery.