Local high school students took home top honors at the recent California FFA Agricultural Welding State Finals held at Cuesta College on Saturday, May 4.

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The competition included, welding application, a written test, job portfolio/application and weld testing/inspection. Of the 68 students from 18 California high schools, Santa Maria High School placed first and Paso Robles High School placed fifth in the team rankings, and in the individual rankings Tanner Tuttle placed first, Devin Miller placed second, and Justin Rich placed fourth, all Santa Maria High School students.

“This competition is beneficial to the student participants as it gives them real-world experience and prepares them for what the industry is seeking, it gives high school faculty an opportunity to ask questions and improve their curriculum, and it allows Cuesta College welding students to share in the leadership responsibilities of administrating a large-scale welding event,” said competition advisor and Cuesta College Welding Instructor Rob Thoresen.

The winning teams received equipment donated by welding manufacturers. This was the seventh year the event has been held and plans are in place to hold the event again next year.