ABERDEEN, S.D. – It started with a few students wanting to stay after school to weld, but now the Iron Eagles Welding Club has grown into a full-fledged student organization at Central High School’s ATEC Academy.
The Iron Eagles formed last fall and now has about a dozen students regularly attending.
The group is led by student officers Elizabeth Preszler, president; Corban Landis, vice president; Novella Pharris, secretary; and Cody Edwards, treasurer.
All four students are going into welding as a career or strongly considering it.
“I’m going to Mitchell Tech for welding next year,” said Preszler, a senior.
Sophomores Landis and Pharris both intend to pursue welding at Lake Area Tech. Edwards, also a sophomore, is considering welding, though he’s not certain of his career path yet.
“Welding is always a good skill to have in any job,” he said.
Iron Eagles is open to all Central students. No welding experience is required for students who just want to be part of the group.
ATEC Welding Instructor Michael Lillis said there’s a social aspect to the club.
“Some just want to hang out with the welding kids,” Lillis said. “So that is also something we embrace.”
Students who do want to weld must take the Welding 1 course or go through safety training.
Club members recently held a successful fundraiser where they sold hearts they cut out with a plasma cutter and spray-painted. The money they raise goes to things like materials, training, and T-shirts for club members.
For anyone who wants to try welding but is nervous, the students encouraged them to give it a try.
“I didn’t know I wanted to do welding until this year,” Pharris said.
She recommended shadowing another student. Landis said to go at your own pace, or to start by using the welding simulator.
Edwards said explaining how welding works can help ease students’ fears.
“A big part of helping them is have them understand what’s going on,” he said.
Edwards, who lives on a farm, said he had done welding and metal working previously. He and Landis also took welding classes in the former industrial technology program at Holgate Middle School.
Landis also said his dad was an engineer at Molded Fiber Glass, so he always liked manufacturing. When he got to try welding at Holgate, “I thought it was awesome.”
For Preszler, a cousin influenced her decision to attend Mitchell Tech and pursue welding.
“He was a welder, and he kind of got into it, and I was like, ‘maybe I should try it,’” she said. “I did it, and I liked it. So now I’m here.”
Join the Iron Eagles
The Iron Eagles Welding Club meets the second Thursday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the ATEC welding classroom. The group is always looking for new members, and all CHS students are welcome.
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.