Recap: Lehigh Valley Sections Student Welding Competition Banquet

By Category: Post Event Report

Date of Event: 03/31/2025

Location: Northampton Community College, Bethlehem PA

Number of Attendees: 64

Presenter/Notable Guest(s): Standing AWS President, Richard Holdren

Event Summary: The 55th Annual Student Awards Banquet for the Lehigh Valley Section. The 17 students along with their parents, administrators and guest enjoyed a fantastic meal. After the meal concluded, President Holdren gave his presentation on “Strength Through Diversity”

Student winners group photos.
Shawn B. of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute was the competition winner. He is photographed with Dino Forst, lead welding instructor at Northampton Community College
Logan G. of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute took 2nd place in the competition. She is photographed with Dino Forst of NCC
James Haimovitz received a Section Educator Award for his hard work and continued support of the AWS section. James teaches at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.
Landon York of Lackawanna CTC is pictured receiving a Section Educator Award. Landon was nominated by his peers for his outstanding teaching.
Don Barndt pictured in the center of the image recieved a District CWI award. Don works for Schlosser Steel in Hatfield, PA. Don is a yearly judge of both the AWS Student Competition and NOCTI judge for several area CTCs.
Andy Laker of Welder Training and Testing Institute (WTTI) received awards for his dedication to teaching adults in the Private Sector within District 3 and the Lehigh Valley Section.
Dennis Tobash received the Dalton E. Hamilton CWI award for his outstanding work and dedication to the inspection world. Dennis is also a WTTI inspector/worker.