Recap: 55th Annual AWS Student Welding Competition

By Category: Post Event Report

Date of Event: 03/06/2026

Location: Warren County Technical School, NJ

Number of Attendees: 18 Student competitors, 9 instructors and 2 judges present

Event Summary: This year Warren County Technical School in NJ hosted the Lehigh Valley’s 55th Annual AWS Student Welding Competition. Instructor Chad Feilbach designed, prepped and hosted the competition for the students. There were 18 student competitors from 9 CTE schools across PA and NJ who showed up to showcase their skills in the hopes of winning prizes at the banquet being held on April 15th, 2026 when President Dr. Burgess visits District #3. 

Student competitors listening to Instructor Feilbach (center of picture) go over the blueprints and rules for the day.
This years contest required the students to weld a stainless triangle using intermittent weld patterns, a OFC project, a Keystone cut out, D1.1 (uphill) layered out and a see-saw project. In addition to the welding projects, the students took a written test and evaluated welds on a pass/fail basis.
Ms. Talia Matos-Keller places her finished welds down for the judges review.
End of day photo of the student competitors, many relieved the pressure is over to compete for the day. Job well done lady and gents!!