Brent Hayen places in welding contest
Brent Hayen, formerly of Marion, is a welding technology student at Brooks Trade Center in Newton. The school is affiliated with Hutchinson Community College.
Hayen recently competed in a welding competition for VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) members and took third place in the post-secondary category. He is president of the Newton club.
The competition took place at Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita. It included a one-half hour written exam and two hands-on welding projects, one involving steel, the other aluminum. They included several types of welding, such as MIG, TIG, and stick welding.
In an awards ceremony, Hayen received a bronze metal and a small, portable cutting torch.
The one-year course he is taking includes training in the use of robotic welders. The course will be completed May 29, at which time he will receive a certificate in all types of welding.
Hayen said he became interested in welding when he was a vocational agriculture student under Earl Wineinger at Marion High School. He and his wife, Paula, live in Hesston.
