These three Carson High students are serious contenders when it comes to welding

His eyes brighten and convey the answer before any words come out of his mouth.

Charles Shirley's answer is clearly yes.

Yes, one or all of his students competing in the Skills USA welding competition in April could take top positions.

Yes, students Andrew Meyer, Joe Brillhart and Mike Cooke, who took first, second and fourth place in the recent regional Skills USA welding competition at Western Nevada Community College, know their stuff.

Yes, these students dismantling a huge chunk of metal in the sunlight behind Carson High School are taught the ins and outs of arc welds, wire feeds and cutting torch welds.

"Anyone can go out and do a weld," Andrew said. "But when you're on the spot, it's a totally different ball game."

He, Joe and Mike will move on to the April 12-15 state competition in Las Vegas.

Skills USA is the largest, well-known occupational competition in the United States. Twenty students will compete for one spot at the national Skills USA competition.

As these Carson High welders found out at regionals, they're not so much concerned about students they don't know as with each other.

"I was very surprised to win," Andrew said. "Every time we set the metal down, I saw Joe's. I knew the two of us were really close."

"My biggest concern was Andrew, just because I knew he was the biggest competition," Joe said. "I'm glad he won, but I'd still like to get first."

This is not the first time one of Shirley's welding students achieved first place at regionals. His students credit him for his drive.

"Shirley is one of those people who is more than a teacher to us," Joe said. "I'd definitely say he's an impact on my life. I went into welding to take a class, and now it's something I want to do."

"He kind of pushes us to practice," Mike said. "He really tries to get us to focus on book work."

Shirley came to Carson High 11 years ago to start the welding program. Many of the Carson Middle School students who come into the program from Bill Schultz' class come with welding knowledge.

But Eagle Valley Middle School has no such program and Shirley's afraid that the federal funding provided through the Carl Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, will be used for continuing education at the college level and leave high school middle school programs in need.

"I really hope some assemblymen read this article," he said. "There's an Assembly bill, AB48, that would supply money to these programs over the next few years. Carl Perkins has kept us alive." The federal act is named for a Kentucky congressman who was a leader in vocational education in the 1960s.

And Shirley's fund-raising efforts keep the program going, the students driven and the winners winning.

"I''m pretty confident," Andrew said. "I think we're going to get two of the top three places."

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.