First Weld Wire “Spark” Award Winner!
Congratulations to Chrissy Heizer, 17, Winner of the First Weld Wire “Spark” Award!
 Chrissy posing with her gear and awards |
 Chrissy in action |
 Chrissy and instructor Chris King |
“I wanted a challenge. I wanted to prove to myself and others that I can not only survive in the welding industry but be successful. I chose welding because I know several of my guy friends had taken the class so I thought I would give it a try. It turns out that I fell in love with it and want to take it as far as my talent, passion, and opportunity will allow!” — Chrissy Heizer, 17, welding student and first winner of the Weld Wire Spark Award
In one way or another, I’ve been a coach my entire adult life. My early passion for playing sports put me in contact with coaches who helped make me the person I am today. They pushed me, challenged me, taught me, and most of all – they believed in me. That’s something I try to pay forward every day. In coaching my kids’ sports teams, I’ve seen firsthand what the right kind of encouragement can do for a young person. It can truly change everything.
At Weld Wire, we’re dedicated to finding and fueling those sparks in the welding field. That’s why we’ve started giving “Spark” Awards to young people just entering the industry who have the potential and dedication to make a great career in welding.
In November, we sponsored The 2014 Central Kentucky Welding Classic, a welding contest where some of the best student welders in the state compete for scholarships and other prizes. The contest, nearly a decade old, is hosted by Chris King, an instructor at the Hughes Jones Harrodsburg Area Technology Center and this year attracted students from 17 different schools. Weld Wire donated Duramax electrodes and MIG wire to the competitors, along with a prize of a $200 scholarship towards welding school costs.
Competition was fierce, but at the end of the day, we awarded Chrissy Lynne Heizer, a 17-year-old high school student from Harrodsburg, Kentucky, the Spark award. She placed 4th in the overall competition, but what really impressed me was her tenacity, her fearlessness as a young woman entering a male-dominated industry, and the words of her instructor and coach, Chris King: “Chrissy has come a long way and overcome some bad situations. She has great potential and a determination very rare in teens. I haven’t seen anyone like her in 15 years in the industry or 10 years of teaching.”
Chrissy is a remarkable young woman, and we are thrilled to be able to support and coach her as she pursues her dreams.
From me and the entire Weld Wire family: congratulations, Chrissy! We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve next!
