Marietta students learning important skill
At the 2024 Love County Junior Livestock Show, the ag mechanics show will add another division, this one open to kids from 4-H age to high school freshmen.
Their fabricated project must fit into a two-foot cube and must include a horseshoe. That may seem like it covers a lot of ground, but what it doesn’t take into account is that welding isn’t a skill that many of the county’s younger set have yet mastered.
To give younger Marietta students a better shot at preparing for that show, FFA Advisor Josh Bazor is teaching welding to those who are willing and wanting to learn. This week, Bazor had 30 students in the shop, ranging in age from 9- and 10-year olds to high school freshmen.
Two weeks into their Tuesday and Wednesday after school classes, the group has covered important basics – like safety – and are well on their way to creating some young welders.
“We’re bringing in our 9- and 10-year-olds from Marietta’s 4-H club along with some older kids to help them with their projects,” said Bazor, “but also to try and develop some interest in joining FFA and ag mechanics.”
That Bazor – always thinking ahead.
“What we’ve seen is that the longer kids are showing, the better off they are,” Bazor explained. “Right now, most of our kids aren’t starting to compete, or even learn to weld, until they’re ninth or tenth graders, and that kind of puts us behind. So we thought if we could teach them younger and get them showing, that would benefit them and our program in the long run.”
Welding is obviously a skill that nobody’s born with, but it’s a handy one to develop, for sure. 4-Her Hank Daniel has been present for both classes and, to say he’s enthused doesn’t give it justice.
“I absolutely love welding and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about it,” Hank said. “If anyone is interested in welding, then they need to do it.”
And Hank’s mom, Bre’ Daniel, an OSU Extension Educator for Love County, is just as enthused as her son.
“This is an amazing opportunity to learn a life-long trade. I am so thankful Mr. Bazor is taking these younger kids and teaching them a new skill and creating an opportunity for a new passion,” she stated. For more information about the class, contact Bazor at jbazor@mariettaisd.org.