Tarkio Technology Institute introduces welding showcase | News

(TARKIO, Mo.) At the Tarkio Technology Institute, welding is a respected practice, and both students and professors strive for improvement.

For first-year teacher Ashley Adams, helping her students grow meant offering them a creative showcase.

“It’s opened a lot of doors for me. I never thought I would be in this position, and now I’ve been given this opportunity here, and I absolutely love it. It’s very rewarding,” Adams said.

At the Dr. Jack Schmidt Welding Center at Tarkio Tech, welding students work day and night to master their trade and create pieces that are both artistic and functional.

Instructor Ashley Adams wanted to expand her students’ horizons by introducing a project that would allow them to unleash their creativity and showcase their work.

“They’re learning in this process, how to weld thin metal to thick metal, different types of materials, and various positions they could use in real-life applications,” Adams explained.

The hard work these students put into their projects impresses not only their teachers and parents but also other administrators at the institute.

Keifer Nemyer, a member of Tarkio Tech’s marketing and fundraising team, expressed his admiration for the welders.

“I think the showcase is exciting because it really highlights the skills our students develop. Most of these kids come in having never welded before, and now they’re creating incredible artwork that I could never do. It really showcases how well our professors teach,” Nemyer said.

This experience helps students grow while exploring the creative side of welding.

Adams shared that she is incredibly proud of their progress and excited to see where their welding skills will take them in the future.

“It’s very emotional. I love it. I’m so, so proud of these kids. We’ve watched them work hard every day to bring their visions to life. And when they see their finished pieces on display, they’re in shock at what they’ve accomplished,” Adams said.

Some of these students also take commissions for custom-made pieces.

For those interested in this process, go here for more details on how to support their work.