OGDEN, UT – Students on Ogden-Weber Technical College’s (OTECH) SkillsUSA Welding Fabrication team helped the decorated trees glow a little bit brighter this year at Weber School Foundation’s Christmas Tree Jubilee by fabricating the event’s all 60 tree stands.
The project showcased the team’s craftsmanship and growing expertise in the trade, while also giving them an opportunity to contribute to their community:
- Practical application: Welding students translated classroom skills into real-world projects, measuring, cutting, and welding steel with precision.
- Teamwork: Team members collaborated to design and assemble bases without flaw, reinforcing both technical and problem-solving skills.
- Community impact: The team’s work directly supported the Jubilee, a local tradition that raises funds for classroom grants, student scholarships, and educational programs across Weber School District.
- Off-season practice: Last year, the team placed first at state for the first time in OTECH history. To keep the momentum going, team members practice skills and prepare for the next round of competition. Projects like this help them refine the skills that win the team medals at the SkillsUSA national competition in June.
Camren Waikart had the opportunity to work on the stands and appreciated the extra experience it gave his team to become more skilled and more collaborative.
“It was a good learning process to understand what’s the best and fastest way to do something. It taught us how to work together and how to streamline processes. When we started, we were doing one per hour and when we finished, we were doing five per hour,” Camren said.
The Christmas Tree Jubilee has long been a highlight of the holiday season in Weber County, drawing families, educators, and community members together to celebrate. The Weber School Foundation holds the annual event to raise money for the district’s students.
Organizations and schools in the community donate a perfectly decorated, on-theme Christmas tree. Then at a later gala, each tree is available for purchase via silent auction. Before going back to their new homes, the trees are on public display at the Eccles Conference Center for a short time before Thanksgiving.
Past funds have been donated to develop teen centers across Weber School District: safe places for students facing challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, and emotional well-being. This year, funds were donated to the Unified Sports program.
As sparks flew in the welding shop, OTECH’s SkillsUSA competitors weren’t just shaping steel—they were shaping the community and their careers.
“Hands-on experience like this help me become a better welder in my professional life, so I can go back to the shop and even help my coworkers become better welders,” Camren said.
At OTECH, students gain practical hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world welding careers. To learn about the Welding Technology program, speak with a student support specialist, or visit otech.edu/welder.