Dylan Smith, a senior at Riverside High School in Greer, recently took home first place at the 2026 Tulsa Welding School National Welding Competition.
Hundreds of students across the Southeast competed at the skilled trade school in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 11. Competitors rotated through technical welding stations and were judged based on their precision, craftsmanship and real-world welding skills.
“It was an incredible day showcasing the best and brightest young people competing in welding,” says Lisa Nucci, campus president at TWS Jacksonville. “We are proud of all who completed, the ones who placed and especially our top two winners who earned scholarships to attend TWS Jacksonville.”
For his win, Smith received welding equipment and a $23,000 scholarship to attend any program at TWS Jacksonville, including welding, HVAC or electrical. Smith is part of the welding program at the J. Harrley Bonds Career Center in Greer.
According to Greenville County Schools, seven students from J. Harley Bonds Career Center competed in the 2026 event. Along with Smith, four other students finished in the Top 20 at the competition:
- Michael Powell, Blue Ridge High School, third place
- Evan Keller, Eastside High School, 13th place
- Dominick Salamone, Riverside High School, 14th place
- Christopher Zamora Fuentes, Greenville High School, 17th place
