Two students from Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES placed at the Paul Swatland Memorial Welding Competition held March 29 at SUNY Niagara.
The annual “Weld-Off” event is open to high school students and includes separate competitions for juniors and seniors as well as welding demonstrations, a guest speaker, lunch, and networking. It is organized by the American Welding Society – Niagara Frontier Section.
Fabian Burgos, a junior in the Welding/Metal Fabrication program at the LoGuidice Educational Center, took first place at the event. Placing third from the Ormsby Educational Center was Leo Deputat.
In all, seven E2CCB students from both Career & Technical Education centers participated at SUNY Niagara.
Burgos, of the Dunkirk City School District, said he was nervous taking part in his first competition. However, he said his main goal was to have fun.
“When I got there, I was sort of overwhelmed,” he said. “I knew that it was important to be prepared and to follow directions, but I also just wanted to enjoy it. I really didn’t think that I was going to win.”
Also representing the Welding program at LoGuidice were Miguel Bautista of Brocton, and Nethaniel Parker and Kaylee Keating of Silver Creek. Instructor Kevin Valentine led the group.
“For me, welding is just like art,” Burgos said. “It’s not really a science. It’s more like art because of how the welds look when you’re done.”
From Ormsby, Deputat was joined at the competition by Cristofer Polizzi of Springville and Kristopher Donnelly of Iroquois. Instructor Charles Harding led the three students.
Harding said he was proud of his students and their efforts.
The daylong competition honors the memory of Swatland, who, in addition to working as a steamfitter and salesman, was a certified welding inspector and ran a welding school. He passed away in January 2025.
“Throughout his career, Paul inspired hundreds to be better welders, leaders, and people,” the American Welding Society said.
