The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) bull riders, vendors and musical performers have moved on to a new town, but the rodeo continues to make an impact on two Lone Star College-Cypress Center future welders.
Seve Leal and John Williams are currently working to complete their Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at LSC-Cypress Center. Welding Professor Innocent Yapo said he is proud of both these students, their achievements in the program and knows they have a lot to offer the industry and the community.
“This scholarship has tremendously helped me and my family financially,” said Williams, who plans to graduate this summer and pursue a bachelor’s in business administration at Prairie View A&M University. “I am able to further my education and embark on this journey of becoming a welder and, eventually, an entrepreneur.”
In Yapo’s class, Williams said, beyond improving technique and proficiency in accomplishing welds, he received a prominent piece of advice - “A welder never gives up.”
“Throughout this journey, I have learned what it takes to be a successful welder and a better person and that it is acceptable to make mistakes as long as I have learned from them.”
In addition to being able to build and improve skills, Leal said the hands-on aspect of welding drew him to the field back in high school, where “doing physical work was a breath of fresh air from sitting at a desk for 7 class periods.”
After earning his LSC-Cypress Center degree later this year, he plans to head straight into a career working as a welder, and eventually as a welder inspector.
“The Houston rodeo scholarship has given me more confidence in the career path I’m taking and I’m appreciative, knowing that others support the path I’ve chosen,” Leal said. “The scholarship is also allowing me to achieve equipment goals quicker, such as buying a welding machine to practice welds at home.”
Leal and Williams are among the more than 800 recipients of HLSR scholarships annually awarded to Texas students, which included 16 additional Lone Star College students studying Electrical Technology, Industrial Diesel, Mechatronics, Process Technology and Veterinary Technology this year. LSC endowed scholarships are also available for the fall semester with an April 1 application deadline.
For information on the Welding Technology program offered at the LSC-Cypress Center, contact Director of Advanced Technology at Michael.L.Young@LoneStar.edu.
Go to LoneStar.edu/Registration to register for summer and fall classes or LoneStar.edu/openhouse for details on LSC’s April 12 open houses, which will also provide information on registration, admissions, campus life, college resources and more.