news & notes
Neshoba Students Explore Potential Welding Careers Reid Hall takes a lot of pride in his projects in the welding and cutting technology program at Neshoba Central High School (NCHS). One look at any of the senior’s fire pits in the school shop would demonstrate his expertise. Hall is one of eight students enrolled in the welding and cutting technology program’s Construction Core night class taught by Derek Huffman. Four others are enrolled in a Welding Level I night class taught by Joey Irby in the career and technical center. Hall and a few others plan to continue in the program at East Central 36
Summer 2022
Community College (ECCC) after graduation. Upon successful completion, they will earn national recognition certification credentials. “This is another outstanding opportunity for our students to add more credentials before they leave NCHS,” said Neshoba County Superintendent of Education Lundy Brantley. “The more credentials a student has, the better chance they have of competing at a high level, whether they enroll in college, enlist in the military or seek employment.” Hall, who will also play baseball
at ECCC, is a third-year student in NCHS’s Agriculture and Natural Resources class in addition to being enrolled in the night class. “He learned to weld as part of our program,” Huffman said. The fire pits, which sell for $350, feature various designs, from Ole Miss and Mississippi State logos to Rockets and family last names. Huffman’s students are currently making a fire pit for a deer camp with a hunting theme. “We can do any design,” he said. Hall hopes to earn a certificate in welding from ECCC.
