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National Craft Championship

Meet the 2015 Competitors:

      Waylin Brandon
^{Pipe Welding}

^{Hometown: Metairie, LA}
^{Sponsor: ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter & EXCEL}
^{Employee: River Construction}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
I like to make metal look good. It also fascinates me to see the strength of my weld.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I like that the work is hands-on and that what I do contributes to the strength of pipe, buildings and docks.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
Developing the skills that helped me win 1st place in NCC.

What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career?
The more you know, the more you get paid.

Armando Ceja
^{Pipe Welding}

^{Hometown: Terrytown, LA}
^{Sponsor: Performance Contractors}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
Because I like working with my hands and working outdoors.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
What I enjoy most is working in different places and meeting new people .

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
My favorite project is the PCCP in Metairie, La.

What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career?
My advice would be to work hard and not to give up.

Cecil Folse
^{Pipe Welding}

^{Hometown: Des Allemands, LA}
^{Sponsor: Performance Contractors}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
I chose welding because I took a course in high school and was interested in it.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I enjoy learning. There's always something new to learn which keeps it interesting.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
Going to NCC last year.

What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career?
I would say that if you put everything you have into a craft that you enjoy, the possibilities are endless.

Marlen Harris
^{Instrumentation Fitting}

^{Hometown: New Orleans, LA}
^{Sponsor: ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter}
^{Employer: Triad Electric & Controls}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
I like to work with my hands.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
There is always something to learn.

Joseph Matherne, III
^{Structural Welding}

^{Hometown: Harahan, LA}
^{Sponsor: ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter & EXCEL}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
I chose welding as a craft because I enjoy the challenge of trying to make the weld as strong and pretty as possible. I enjoy building things
and the satisfaction of a completed job well done. Welding is therapy to me and the pay isn't bad either.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I enjoy working with other people to come together on one common goal to do a good job. I really love when a good group of workers get on the same page and the job goes smoothly, safely and with as little problems as possible.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
One of my favorite memories is of the first job I ever worked on at a plant in Monsanto. This job game me confidence in being a good worker because it was supposed to be a two week job and I ended up working there for four years. Hard work pays off!

What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career?
Choose a craft that you enjoy and give it 100%. If you do, you can provide a good living for yourself while doing something you enjoy.

Chad Roque
^{Structural Welding}

^{Hometown: Metairie, LA}
^{Sponsor: EXCEL}

Why did you choose to go into your craft?
I chose this career because I enjoy welding and creating and building things. I get paid well to do something I love. It's an art!

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I enjoy the challenge of creating things and being a part of something bigger.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
One of my most memorable moments was working on a bridge. It was pretty high and very peaceful to look over the city.

What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career?
I would say to anyone who is interested to remember to relax and be comfortable in every position you weld in. Just do what you love.