Students Compete for Scholarships at Annual SteelDays

Forty-four students showcased welding skills to earn a share of $45,000 in scholarship awards.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a welding torch producing an electric arc, representing skilled vocational trade competition. — Students in Cheyenne competed for $45,000 in scholarships at the 9th annual SteelDays event to encourage careers in skilled welding trades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The 9th annual SteelDays event recently concluded at Puma Steel in Cheyenne, where 44 students competed for a total of $45,000 in scholarships. Three top performers each secured a $6,500 prize and a gas-fired welding machine.

Why it matters

The event aims to introduce students to professional welding careers and help address the national shortage of skilled tradesmen.

Finalists competed for individual scholarships ranging from $750 to $6,500. The top three winners, Traven Fritz, Ernest Gushurst, and Isabella Seymour, each received the maximum award of $6,500.

The players

AISC Education Foundation

This organization sponsors educational events and initiatives designed to support the structural steel industry.

Puma Steel

The Cheyenne-based steel company hosted the final round of the competition and facility demonstrations.

Traven Fritz

One of the three students who earned the top scholarship prize of $6,500.

Ernest Gushurst

One of the three students who earned the top scholarship prize of $6,500.

Isabella Seymour

One of the three students who earned the top scholarship prize of $6,500.

The details

Participants rotated through four stations including a written safety test and a practical welding competition judged by certified inspectors. The event also featured facility tours and technology demonstrations to highlight industry standards.

October 22, 2026: SteelDays began at Laramie County Community College.
October 23, 2026: The final competition concluded at Puma Steel.
2019: Hunter Reinking won the competition as a junior.

Culture Shift

This competition follows a pattern set by the national shortage of tradesmen, reflecting a wider effort to revitalize interest in industrial vocations. It highlights how private industry partnerships are increasingly essential to closing the vocational skills gap.

Students pursuing trade careers can utilize these competitions to secure funding and establish early connections with regional employers. Participation requires preparation in safety standards and technical skills relevant to current market demands.

The takeaway

Students interested in vocational paths should look for regional competitions that combine financial incentives with professional networking opportunities. Gaining early industry exposure through hands-on events remains a reliable way to differentiate oneself in the job market.