Northland Pioneer College’s welding graduates were recognized for their achievements on May 8, 2025, in a ceremony held at Taylor’s Rodeo Park. Guest speaker Jason Sangster from the Ironworkers Union Local 75, delivered the keynote address. Having grown up in Holbrook, Sangster is a prior graduate of NPC’s welding program and has enjoyed a lengthy and rewarding career in the industry. He highlighted the significance of the students’ achievements and the importance of continuing to perform and perfect their skills and stay certified in the field. This year’s welding graduates are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the industry, having earned certifications, degrees, and OSHA qualifications necessary to go directly to work in the field. NPC’s welding program is offered to area high school students, as well as adult learners at the college’s Holbrook, Show Low, and St. Johns locations. To the amusement of all, the ceremony concluded with the “string game,” a traditional competition at NPC that pits the students from each campus/center against each other. The trophy – a golden metal piece of art created 18 years ago by NPC Faculty in Welding, Randall Hoskins, went to the winning team from the Show Low, White Mountain Campus. To view a photo gallery of the ceremony, visit www.npc.edu/photos.
Congratulations to NPC’s Welding Class of 2025!
NPC Holbrook Completers
- Nehemiah Acothley, Winslow
- Alex Dayea, Winslow
- Rick Gravatt, Winslow
- Colton Hughes, Winslow
- David Williams, Snowflake
- Garrison Aho, Holbrook
- Anthony Browning, Holbrook
- Caleb Cummings, Holbrook
- Christan Lerma, Holbrook
- Chance Sahmie, Holbrook
- La Dainien Scott, Holbrook
- Aubree Takala, Holbrook
- Kaysen Miller, Joe City
NPC Show Low Completers
- Kaely Blake, Lakeside
- Jose Ruiz Bustillos, Lakeside
- Bray Crandell, Snowflake
- Adrian Enriquez, Show Low
- Bradly Garvin, Pinedale
- Brandon Gomez, Snowflake
- Kaiden Hancock, Taylor
- Bryson Kelton, Heber
- Sabyn Lee, Snowflake
- Tabitha Lubeski, Snowflake
- Anthony McKee, Snowflake
- David Ordonez, Snowflake
- Payden Packard, Linden
- Owen Rhoton, Snowflake
- Emanuel Rosales, Pinetop
- Karson Rosenthal, Pinetop
- Layne Schmitz, Pinetop
- Ariana Villalba, Show Low
- Nathan Weland, Lakeside
- Deagan Whitworth, Show Low
NPC St. Johns Completers
- Corbin Becker, Nutrioso
- Lucas McGinnis, Concho
- Elana Tullie, St. Johns
- Pacer Wiltbank, St. Johns
- Jackson Hansen, St. Johns
- Mark Cox, St. Johns
- Brennon Leslie, St. Johns
- Ethan Skousen, St. Johns
- Brandon Pena, Round Valley
- Kyle Clark, Round Valley
- Oscar Gutierrez, Round Valley
- Alan Rodiguez, Round Valley
- Jolie Bigelow, Round Valley
- Ryland Richard, Round Valley
- Riley Watkins, Round Valley
