OCTEC students take top spots at welding competition
Photo courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Zachery Freas of Lyndonville, left, and Renzo Tomasi of Albion, right, are congratulated by welding teacher Verenice Bragg.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Two Orleans Career and Technical Education Center welding students brought how two of the top three medals from the 2026 AWS (American Welding Society) Weld Off competition.
Their teacher, Verenice Bragg, was proud to announce that seniors Zachery Freas (Lyndonville) took first place and Renzo Tomasi (Albion) placed third. Renzo also received a $1,000 scholarship that he will use when he attends Alfred University this fall.
The competition was held on March 28 at the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo. It is free to all participants and each BOCES and/or technology school is allowed to send two seniors and two juniors. First place winners receive $150, second place $100 and third place is a $50 prize. They also receive a prize pack from the American Welding Society.
Zachery’s first place win gives him the opportunity to attend the Thruway Cup in Syracuse in May.
