For the first time in the 47-year history of the international WorldSkills welding
competition, a woman will represent the United States.
And that distinction belongs to Washtenaw Community College student Mikala Sposito,
who won the USA Weld Trials at the Robotics Technology Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
Her victory earns her a place at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled for September in Shanghai, China.
The 21-year-old Dexter native expanded upon WCC's distinguished history of producing
top-tier welding talent. She is the sixth WCC student to qualify for WorldSkills,
building upon WCC’s distinction as the institution with more WorldSkills welding alumni
than any other school in the United States.
Three of the college's former WorldSkills qualifiers are now instructors in its Welding & Fabrication program — Alex Pazkowski (2013), Brad Clink (2011), and Glenn Kay (1997).
Often described as the Olympics of the skilled trades, WorldSkills brings together
elite young professionals from around the globe to compete in technical disciplines
ranging from manufacturing and construction to information technology and robotics.
Top spot in United States
Sposito earned her spot on the U.S. team after advancing through three demanding qualifying events that brought together the nation’s top young welders. Competitors completed complex welding tasks under strict technical standards and tight time limits and were evaluated on precision, safety, technical execution and craftsmanship.
The final standings were:
• 1st place – Mikala Sposito, Washtenaw Community College
• 2nd place – Benjamin Cornaby, Utah State University Eastern
• 3rd place – CJ Parks, West Side Greers Ferry welding program in Arkansas
As part of her achievement, Sposito received a $60,000 scholarship sponsored by the
American Welding Society (AWS) and Miller Electric. She was also recognized at an
AWS Ladies Night event, where the American Welding Society presented her with an additional
$5,000 gift in recognition of her accomplishment.
In preparation for the international competition, Sposito will participate in an intensive
seven-month training schedule that includes practice competitions and training events
in Australia; Canada; Huntsville, Alabama and China as she prepares for the global
event this fall.
"The entire Advanced Technologies and Public Service Careers Division is incredibly
proud of Mikala and all of the competitors who participated in this demanding process,"
said Pazkowski. "Representing the United States at WorldSkills is a remarkable accomplishment
and a testament to the dedication, training and passion that define today's skilled
trades professionals."
Building toward the world stage
WCC has a distinguished history of producing top-tier welding talent, with several
students advancing to the prestigious WorldSkills competition. Three of those past
competitors are now welding instructors at the college — Alex Paskowski (2013), Brad
Clink (2011) and Glenn Kay (1997).
Sposito has been building toward being the college's next national and international
competitor since high school.
While a senior at Dexter High School, Sposito won the SkillsUSA Michigan state championship
in the high school welding division before finishing 14th at the national competition.
She took welding courses through the South & West Washtenaw Consortium.
After enrolling at WCC, Sposito continued developing her skills under Pazkowski, himself
a national champion and a silver medalist at the 2013 WorldSkills in Leipzig, Germany.
In 2024, Sposito won the welding college division state-level competition to advance to the
SkillsUSA national competition.
Now, with her victory at the USA Weld Trials, Sposito will take the next step in her
journey when she represents the United States at the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai.
Tags: Awards, Student Success, Welding, Welding and Fabrication, WorldSkills