Lexicon Inc. and American Welding Society Award $1,000 Scholarship to Steel Day Welding Champion!
Lexicon Inc., in partnership with the American Welding Society (AWS), has awarded a $1,000 scholarship certificate to Dayden Norwood, a student from Cabot High School, in recognition of his outstanding performance at the Steel Day 2025 live welding competition. The award highlights Lexicon’s continued commitment to workforce development and the promotion of skilled trades among the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
The scholarship was presented following Norwood’s top-ranked performance during Steel Day 2025, a hands-on industry engagement event hosted by Lexicon last fall. The event was organised in collaboration with AWS and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and brought together students, educators, and industry professionals to showcase real-world welding and fabrication skills. Designed to expose students to the expectations and standards of modern industrial welding, Steel Day serves as both a competition and an educational platform aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and shop-floor requirements.
More than 150 students from six high schools and community colleges across Central Arkansas took part in Steel Day 2025. Of these, approximately 40 students qualified to compete in the live welding competition, where participants were evaluated under timed conditions meant to mirror actual production environments. Competitors were judged on multiple criteria, including weld quality, consistency, appearance, and overall technical execution. Norwood achieved the highest overall score among all competitors, demonstrating exceptional skill, precision, and composure under pressure.
The $1,000 scholarship certificate is intended to support Norwood’s continued education and training in welding or related technical fields. By linking competitive performance with tangible educational support, Lexicon and AWS aim to encourage students to pursue long-term careers in welding, fabrication, and industrial manufacturing—sectors that continue to face a shortage of skilled labor across North America.
Lexicon has positioned Steel Day as a cornerstone of its outreach and talent development strategy. By opening its facilities to students and educators, the company provides early exposure to large-scale steel fabrication operations, safety practices, and advanced welding processes. The collaboration with AWS and AISC further strengthens the program by aligning student experiences with nationally recognised standards and industry certification pathways.
For AWS, partnerships like this reinforce its mission to advance the science, technology, and application of welding while supporting education and career development. Recognising young talent through scholarships and competitions helps build awareness of welding as a high-skill, high-demand profession with strong long-term career prospects.
Norwood’s achievement also reflects the growing emphasis on technical education at the high school level, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing and construction activity. Programs that combine classroom instruction with competitive, hands-on experiences help students build confidence, discipline, and a clear understanding of industry expectations before entering the workforce or pursuing further training.
Through initiatives such as Steel Day and scholarship awards, Lexicon and AWS continue to invest in developing future welders and fabricators, supporting both individual career growth and the long-term strength of the steel and construction industries.
