WELDING BONDS

Mark Sigmon is a man of many hobbies. Welding is just one of them.

The CVCC instructor is an active community volunteer, mentoring students through Boy Scouts, 4-H programs, and Future Farmers of America. With an impressive 6 years of experience, Sigmon got involved with Boy Scouts and 4-H when his oldest son, Marcus, showed special interest for both organizations. Now, Sigmon is eager to share his passion for these clubs with anyone, even connecting his welding students to the programs.

The result? One CVCC family.

A handful of Welding students are also part of the 4-H club, where they have learned anything from archery techniques, to sports shooting, to important life skills. “They have a good time when we go to these competitions,” Sigmon says. “They learn character at 4-H and cheer each other on. It’s not about separating based on age or gender. Anybody can come.”

“I’ve learned a lot teaching at CVCC and during my four years at Bandy’s High School,” Sigmon remarks. As a result of his background, he feels prepared to teach life lessons in addition to trade expertise.

His influence on high school and college students is apparent. Dallas, a young man enrolled in CVCC’s Welding course at Bunker Hill High School, started his educational journey while participating in Sigmon’s Boy Scouts group. Dallas saw the opportunity to earn a Welding Merit Badge for Scouts, so he took the course at Bunker Hill, and his passion for the trade was born. Once he graduates high school, Dallas plans to attend CVCC and earn his Associate’s Degree in Welding. After college, he wants to enter the workforce directly or pursue a career as a welding instructor. “It’s an important degree,” he says. “You learn to work on your own, so you don’t have to rely on others,” which leads to self-sufficiency.

Dallas is involved with his Welding cohort beyond campus, however; He is strong friends with many classmates, and together, they joined Sigmon’s 4-H Shooting Sports program. “It’s been great having classmates with me because we’ve bonded so much between both,” he says. “My involvement makes classes and 4-H more interesting.” good money in Welding and trades,” Sigmon says. His commitment to produce this engaging, hands-on experience for students led him to Raleigh, where he received the the Honorary State FFA Degree. He is the only CVCC instructor to receive this degree. While Sigmon will humbly explain that the award is “this is just a credential for appreciation,” Catawba Valley Community College is proud of his hard work.

And Sigmon’s leadership does not stop there. For the past 6 years, Sigmon has organized and hosted the Northwest Regional Future Farmers of America (FFA) Competition, where students from various regional high schools compete in Agriculture Mechanics. He facilitates and prepares the competition, selects the individuals who serve as judges, and oversees the production of trophies, which are crafted on-campus by faculty members of CVCC’s Welding program in the Workforce Solutions Complex.

Competitions consist of Welding and Electrical Systems categories. Competitors do not participate alone. Each school sends teams of three to five students who work alongside each other to accomplish tasks while also building communication and problemsolving skills. After showcasing their skills and completing two written examinations, judges announce top competitors and give winners trophies which are fabricated by CVCC instructors.

“We need people in these trades to fill positions and this lets them know there is signs of caregiver strain will allow them to implement best methods to alleviate potential issues and offer life-changing support. physically, but of course, are not able to be there 24/7.”

The filmmaker, who is herself a doctor and expert in palliative care, also wrote an educational study guide that deepens students’ understanding of the subject. At the end of the event, students completed a post-questionnaire to show how their perspectives and knowledge are enhanced.

Mary Mitchell, Family Caregiver Specialist at WPCOG, shared that there are over 1.3 million unpaid caregivers in North Carolina alone. This goes to show how relevant caregiver strain is within our communities and among the people we know and love.

“Of course, in the medical arena,” Mitchell says, “the focus is on the loved one, the patient, as it should be...but then the caregiver becomes invisible. wanted to open this door remind medical students that odds are, with that patient, there’s a caregiver in the background.”