HHS welders are eager to forge their careers

The two thrive on challenges of going into business together

Dalton Comardelle and Manuel Medina have big plans.

As Hahnville High School graduates, the two have just completed the school’s welding program and plan to go into business together as welders. They are among the school’s trade career success stories.

Comardelle, 18, of Bayou Gauche, said welding is all he’s wanted to do for the last couple of years and being able to take the classes was a big opportunity for him. What he pleasantly discovered is the craft of welding comes naturally to him and it shows in his work.

“It’s crazy how it comes so natural,” he said. “I’m just good at it. I love it.”

Comardelle learned he loved pipe welding, although he’s open to expending his experience in the field.

“It’s like a challenge for me, too,” he said. “That’s what makes it even better. It helps me put my mind to it more.”Comardelle was hired by Performance Contractors in New Orleans before he graduated from HHS. He will start there as a helper starting at $24 an hour. But even with this success, he said he plans to attend college to study business so he can open his own welding shop.

He and fellow welding student Manuel Medina, 18, of Luling, plan to work together, too.

“I just basically took the class because I heard Mr. Scott was a great teacher,” Medina said. “And I grew to love it from Day 1.”

Both praised welding teacher Scott Villemarette for giving them direction in welding.

According to Comardelle, “I had a good teacher there in welding. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would like it. He brought us a long way. He was just trying to teach everything he could.”

Medina said Villemarette opened his eyes to different career possibilities that left him enthusiastic about welding.

“He was a great teacher,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better welding teacher. Words could not thank this man enough for showing me my future and all the possibilities I could do with my career.”

Medina also plans on going to school further his knowledge in types of welding, which he hopes to do at the South Central Louisiana Tech in Reserve.

If all goes well, he said he and Comardelle plant to do cross country pipe work. Medina praised him for helping him grow experience as a welder, saying “He is like a brother to me.”

But overall, Medina has found his passion and career.

“I just grew to love it,” he said of welding. “I’m addicted.”