One young man from Arkansas State University-Heber Springs, a satellite campus of ASU-Beebe, was honored Wednesday for his dedication and talent that led him to place third in the American Welding Society National Weld-Off, surpassing the accomplishments of all previous contestants from the state of Arkansas.
Wednesday was declared Jacob Miller Day in Cleburne County by Judge Jerry Holmes, and Miller said he was shocked at the outpouring of support he has received through the training period, the competition and the time after he returned from the competition. Dignitaries gathered at ASU-Heber Springs on Wednesday to honor him for his work.
“I was definitely surprised by all of this today,” Miller said. “I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support they have given me through all of this. It’s been a great experience, and the support really makes a difference. So, thank you, everybody.”
Miller graduated from West Side High School in Greers Ferry last May, and he started his welding training while in high school. His mother was in a car accident his senior year of high school, so he took on the responsibility of paying the family bills and keeping up the house.
He started at ASU-Heber Springs in the fall and has made it through several levels of competition. In November, Miller competed against five other welders in the American Welding Society U.S. Invitational Weld Trials. He placed in the top three in that competition and went on to compete in the AWS National Weld-Off, where he placed third overall.
Holmes spoke for the community when he said that he was happy to support Miller and his competition welding endeavors.
“We’re very, very honored to support this young man in his endeavors,” Holmes said. “It’s quite an accomplishment, not just for Cleburne County but for the state of Arkansas. To have a young man from Greers Ferry here, especially with the life he’s had, to accomplish what he’s got today has just been amazing.”
Since Miller started at ASU-Heber Springs and found out he would be competing in national welding tournaments, people throughout Cleburne County have stepped up to help him financially so that he could focus on his training.
“I’m real proud of the support in the community for Jacob,” said Chris Boyett, vice chancellor for ASU-Heber Springs. “There are so many that have helped him through this process — all the way from teachers to people in the community, just giving money to help him. I just can’t express how proud we are for what he’s done. In this state, he’s a trailblazer. No one else has made it this far. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”
Thomas “Tag” Green, instructor of welding at ASU-Heber Springs, has been a constant supporter and trainer for Miller throughout this experience. Green said he is very proud of Miller’s accomplishments, and the competitions provided a place for both Miller and Green to learn from industry leaders around the world.
“Jacob has really broken new ground,” Green said. “I’ve learned so much from across the world in our craft. If I had to say one thing besides ‘awesome,’ it would be that dreams really do come true. Not only his, but mine did, too. Just keep dreaming.”
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.