submitted by Diana Marquez, Lake Technical College
Lake Technical College is proud to announce it has been awarded First Place in the Technical Excellence category among Florida’s technical colleges in the Florida Department of Education’s Statewide Welding & Fabrication Challenge, a statewide competition commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary.
The award-winning sculpture, titled Wings on Overwatch, was designed and fabricated through a collaborative effort between students and instructors from Lake Technical College’s Welding Technology and Advanced Manufacturing programs. The piece will serve as a permanent installation on the Lake Tech campus, honoring the nation’s founding and the skilled trades that continue to build America’s future.
The Statewide Welding & Fabrication Challenge invited students from Florida’s public secondary and postsecondary institutions to design and create original metalwork inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States. Projects were evaluated on craftsmanship, creativity, technical skill, and overall execution.
“Earning First Place in Technical Excellence is an incredible honor for Lake Technical College because it reflects exactly who we are and what we do,” said Melissa Stephan, Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction at Lake Technical College. “Every day, our students learn by creating, building, solving problems, and developing skills that directly translate to the workforce. This award recognizes their talent, dedication, and craftsmanship.”
The sculpture features a soaring eagle standing watch over a globe, symbolizing freedom, strength, vigilance, and the enduring spirit of the United States. The title, Wings on Overwatch, reflects the eagle’s role as a guardian and honors the generations of Americans who have protected and advanced the ideals established in 1776.
“When I look at Wings on Overwatch, I don’t just see a sculpture—I see hundreds of hours of learning, teamwork, creativity, and craftsmanship,” said, DeAnna Thomas, President Lake Technical College. “This project perfectly showcases what career and technical education is all about: giving students the opportunity to create something meaningful while developing skills that will serve them throughout their careers.”
The project was a true interdisciplinary effort, bringing together welding, fabrication, machining, design, and manufacturing skills. Students participated in every phase of development, from concept refinement and material preparation to fabrication, assembly, welding, and finishing.
The Florida Department of Education announced the winners on June 23, recognizing institutions across the state for outstanding student craftsmanship and creativity. Lake Technical College was named the Technical Excellence winner among Florida’s technical colleges, joining Martin County High School and Indian River State College as winners in their respective categories.
The recognition highlights the quality of workforce education programs offered at Lake Technical College and reinforces the institution’s commitment to preparing students for success in high-demand careers through hands-on, industry-driven training.
Lake Technical College is a public, post-secondary institution that offers high quality training for over 30 career and technical programs, as well as, adult education classes for GED and ESOL. The main campus is located at 2001 Kurt St., Eustis. The Institute of Public Safety is located at 1565 Lane Park Cutoff, Tavares. Visit the website www.laketech.org, or call (352) 589-2250 for more information.
