by Ben Overby
The Paducah Sun
February 27, 2026
Used with permission.
Jermonie Mounday, a senior at Paducah Tilghman High School, found a passion for welding while exploring trade options at the Paducah Area Technology Center, an interest he hopes to carry into a career in the profession.
Mounday is this week’s Associated General Contractors of Western Kentucky’s Technical Centers Student of the Week.
“I became interested in welding because I’ve always enjoyed hands-on work, and watching the entire process was genuinely fascinating to me,” Mounday said. “Seeing the sparks, the heat and how metal can be shaped and joined immediately grabbed my attention. It wasn’t just someone working; it felt like witnessing something being created from nothing. Once I tried it myself, I realized I liked the challenge and the concentration it requires, and that made me want to learn the trade even more.”
He said the great number of techniques and different applications of welding made the trade stand out to him among the others he was introduced to.
“I went through my school system, where we started with a nine-week class where we rotated through different trades, and I decided the next year I was going to do welding,” Mounday said. “I was lucky enough to get into the welding class — and I’m glad I did — because I got an amazing welding instructor.”
That instructor is Mounday’s nominating teacher, John Garland. Mounday said Garland has been a major help to him both in and out of the classroom.
“He’s a great teacher,” Mounday said. “He has helped me through a lot of things in my life, school-wise and work-wise as well. He’s actually helped me get a job at Ingram Barge.”
Mounday began working at Ingram Barge Company as a summer intern, and has continued with them as a co-op job through the welding program. He said he would gladly work there beyond his co-op.
“Since I’m an intern, they usually put me wherever they want,” Mounday said. “I do welding if it’s something within my ability. I enjoy the job. I enjoy working there too.”
Mounday said he’s drawn to welding because of the great number of different techniques and uses for the trade. He said beyond technique, the biggest skill he’s learned in the courses is better communication skills.
“I’ve learned to communicate better with my surrounding peers,” Mounday said. “I’ve learned to do team thinking and how to talk to others and get out of my personal space.”
He has earned his OSHA 10 certification and is working towards 3G and 4G welding certifications. He recently placed first in a Regional SkillsUSA Welding Tool Identification competition.
After graduation, Mounday hopes to immediately enter the workforce as a welder, preferably at Ingram Barge Company. Long-term, he hopes to join a welder’s union and travel the world.
He said it’s important that young people continue to enter the trades.
“The workforce needs a lot of young people with new bright ideas,” he said. “Young people can have amazing ideas, and something could change the world.”