Elliana Allen took first place in the 2025 Illinois Regional High School Welding Competition, the first female to win the competition in the history of the program sponsored by Midwest Technical Institute [MTI].
Elliana, a student at Coal City High School, competed for Grundy Area Vocational Center [GAVC] at the April 12 contest held on MTI’s East Peoria Campus. The competition is open to high school seniors and this year, 66 students from 24 school programs participated.
The victory earned Elliana a $5,000 scholarship and $1,000 for GAVC.
Elliana was one of two GAVC students to finish in the Top 10. GAVC welding is instructed by Roger Nelson and Tom Nelson.