Marlborough – When Mikayla Bradford, a sophomore honors student, entered Assabet Valley Regional technical High School, she already knew that metal fabrication and welding would be her first choice of the technical programs. What she did not know, though, was that one year later, she would enter an essay contest sponsored by Victor Technologies in Utah and win first prize, a $250 check. The theme of this contest was “Innovation to Change and Shape the World of Welding” and students were to submit 500 word essays.
“I had more to say, but I had to take some out to be able to submit only 498 words,” laughed Bradford, a resident of Marlborough.
Bradford remembers spending time with her grandfather in his welding shop as she grew up, and knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“Both my grandfather and uncle are welders, and my Dad is a mechanic. I loved watching them make things stronger and better, and I also knew I wanted to attend Assabet Valley so that I could get my diploma but also have a skilled trade to fall back on if college didn's work out.”
When the time comes for college, Bradford would actually like to go to school to be a paramedic, or perhaps enter the Navy.
“I have some CPR and first aid training already, and I think if I can save just one life, then the whole world's been changed.”
