Sparks were flying at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) this past Saturday as several high school seniors across the central Illinois region competed for a chance to demonstrate their welding skills and the opportunity to win an MTI scholarship. Twenty-one high school seniors received $500 scholarship awards, but the top prizes went to the winners of the competition: 1. First Place: Nathan Richards of Limestone Community High School; awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Limestone Community High School will also receive a $1,000 donation from MTI. 1. Second Place: Carson Kelly of Livingston Area Career Center; awarded a $2,500 scholarship. 2. Third Place: Drew Burns of Livingston Area Career Center; awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The MTI High School Welding Competition was held Saturday, April 17th, 2021 at MTI’s East Peoria, IL campus location. The annual competition resumed this year after being canceled last year due to COVID-19.