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When Bowie High School junior Destinee Carey first walked into Devin Gerrity’s woodshop and welding class a few months ago, she didn’t know if welding would be for her.

She quickly found out.

Gerrity’s classroom is always full of sparks. Some come from the witty banter students enjoy with their instructor and even more come flying from their welds. Carey soon found her own spark and has since emerged as one of Gerrity’s fastest-learning students.

Carey’s unexpected interest in welding has evolved into much more than a classroom activity. It’s become a safe space for her to escape the outside world where she can rely on a structured routine to achieve her best welds.

“This year has been one of my most impactful years, and the consistency of being able to come in here and weld has been very comforting,” Carey said. “Every day at 7:50 a.m. we come in and weld for 45 minutes, and you always know what you’re going to get. It’s a strange kind of calm.”

Gerrity is proud of the growing number of female students taking welding and impressed by emerging welders like Carey.

“I would love to see more women in welding because, why not?” Carey said. “It never hurts to try something new, and it’s a lot of fun, so why not? You can’t leave it all to the boys!”

Carey and other students credit Gerrity with creating a unique and supportive space through personalized handshakes, encouraging comments, and an overarching positive environment.

“I teach kids something that seems wildly unreachable,” Gerrity said. “Then they do it and see improvement day to day. There’s positivity, they’re coached, and they look good, feel good, and succeed in this classroom.”

That’s exactly how it’s gone for Carey.

“Seeing Mr. Gerrity helped me realize that you always have the power to have a good day,” Carey said. “I’m thankful to him for helping me unlock a new interest. I feel like you can make anything for you and that’s what I’ve done here. Welding is for ����.”

Learn more about ����Vlog’s manufacturing program.