Welding students show off their artistry with a pressed metal impression of the civil rights leader 

By Eddie McCoven 

SAN DIEGO— The Welding program at San Diego Continuing Education’s (SDCE’s) Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) will participate in the 37th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade this Sunday at the Embarcadero.  The parade will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Welding students have created a float that showcases the skills and artistry they have gained from participating in various welding classes at ECC. Welding program students and staff, and others from SDCE, have participated in the MLK Jr. Parade for the past 12 years. This year’s float features a massive die-cut steel sign that reads “Let Freedom Ring”, and an impressive pressed metal impression of Martin Luther King Jr.’s likeness.

SDCE’s Welding Program is a free, short-term certificate program that helps students gain entry-level employment in the welding industry. The creation of the parade float entry for SDCE is an additional opportunity for hands-on learning in the classroom.

“We participate [in the parade] because it’s a way to show the diversity of our students and the diversity of the neighborhood we’re in,” said Kenny McDonald, Instructional Assistant for the Welding Program.

The float will also feature the Liberty Bell replica made by previous welding students that has become an iconic piece of the group’s participation almost every year.

Photo and video opportunities of students putting together the float this week are available by contacting Ranessa Ashton, Public Information Officer, at rashton@sdccd.edu or by calling (619) 388-4833. Opportunities also exist for the morning of the parade on Harbor Drive.