Welding Class Honors Tradition, Builds Futures for Students in McFarland

Sparks are flying – literally – inside the campus workshop at McFarland High School, where a group of advanced welding students is shaping metalworks and forging lasting legacies. The advanced class, led by instructor David Quevedo, recently crafted a custom metal sign for Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu. The handcrafted piece, which Mendiburu calls magnificent, is inspired by the logo of his father’s sheep business. It now hangs proudly in his office.

“These students have a bright future ahead as they make a name for themselves and create their own brand and identity,” Mendiburu said. “I am nothing but honored and proud that they made this for me.”

However, the class’s most meaningful project wasn’t created for a county official; it was a labor of love for someone much closer to home: McFarland campus supervisor and security officer Steve Garza. Before his passing, Garza commissioned the welding class to design and fabricate a custom metal gate for his home.

“The project came about because Steve wanted the students to feel good about themselves,” Quevedo said. “He said: I’ll get the materials, but I want your boys to do it and take your time with it.”

After 18 years on campus, Garza’s impact at McFarland High was massive. He was described as a fixture in the morning drop-off zone and a beloved presence riding in his golf cart. Quevedo recalls that Garza was more than just a staff member; he was a friend and a mentor who cared for the students.

“When I came in four years ago, Steve was one of the first people that I talked to in the district,” Quevedo said. “He was one of the first employees that welcomed me. We had some great times.”

The gate, installed at Garza’s former home — now owned by his daughter and son-in-law — is a tribute to his life and legacy. Advanced student Isaac Ramirez took the lead on the gate’s design. First, they made a blueprint of what they wanted it to look like and how they wanted it to work. Then, they allocated the materials and began the fabrication process. Ramirez remained dedicated, even working during his lunch.  He explained that, like any project, it came with a few setbacks.

“It did fall, and then it broke one of the panels, but I did have a lot of help with that,” Ramirez said. “To see it from when I started it to now, it’s pretty cool.”

For Angel Villegas, a third-year welding student, the program has been transformative. Villegas says he is not only gaining valuable skills and practical hands-on knowledge but also learning how to network, secure his future, and make himself more employable.  

“It’s not just about welding,” Villegas explained. “It’s about being able to talk to others, have the right conversations, have that professionalism, and work with others to be able to get jobs when I’m out of high school.”

Both boys agree that welding has brought them a passion that they never thought they would get in a classroom. From crafting a model semi-truck and trailer to desks and worktops for family members to a barbecue grill commissioned and bought by a staff member, the students eat, drink, and breathe welding.

“I don’t even think about school anymore, I just think about welding class,” Ramirez joked. “The program has definitely been amazing for me.”

The Advanced Welding Program at McFarland High has grown under Quevedo’s leadership — from non-existent just a few years ago to a thriving program with over 100 students across beginning, intermediate, advanced, and dual enrollment college-level classes. Quevedo sums up his teaching philosophy simply: Teach somebody to be somebody.

“I take these kids, and I put them in the shop. At first, they’re a little intimidated by it, but after a while, you see the confidence, and that’s what it’s about,” Quevedo said. “I tell the students: you can never stop learning here; there’s always something to do.”

Villegas says the best part of these projects is working with his team and sharing the joy of welding with his fellow students. This class has given him a passion for building something out of nothing, plus the confidence to learn and grow.

“I look at other pieces and metal artwork, and I think: I could do that,” he said. “That’s a great feeling.”