The welding instructor at the Delaware Area Career Center will be given an award this summer after he was nominated for helping a student with her cosmetology project.

Sara Reed, a senior studying cosmetology at the DACC, said she was browsing the SkillsUSA website for something when she saw some information about the upcoming “Outstanding Career Tech Educator Award” and immediately thought of Bradley DeMent, instructor of the welding and sheet metal fabrication course at the DACC’s North Campus and the SkillsUSA adviser.

“I looked at the criteria and it fit him perfectly, but then I looked at the due date and it was that day so I hurried to get it together,” Reed said. She explained that when the previous SkillsUSA adviser retired, DeMent took over the responsibilities of the job, on top of teaching the welding course. “He took over a lot of work. I know, because we are a lot of work and he’s just one guy.”

Specifically, Reed said she nominated him for all the help he gave her on her cosmetology project that went on to win first place in a SkillsUSA regional contest. Reed said she needed to create a promotional board for the project and DeMent helped her use a laser to engrave the board.

DeMent said he was completely surprised by the nomination.

“I didn’t know anything about it, I didn’t even know the award existed,” DeMent said. “I don’t feel like I deserve this. I’ve only been doing this for three years. I’m very honored that a student like Sara recognizes what goes on behind the scenes.”

DeMent said he was pleased he could help Sarah and other SkillsUSA students and said that, for him, that’s why he took the job.

“I took [the adviser] position because I like seeing students succeed and do well. Getting an award like this is a cherry on top,” DeMent said. “It’s not about me. I have a lot of other instructors who help. I might be the adviser but it’s a group effort. It’s really a combined effort. There’s a lot of collaboration in this school to help students.”

DeMent said the award will be given out at a ceremony in June but he will be unable to attend because he’ll be on his honeymoon.

DeMent has been the welding instructor at DACC since 2011.

Sara Reed and DeMent pose for a photo in the cosmetology lab on April 8. Despite being on opposite sides of the North Campus and in different departments, DeMent and Reed collaborated on a project that went on to win first place at a regional SkillsUSA contest.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/04/web1_DSC_0669.jpgSara Reed and DeMent pose for a photo in the cosmetology lab on April 8. Despite being on opposite sides of the North Campus and in different departments, DeMent and Reed collaborated on a project that went on to win first place at a regional SkillsUSA contest.