From Sparks to Success: PACS Fab Five Complete Weld Scholars Journey
May 15, 2025
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From top to bottom: Keion Fields, Lanysia Williams, Niana Brentley, Derico Riley and Rondal Gilmore (Photos Courtesy of Industrial Arts Workshop)
For five students at Passport Academy Charter School, the past eight weeks have been nothing short of transformative. The members of the spring 2025 Weld Scholars Program, Lanysia Williams, Niana Brentley, Keion Fields, Rondal Gilmore and Derico Riley—affectionately known as the “Fab Five”—have spent Friday mornings trading textbooks for torches. Along the way, they discovered the power of welding as a tool for self-expression, community building and career exploration.
This initiative, originally a collaboration between PACS and the Industrial Arts Workshop (IAW), provides hands-on learning in welding and design for Pittsburgh students. The spring program wrapped on April 11 with a celebration of the students’ progress and the personal growth they forged along the way.
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Meet the Fab Five
Lanysia Williams
Lanysia brought charisma and creativity to the shop each week. Whether she was practicing welds or coming up with clever names for her sculptures (“Pretzel Flower” still remains iconic), Lanysia found joy in both the process and the product. For her, the program offered fun, friendship and forging a new path. “I had fun meeting new people from different schools and getting to know some of my peers better,” she adds.
Niana Brentley
A newcomer to welding, Niana dove in headfirst. She quickly discovered that success in the shop required patience and precision, skills she embraced with enthusiasm. Her dedication paid off as she developed not just her welding technique, but also confidence and camaraderie with her fellow welders.
Keion Fields
Keion joined the program seeking new skills and quickly found his stride. Stick welding and sculpture-building came naturally to him, fueling his excitement about the possibilities ahead. “I’m able to use the things I learned here in the real world,” he shared.
Rondal Gilmore
Rondal’s love for welding was instant and intense. He relished the creative freedom of designing and the tangible satisfaction of shaping metal with fire. “I can use welding as a way to make art and express my emotions,” he said. From crafting floral sculptures to mastering the basics, Rondal thrived in the shop’s hands-on environment.
Derico Riley
As the youngest of the group, Derico came in ready to learn. With a quiet confidence and mature focus, he approached each task with purpose. The sparks he lit in the workshop were just the beginning of a journey that promises continued growth and impact.
A Celebration of Grit and Growth
The program’s culminating celebration on April 11 marked not an ending, but a milestone in each student’s story. Family, friends and instructors gathered to recognize the Weld Scholars’ accomplishments, share their works and reflect on how the experience has ignited new interests and opened new doors.
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Derico Riley and Rondal Gilmore receive certificates of completion from Tim Kaulen, Executive Director, IAW (Photos Courtesy of Industrial Arts Workshop)
“Watching these students grow over the course of eight weeks—technically and personally—has been incredible,” said Tim Kaulen, executive director of Industrial Arts Workshop. “They’re leaving with more than just welding skills. They’re leaving with confidence, community and momentum.”
Lighting the Way Forward
At PACS, hands-on experiential learning like the Weld Scholars Program is a cornerstone of how students are empowered to shape their futures. Through opportunities like these, students develop practical skills while uncovering passions, cultivating purpose and discovering just how much they’re capable of in every area of their lives.
Though the sparks have settled for now, the Fab Five’s stories are just getting started. And at Passport Academy, the torch of possibility continues to burn brightly.
Read more about the spring 2025 Weld Scholars Program below.
