PBSC Students Earn Citywide Recognition for Award-Winning Forged Freedom Sculpture

Palm Beach State College welding students have earned a new distinction for their America 250 project, Forged Freedom, after West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James proclaimed July 20 as Palm Beach State College America 250 Celebration Day. The honor recognizes the students’ craftsmanship, civic pride and the college’s commitment to career and technical education.

The proclamation celebrates 11 PBSC welding students who spent more than 350 hours transforming 325 pounds of steel into a 7-foot, 7-inch eagle sculpture with a six-foot wingspan. The piece, created for America’s 250th anniversary, was displayed at 4th on Flagler and earned the People’s Choice Award in the Florida College System category of the Florida Department of Education’s Statewide Welding & Fabrication Challenge.

At the city meeting, PBSC President Ava L. Parker, JD, Associate Dean of Workforce Trade & Industry Eligio Marquez Veray, EdD, instructors Todd Rowley and Chase Wagler, and the student welding team accepted the recognition. Marquez Veray said the honor reflects the real-world impact of its trade programs and the value of hands-on learning.

Marquez Veray thanked Mayor James for the recognition and for the opportunity to share ‘Forged Freedom’ with the community at 4th on Flagler, adding that the project deserved to be seen and celebrated. “These students showed up day after day, solved problems together, and turned an idea into something powerful,” he said.

He also praised the students, Whereas, the welding students — Gabriel Abadia, Elijah Dimanche, Jaeden Garcia, Timothy George, Kebert Gomez, Michael Misurelli, Connor Sabatello, Volodymyr Sologub, Dejanae Thomas, D'liyah Parker, and Janai Wellington for proudly representing Palm Beach State College and the state of Florida with excellence.

Mayor James said the students “have demonstrated the value of hands-on learning, civic pride, and excellence in career and technical education through their remarkable achievement and tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.”