Springtime brings warmer temperatures, green grass, the end of the school year, and graduation. Each year we congratulate all area graduates and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Occasionally, we have the honor to call some of these graduates by another name, teammate, meet; Dominic Leukam, Andrew Thull, Colton Allen, Eduardo Raya-Barrera, Wyatt Becker, and Devon Cervantes. These graduates are part of Felling’s Weld Production and Maintenance teams, working part-time with a swing shift schedule; this is their after-school job.

Colton Allen

Colton Allen is the son of John and Amy Allen and is a graduating senior at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School. Colton grew up in Long Prairie, but his family has called many places home, living in Washington, Australia, and Minnesota. Colton is part of Felling’s Maintenance team working the weekend shift. Colton chose Felling Trailers because he had heard it was a good place to work through family friends who work there. After graduation, Colton plans to attend NDSU in the fall for Crop and Weed Science. We asked Colton what he had learned while working here that he would use in the future, and he replied, “I have learned problem-solving skills; sometimes you have to dig into something to find what is not right.” Where does he see himself in 5-years? “I plan to graduate from college with a full-time job.”

“I have learned problem-solving skills; sometimes you have to dig into something to find what is not right.”

— Colton Allen

Wyatt Becker

Wyatt Becker is the son of Mike and Sarah Becker and is a graduating senior at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School. Wyatt likes to build and race autocross cars in his free time. Wyatt is part of Felling’s Maintenance team working the weekend shift. Wyatt decided to work at Felling Trailers because it offered flexible work hours and there was a lot of opportunity to learn new things. After graduation, Wyatt plans to go to school to study mechatronics. We asked Wyatt what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, “I learned how to be better at problem-solving and managing money.” Where does he see himself in 5 years? “I hope to be starting my career in mechatronics.”

“I learned how to be better at problem-solving and managing money.”

— Wyatt Becker

Devon Cervantes

Devon Cervantes is the son of Nancy and Robert Cervantes and is a graduating senior at Sauk Centre High School. “I’m the second oldest in a family of eight; I have three sisters and two brothers,” said Devon. Devon is a Welding Intern on Felling’s Weld Production team. “I chose Felling Trailers because it is one of the larger businesses in my community, and I’ve been welding since I was 12.” After graduation, Devon plans to join the Army and go to college to be an electrician. We asked Devon what he had learned while working here that he would use in the future, and he replied, “I have learned to work as a team, work fast, and work hard.” In five years, Devon plans to graduate from college, having completed his time in the Army and be working as an electrician.

“I chose Felling Trailers because it is one of the larger businesses in my community, and I’ve been welding since I was 12.”

— Devon Cervantes

Dominic Leukam

Dominic Leukam is the son of Pete and Missy Leukam and is a graduating senior at Melrose High School. Dominic enjoys hanging out with his friends in his free time and getting to work on their trucks and demolition derby cars. From a family of five, Dominic’s dad and older brother are truck drivers, his mom is a health care provider, and his sister is attending Alexandria Tech. Dominic is part of Felling’s Weld Production team as an Entry Level Welder. “I chose Felling Trailers because it is close to home, and I have a few friends that work here, too,” said Leukam. After graduation, Dominic plans to go straight to work. We asked Dominic what he had learned while working here that he would use in the future, and he replied, “I learned how to use and operate numerous machines and equipment safely.” When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “working as a traveling welder.”

“I chose Felling Trailers because it is close to home, and I have a few friends that work here, too.”

— Dominic Leukam

Eduardo Raya-Barrera

Eduardo Raya-Barrera is the son of Arely Barrera and Everardo Raya and is a graduating senior at Sauk Centre High School. Eduardo is a third-generation welder, with his father and grandfather being welders by trade. He is the oldest of three, with two sisters and one brother. Eduardo started out taking welding classes as part of the Careers in the Community class, where Felling Trailers partners with local schools to introduce students to welding. “It was an amazing opportunity as the classes not only counted as a credit for school, but I was being paid to do something I enjoyed, too,” said Eduardo. He is now a welder on the Weld Production team at Felling Trailers. After graduation, Eduardo plans to attend Alexandria Technical & Community College for their welding program. We asked Eduardo what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, and he replied, “Besides learning the technical aspects, like blueprint reading and doing better welds, I’ve also learned how to communicate better with others and developed a better sense of problem-solving.” When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “I hope to see myself pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering.”

“Besides learning the technical aspects, like blueprint reading and doing better welds, I’ve also learned how to communicate better with others and developed a better sense of problem-solving.”

— Eduardo Raya-Barrera

Andrew Thull

Andrew Thull is the son of Beth Blonigen and Pat Thull and is a graduating senior at Osakis High School. Andrew grew up in West Union and now lives in Melrose. He is a middle child with an older sister, a twin brother, and a younger half-sister. He enjoys spending his free time working on vintage vehicles and woodworking. Andrew is part of Felling Trailers’ Weld Production team as an Entry Level Welder. He chose Felling because it was close to home, and he enjoys welding. Plus, the hours for students are very flexible, so it is easy to work around his school schedule. After graduation, Andrew plans to attend Universal Technical Institute of Illinois (UTI) for their Wind Power program. We asked Andrew what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, and he replied, “I learned a lot of things in my time here: how to weld more consistently, read blueprints and weld symbols, how to manage people and improve my time management skills. I even learned how to run the Genesis, a robotic welder in Project Weld.” When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “I see myself traveling the nation working on windmills.”

“I learned a lot of things in my time here: how to weld more consistently, read blueprints and weld symbols, how to manage people and improve my time management skills. I even learned how to run the Genesis, a robotic welder in Project Weld.”

— Andrew Thull

To our 2024 graduates, we wish you the best; wherever your future takes you, may it be filled with greatness.

“All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

— Walt Disney

Dream Big Graduates! Congratulations!­­

If you are interested in a career at Felling Trailers, whether full-time or just part-time during nights and weekends, Felling has the right job for you. Learn more about Careers at Felling Trailers here. Interested in learning how to weld? Felling Trailers’ Career Development and Weld Training Center starts with a review of the basics of welding and builds from there.