The Northwest Area Schools Welding Technology program was recognized as Program of the Year by the S.D. Technical Education Association (SDTEA) during the group’s annual conference January 30-February 1 in Pierre. Instructor Todd Ludeman (left) was presented with a plaque by SDTEA president Christian Swenson. Ludeman has taught welding in NWAS member schools for 37 years, moving with his mobile classroom to a different school each semester.