Credit: EASTERN.
On January 28, 2025, five female students from the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology's (EASTERN) Welding Technology program, accompanied by their female Welding Technology Instructor and one female Collision Repair Technology student, presented to the Girls STEAM Group at Hatboro-Horsham's Keith Valley Middle School. They emphasized the importance of pursuing passions and breaking free from stereotypes to shape their futures.
Meghan Cicchino, EASTERN’s Welding Technology Instructor, began by sharing her journey into the welding field. Initially fueled by a love for art, her interest in welding sparked while working for a company with a welding department. The path was not always smooth, as she often found herself as the only woman in the workplace, facing challenges such as colleagues questioning her commitment to the field due to the possibility of starting a family. She emphasized that it is possible to balance both—a family and a successful career. She also encouraged students to develop diverse skills. “Welding is just one of many things I love,” said Mrs. Cicchino. “It doesn’t define me as a person.”
After Mrs. Cicchino’s introduction, the EASTERN students took turns introducing themselves, sharing why they chose their programs, and offering words of encouragement to the eighth-grade girls in attendance. “Having this network of other female students in male-dominated programs is so important,” said Grace Elliott, a junior in EASTERN’s Welding Technology program and a student at Abington Senior High School. Ava Bartlett, a senior in the Welding Technology program from Jenkintown High School, added, “It’s such a great feeling when male classmates who once doubted you start asking you for help in class.”
EASTERN extends its gratitude to the following class leaders for volunteering their time to inspire the next generation of skilled tradeswomen:
