'I Love It': Welding Student Pursues Passion For Pageantry

A young woman from Arkansas moved to Tulsa to become a professional welder.

But when Rebekah Mason is not in class, she’s following another passion. 

“I love it,” Mason said.

At nineteen years old, Mason is a couple of months away from becoming a professional welder.

She got into welding when she was just a freshman in high school.

“I was out in the shop every day for two hours out of the day at school,” Mason said.

When she's not in class at Tulsa Welding School, Mason is representing her home state of Arkansas in Pageants.

Replacing her welding hood with a crown. Mason earned the title of Arkansas Miss United States Agriculture People's Choice last month.

“For doing my first state pageant, I am not disappointed in the outcome, like I wasn't expecting to win anything,” Mason said.

She uses her platform to advocate for other women to join trades like welding, and to inspire others to find their own spark.

“Don't be afraid to go for it,” Mason said. “I was very hesitant about joining, which I was still thinking about what I wanted to do by December of my Senior year. I jumped into it and I don't regret it at all. So if you are thinking about it, go for it. You won't regret it at all.”

Mason will finish the welding program in February.