Hutchinson Community College honors Zion Hayes as a Distinguished Dragon
Award-winning welding student praised for leadership, craftsmanship and school spirit
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College welding student Zion Hayes has been recognized as a Distinguished Dragon, capping a collegiate career defined by consecutive state championships, top academic honors and service as the school’s mascot.
A Hutchinson native, Hayes excelled in the college's welding technology program, winning first place in the welding sculpture competition at the SkillsUSA Kansas State Championships in both 2025 and 2026. Those titles advanced him to the National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, an event Hayes called one of his favorite collegiate experiences.
His craftsmanship also benefited the local community — he spent the past two years helping build the welding program's award-winning Christmas parade float.
"Zion shows a willingness to learn, want to understand, and provide the best work he could," said Greg Siepert, the college’s welding technology program coordinator. Siepert praised his work ethic, describing Hayes as "the student you want to come through your program."
Beyond the welding shop, Hayes matched his technical skills with strong academic achievement, earning spots on the Vice President’s and President’s honor rolls. He supported his studies as a recipient of the Reno County Activity Scholarship and the Aneline Kiki Coppony Scholarship.
Hayes also devoted time outside the classroom to boosting campus morale, performing as Duke the Dragon, the official HutchCC mascot.
Reflecting on his time at the college, Hayes credited his instructors for paving the way for his accomplishments. He thanked Siepert for his “support, flexibility and exemplary leadership” of the welding department, noting the coordinator continually ensured the program "ran smoothly and gave my peers and I ample opportunities not just for success but to grow in our field and in our personal skills."
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