Welding His Way Forward: Larry Vargas Takes the Next Step
Larry Vargas is a man on the move as he transitions from student to professional welder. He and his family are looking forward to a brighter future. In the photographs above Larry poses with his parents, Jose and Luanie, his wife Amarra, and his siblings, Jose and Gabriela. He also stands with his SkillsUSA welding team.
Larry Vargas is stepping into a new season of his life. His journey has been steady and full of purpose. At 23, he carries the pride of being the first in his family to earn a college degree after graduating from °®¶ą´«Ă˝ Community and Technical College in May 2026 with an associate in applied science degree focused on welding.
This fall, he begins his multi‑year apprenticeship with the UA Local 760 pipefitters union. The program will take him to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where he’ll train, learn, and grow into the role he’s been working toward. Larry has a clear goal in mind. He wants to become a Journeyman Pipefitter, and he’s ready for the challenge that comes with it.
His confidence didn’t appear overnight. It was shaped by long hours in the welding lab and by instructors who believed in him. Larry often talks about the influence of Mr. Kory Rafferty and Mr. Jeremy Malone. Their guidance helped him understand the possibilities in the welding field. Mr. Malone’s background as a travel welder in the oil and gas industry opened Larry’s eyes to the kind of work he hopes to pursue one day.
“I believe in myself and I know that I can achieve and learn everything that I need to.” He said.
Family plays a central role in Larry’s story. His father, Jose, works as a contractor, and his mother, Luanie, keeps the home running while raising his younger siblings Jose and Gabriela. Larry hopes his path encourages his brother and sister to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of them. He wants them to see that hard work can open doors.
For now, he’s spending the summer helping his dad with the family business. The work is practical, but it also gives him something meaningful. He gets time with his father before his apprenticeship begins, and life becomes busier.
Soon, Larry and his wife, Amarra, will pack up and head to Muscle Shoals, and then who knows where they will go. He’ll take with him the lessons he learned at °®¶ą´«Ă˝, the support of his family, and the belief that he can build the future he wants. His story is already shaping the expectations in his home, and he’s just getting started.