“I've always enjoyed working with my hands and being creative. I feel proud of myself after completing a project,” said Anita Hawkins of Brandywine, a student at the Center for Trades and Energy Training. “From the first time I learned to strike an arc, welding carbon steel and aluminum through the processes of shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding—I was hooked. Now at 24 I've found a field that I love: welding.” Hawkins thanked the people behind the creation of the central campus so that a greater number of Southern Maryland residents can receive trades training close to home.