Under the bright lights of the Moody Center in Austin, the roar of an engine fills the arena, not from a professional Monster Jam truck, but from one built by high school students. As the one-third-scale truck rolled onto the floor before 15,000 cheering fans, Bryan High’s welding students stood proudly nearby, knowing months of long nights and hard work had finally paid off.
“My heart was definitely pounding the entire time,” senior Noah Heninger said. “But once it was over and everybody got to see all the hard work we put into it, it definitely felt rewarding, because everyone in the stands saw that we brought something to life from just scrap metal.”
Since August 2024, welding students have worked step by step to design and construct a functioning one-third-scale model of a monster truck. Over the course of nine months, they not only mastered advanced welding and fabrication techniques but also developed teamwork, discipline, and everyday problem-solving skills.
“It was a great experience being partnered with Northern Tool, Monster Jam, and the mentors they provided, as well as the community that backed us throughout the whole project,” welding instructor Christopher Lehde said. “It was just a really good feeling to see everyone step up and support us.”
Under Lehde’s guidance, and with the support of professional welders and Monster Jam mentors, the class learned what it means to turn technical skill into tangible results.
“It was just an amazing opportunity and I got to learn so much,” senior JD Quiroga said. “It helped to build a lot of character and helped me a lot in my welding skills as well throughout the process.”
Throughout the project, students received hands-on training from Monster Jam welders and Northern Tool engineers. Industry professionals visited the shop regularly to coach, critique, and celebrate each milestone of the extensive build.
“It’s just amazing to see how far the students have come in the last nine months,” Ryan Kotula, chairman of the board and co-owner of Northern Tool and Equipment, said. “These kids are learning so much, and I’m so proud of them.”
Alongside the enhancements of their technical skill sets, students were also able to develop key attributes, such as communication, leadership, and perseverance, that would be invaluable in the welding industry and workforce.
“I learned how to work through problems,” Heninger said. “My problem-solving skills got better, and I got better at not giving up when things got hard because that’s very important in the trade, especially as you get into the workforce.”
However, the journey was not easy. Students encountered multiple setbacks, including shipping delays, brake issues, and engine troubles, but overcame them through teamwork and persistence.
“When problems came up, like with the brakes, the mentors didn’t just give answers; the kids figured it out themselves,” Ryan Kotula said. “Through teamwork and guidance from Monster Jam mentors, the students solved the problems easily.”
Lehde views the problems the students have faced as a character-building experience, and appreciates the trust and communication that were built, both because of and despite the issues.
“My favorite part was seeing the kids troubleshoot problems together,” Lehde said. “Seeing them come together as a team, make friendships, and then seeing the smiles on their faces when it finally ran, was pretty cool.”
Welding requires some of the most meticulous work, especially when taking on a project as large as constructing a functional monster truck. However, the students faced the obstacles in construction head-on and hands-on.
“With welding, not everything’s always gonna be cupcakes, rainbows, and smooth sailing,” Heninger said. “It was never going to be easy, and that’s why not a lot of people do it, because it’s not easy.”
Each week, students balanced academics with hours in the shop, sometimes working from the start of the school day until 6 p.m. to bring the massive project to life.
“We realized there was a lot that needed to be done,” Quiroga said. “But with focus and a lot of effort, we got down to it.”
As the truck took shape, their confidence grew, not just as welders but as young professionals poised to enter the workforce.
“The biggest thing is patience with yourself and the learning process,” Quiroga said. “However you learn, there’s a way to figure it out. It’s just about how much time and dedication you’re willing to give to better yourself.”
By early June, every weld, wire, and bolt was in place. The truck was ready for its debut, and the students were ready to show what they had built. Their work first appeared at a Northern Tool store in Buda, Texas, on June 5, followed by a grand unveiling at the Monster Jam rally in Austin on June 7.
“The truck made its grand reveal in front of 15,000 people at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas,” co-owner and CEO of Northern Tool and Equipment Wade Kotula said. “Seeing the monster truck unveiled on June 7th was both inspirational and emotional.”
The sight of the gleaming monster truck rolling under the arena lights marked the end of months of trial and triumph. For the students, it wasn’t just a showcase; it was a moment of validation.
“Once everyone saw what we had created, it felt like a dream come true,” Heninger said. “It’s crazy to think that we turned raw metal into something that could actually drive in front of a crowd like that.”
While the project centered on welding, the experience gave students a firsthand look at what goes into large-scale collaboration, from media interviews to brand partnerships.
“Finishing this project is a huge confidence builder for the students,” Wade Kotula said. “The students adapted quickly not just to the work, but also to interviews, videos, and learning how social media drives a project like this.”
Students in the project employed the knowledge and technical tactics taught by BHS instructors and Monster Jam crew chief managers on the construction and welding of the monster truck, giving instructors hope that this project could lead to a career path for many of the teens.
“Watching them apply what they learned gave me hope for the future of the trades,” Matt Del Santor, Monster Jam Crew Chief for the Monster Mutt Truck, said. “I saw younger versions of myself, excited about fabricating, and it gives me real hope—maybe one day some of them will even work with me at Monster Jam.”
For Lehde, the project wasn’t just about finishing a truck; it was about shaping futures. His patience, skill, and mentorship helped guide students through technical and personal growth.
“Mr. Lehde is just a phenomenal teacher in every aspect of the world,” Quiroga said. “He’s always been there for us and always helped us, been patient with us, and has taught us right from wrong, and hopefully, his having the trophy with the monster truck with a class full of juniors and seniors will show that there’s a lot you can do and so many more opportunities and jobs that can come from welding.”
Students say Lehde’s most significant impact wasn’t in the techniques he taught, but in the belief he instilled in his welding students.
“I hope Mr Lehde is recognized as someone who knows he really knows what he’s talking about and that, at the end of the day, he wants what’s best for you,” Heninger said. “He wants to see you succeed because that’s why he became a teacher.”
Monster Jam mentors agreed, calling the project an unforgettable milestone for both students and staff.
“This was a huge step for their futures,” Del Santor said. “They saw something go from concept to build to a finished product at the Moody Center, and that will motivate them to stay in the trades.”
The story of Bryan High’s monster truck isn’t stopping in Austin. The vehicle is joining Monster Jam’s national tour, traveling to events and Northern Tool stores across the country to inspire the next generation of builders.
“The truck is going to tour with Monster Jam for the next year,” Ryan Kotula said. “At every event, it will be on display so other kids can see it and dream about what they could build too.”
For the students who spent nine months constructing, welding, and pushing through every setback, that legacy is what makes the experience unforgettable.
“It’s an insane thought to see that and to know that something that I worked so hard on for months is getting shown around the country,” Quiroga said. “It just brings a smile to my face every time I think about the fact that I could be touching the next generation.”
