Madison Lauer, right, poses with her mom, Amber Lauer, middle, and CJ McCartney, left, for the Belpre High School prom in April. (Photo provided by Madison Lauer)

BELPRE – Madison Lauer is a full-time welding student at the Washington County Career Center juggling multiple organizations and four sports.

Lauer, 17, was born and raised in Belpre and attended Belpre City Schools before she enrolled at the Career Center last fall.

“I had toured the Career Center for the second time, and that’s when we actually got to do some hands-on stuff, and I’m a very hands-on learner,” she said.

With the end of the school year just around the corner, Lauer’s junior year is coming to a close. She said she’s been taking academic courses and program classes for welding and she really enjoys it.

“We’ve learned different types of positioning of welding so you can do over the head or different positions like that,” she said. “There’s also a thing called a plasma cutter, and it’s a program on the computer we design.”

During Belpre High School basketball media day last year, Madison Lauer, left, and Addy Stewart, right, pose for a photo with the position inspired by Star Wars. (Photo provided by Madison Lauer)

Lauer said she has learned a lot in her welding program like how to navigate a computer and how to use a technical system in the workforce.

“I am a perfectionist,” she said. “There’s a lot you can do with welding, more than you think.”

Lauer said the welding program was perfect for her because there are so many routes you can go for a career. She said she doesn’t know specifically which area of welding she will go into once she graduates but pursuing a college degree so that she can start her own business has been a goal.

“I’m looking into going to college and going for business and then starting my own fab shop, or going into the structural side of welding,” she said.

Lauer said before going to college and pursuing that route, she would like to gain experience and work in a fabrication shop, preferably close to home.

Madison Lauer gets ready to kick the soccer ball during a Belpre High School soccer game vs. Point Pleasant in September. (Photo provided by Madison Lauer)

Through the Career Center, Lauer has devoted some of her time to volunteering as a student ambassador. She said this summer she’s going to be giving tours to parents with kids who are interested in going to the center.

Lauer also recently joined the National Honor Society and said they have a meeting coming up soon to discuss their project for next year.

“I was eligible for it last year but I had a lot going on that year … but this year it hasn’t been as busy and I had the opportunity so I decided to join,” she said.

She said she’s also part of the Aero club which requires students to maintain a specific gpa range to be a member.

“It can go on resumes, and you also receive a white letter B instead of an orange with an arrow down the side of it, so it shows you’re part of the Aero club,” she said.

A group photo with all of the 2025-26 Washington County Career Center Student Ambassadors taken last fall. (Photo provided by Penny Jenkins)

Lauer said her mom supports her through school and helps her maintain her grades.

“My mom is really tough on me when it comes to grades,” Lauer joked. “She’s just keeping up on my work with me.”

Aside from academics, Lauer has been heavily involved in sports since she was a young girl. She said she started playing soccer when she was 6. Lauer also plays basketball and softball at Belpre and plays travel sports during the offseasons.

“It’s funny because I started trying to play tee-ball when I was younger, and I guess I hated it and never really went back, and I picked it up again about five years ago,” she said.

Without a doubt, soccer is her favorite sport although she enjoys the toughness of the others.

A photo of Madison Lauer as a Washington County Career Center Student Ambassador last fall. (Photo provided by Penny Jenkins)

“I just crack under pressure sometimes but soccer is just one of those sports that I just do it and let it happen,” said Lauer.

Although she’s not planning to continue sports beyond high school, she said if there were an opportunity for her to keep playing, she would easily take it.

Lauer is a member of the Belpre High School soccer team which consists of mostly boys with only two or three girl members, including Lauer.

“We don’t play against any girl teams either,” she said. “My brother actually used to play soccer as well and he’s going to play next year with me.”

She said playing with mostly guys against all boys teams has been an interesting experience and she’s learned a lot from it.

Madison Lauer catching during a Belpre High School home softball game vs. Fort Frye at Civitan Park in April. (Photo provided by Madison Lauer)

“It’s hard sometimes, but it’s really fun, and I feel like it’s honestly good training,” she said.

Lauer said the season starts in August and she’s excited to play her senior year.

“That is my favorite time of the year, getting up in the morning and training then coming home to nap before training more,” said Lauer. “It’s what I love to do.”

One notable experience Lauer recalled was participating and volunteering for the annual Belpre pumpkin drop. She said she had participated in the past when she was in elementary school and now she helps out during the event.

“It’s fun for the kids because they get to dress up and do trunk or treat and then do the pumpkin drop, it’s really fun,” she said.

Lauer has also volunteered some time training the middle school basketball teams.

With her senior year approaching and summer just around the corner, Lauer said she’s excited to go on vacation and spend time with her family and friends.

She said this summer her family plans to visit New Jersey and spend time in the sun. She said they would visit Myrtle Beach but wanted to switch it up this year.

“I do try and hang out with my friends a lot and as much as I can,” she said. “My boyfriend plays for the South Patriots baseball so whenever I get the chance I’m over there watching.”

With academics, sports and volunteerin, she doesn’t have many days off, but when she does, she said she enjoys getting food with her family and spending time together.

“I will say that academics are the road to success; if you have good academics you really can do anything,” said Lauer.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com