Instructors and students in Memorial High School’s welding and construction technology programs received a much anticipated gift courtesy of BASF Total.

Representatives of the refinery delivered the gift — six large rolling, multi-drawer toolboxes, recently.

Eddie Patin, construction technology instructor, said the toolboxes will come in handy.

“This will be a great asset to the program,” Patin said. “Students will have more access to hand tools and power tools and this teaches real life applications.”

Ashley Joseph with BASF total Petrochemicals LLC, said the toolboxes were surplus items from the company’s instrumentation department.

Willie Gloston, a senior in the construction technology program, was pleased to see the toolboxes arrive.

“This is something we need,” Gloston said.

Gloston is planning a career in construction and is eager to use the skills he has learned in the class, he said.

MHS welding instructor Adrian Barnes said the donation means a lot to the program and shows BASF Total cares about the students.

Senior Jesus Dehoyos, who is in the welding program, was also happy to see the donation. He plans to go into the welding field upon graduation.

Barnes explained Dehoyos is the recipient of a scholarship through Cheniere Energy and Bechtel. Dehoyos will be able to attend Lamar Institute of Technology for two years and after graduation from their program will be hired to work at the Cheniere-Bechtel project in Sabine Pass.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” Barnes said.

Bob Grissom, with BASF Total, said it feels great to donate to the students knowing they will gain experience and utilize the toolboxes.

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