Welding sparks interest of Burt County teen

Janelle Atyeo
Oct 29, 2025
Oct 29, 2025

1 of 3

Taylor Brummond made a life-sized cowboy out of metal. The sculpture graces her grandma's front yard.

Submitted photo

As a birthday present for Taylor, the Brummond family took a trip to Lemmon, S.D., in early October, where she got to meet metal sculptor John Lopez. His large scale work is an inspiration for the teen metal worker.

Submitted photo

Taylor Brummond and John Lopez stand by one of the artist's metal sculptures during a visit to Lemmon, S.D.

Submitted photo

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Janelle Atyeo

It all started with a spark.

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4-H welder (26).JPG — Taylor Brummond holds one of the smaller creations she’s made in the welding shop, a turtle made of washers and nuts.
ri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Taylor Brummond’s heaviest piece, a highland cow head, weighs 400 pounds. It was purchased by an auctioneer from Kansas who has since bought more of her work.
Submitted photo

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4-H welder (68) - worked.jpg — Taylor Brummond welds in her family’s shop north of Tekamah. The 14-year-old picked up the craft when she was 10 and has since received recognition for her art at the Nebraska State Fair.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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4-H welder (88).JPG — Taylor Brummond shows the Nebraska-themed elements on a deer sculpture she entered in this year's State Fair.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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4-H welder (100) cross - worked.jpg — Brummond donated a cross to the Burt County Fair auction this summer, raising $4,000 for fairground improvements.
Submitted photo

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4-H welder (93).JPG — Taylor Brummond describes her most recent project, a leaping horse, made with scrap metal, cutlery and hand-crafted metal flowers.
Midwest Messenger photo by Janelle Atyeo

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4-H welder (105).JPG — Taylor Brummond and John Lopez weld together on a horse head Taylor gifted him while visiting his studio and shop this fall.
Submitted photo

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.