It was another opportunity for Bluewater District School Board secondary students to shine in the skilled trades. The 12th Annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge, held on Friday, April 1, 2016 at Georgian College and a few other select Owen Sound locations, involved approximately 100 students enrolled in technological education courses in Bruce and Grey Counties. Under the meticulous surveillance of experienced local industry judges, students competed in a multitude of diverse categories, ranging from carpentry and welding to culinary and hairstyling.
Here is a list of results from each challenge:
Auto Service Technology
1st – Clayton Wathke, Chesley District Community School
2nd – Ethan Harvey, West Hill Secondary School
3rd – Denver Johnson, John Diefenbaker Senior School
Carpentry – Team of 2
1st – Dillon Reay & Andrew Brillinger, John Diefenbaker Senior School
2nd – Brendan Boers & Christian Caley, St. Mary's High School
3rd – Damian Walker & Ben Vanderwielen, Chesley District Community School
Culinary Arts
1st – Zachary Smith, Grey Highlands Secondary School
2nd – Elizabeth Bulsink, St. Mary's High School
3rd – Brayden Pearce, Chesley District Community School
Electrical Wiring
1st – Shiann Booth, Saugeen District Secondary School
2nd – Jared Woods, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – McLean Reid, Saugeen District Secondary School
Hairstyling
1St – Ariel Fletcher, West Hill Secondary School
2nd – Olivia Convay, Kincardine District Secondary School
3rd – Lauren Longstreet, Grey Highlands Secondary School
Precision Machining
1st – Evan Kuhl, West Hill Secondary School
2nd – Keaton Rich, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Coleton Bartlett, John Diefenbaker Senior School
Small Powered Equipment
1st – Declan Mowle, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Lucas Bulsink, St. Mary's High School
3rd – Sawyer Burneister, John Diefenbaker Senior School
Welding
1st – Craig Klein, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – Zach Harper, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Brendan Knights, Grey Highlands Secondary School
Twelve Bluewater District School Board students will now move on to compete at the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competition in Barrie on April 16, 2016. As of right now, 22 Bluewater students are Direct Entry Competitors to the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo on May 3, 2016! Last year, three Bluewater students won gold medals at the provincials before advancing to the national event in Saskatoon, where they secured ninth and fourth place finishes along with one gold. In addition to provincial and national recognition, a number of students who previously attended the Regional Technological Skills Challenge were successful in securing apprenticeships with potential employers.
Coordinated by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), this invaluable career related skilled trades event for local students would not be possible without the many community sponsors, volunteers and technology teachers who offer their generous support, knowledge and passion on an ongoing basis.
