The North Island Regional competition for Skills Canada B.C. was held this year at North Island College in Campbell River with many students from the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Parksville/Qualicum and Power River School Districts participating Feb. 24.
The event drew more than 200 competitors in Grades 6 to 12 from seven secondary and 12 elementary schools competing in 18 different events ranging from automotive, carpentry, culinary, and welding to 2D/3D animation, digital art and electronics. Junior events for students competing in Grades 6 to 8 included gravity cars, spaghetti bridge design, wind turbine and Lego Mindstorm robotics.
“It is a privilege to collaborate with Comox Valley Schools to host this important event, which empowers students as they showcase their outstanding skills and passion for skilled trades and technical careers,” said Cheryl O’Connell, NIC dean of trades and technical programs. “Congratulations to everyone who participated.”
Steve Claassen, Comox Valley Schools careers co-ordinator for trades and ADST has been involved with Skills Canada for more than 20 years and acknowledged that the calibre of skills among North Island students continues to be strong from year to year.
“This event always inspires me as I see our communities’ next generation of designers, fabricators, technicians and trouble-shooters,” explained Claassen. “The North Island is fortunate to have skilled students in trades and technology coming out of very strong school programs and in most years some of our students reach the nationals and come back with medals.”
RESULTS
Secondary Gold Medal Winners
2D Animation - Jordyn Wallace-Patterson, G.P Vanier Secondary 3D Animation - Elliot Sidlick and Logan Jones, Carihi Secondary Automotive – Leland Strachan, G.P. Vanier Secondary Cabinetmaking - Andrew Hyrbko, Timberline Secondary
Carpentry - Matt Simard, G.P. Vanier Secondary Culinary - Ella Oldaker, Mark R Isfeld Secondary Digital Art - Lee Robinson, G.P. Vanier Secondary Electronics – Ryan White, Highland Secondary Photography – Clara Ingram, G.P. Vanier Secondary Welding - Markus Johnson, Carihi Secondary
Junior Event Winners
Gravity Car - Ari Roberts & Gavin Cooper, Qualicum Beach Elementary
Potential Energy Vehicle - Flynn Hutton and Hudson Orcutt, Qualicum Beach Elementary
Lego Mindstorm - Jonas Desaulniers and Pavel Petrov, École Puntledge Park Elementary
Wind Turbine - Jacob Williams, Aspen Park Elementary
Spaghetti Bridge - Maggie Keenoy and Tallulah Bathurst, Aspen Park Elementary
Gold medal regional winners advance to provincials at the Abbotsford Tradex in April. Provincial winners advance to the national Skills Canada competition.