Two KDSS students in top three at Regional Technological Skills Challenge

Two students from Kincardine District Secondary School placed in the top three at the Bluewater District School Board's 12th annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge, held Friday in Owen Sound.

Olivia Convay was second in hairstyling, while Declan Mowle won first in small-powered equipment.

About 100 students, enrolled in technological education courses in Bruce and Grey counties, participated in the event held at Georgian College and a few other select Owen Sound locations.

Under the meticulous surveillance of experienced local industry judges, students competed in a multitude of diverse categories, ranging from carpentry and welding to culinary arts and hairstyling.

 

The results for each challenge are as follows:

 

Auto Service Technology
 

• 1^st – Clayton Wathke, Chesley District Community School
• 2^nd – Ethan Harvey, West Hill Secondary School, Owen Sound
• 3^rd – Denver Johnson, John Diefenbaker Senior School

 

Carpentry – Team of Two
 

• 1^st – Dillon Reay and Andrew Brillinger, John Diefenbaker Senior School, Hanover
• 2^nd – Brendan Boers and Christian Caley, St. Mary’s High School, Owen Sound
• 3^rd – Damian Walker and Ben Vanderwielen, Chesley District Community School

 

Culinary Arts
 

• 1^st – Zachary Smith, Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton
• 2^nd – Elizabeth Bulsink, St. Mary’s High School, Owen Sound
• 3^rd – Brayden Pearce, Chesley District Community School

 

Electrical Wiring
 

• 1^st – Shiann Booth, Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin
• 2^nd – Jared Woods, Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin
• 3^rd – McLean Reid, Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin

Olivia Convay (R) of KDSS takes second place in Hairstyling at the Regional Technological Skills Challenge; photos courtesy of the Bluewater District School Board
 

Hairstyling
 

• 1^st – Ariel Fletcher, West Hill Secondary School, Owen Sound
• 2^nd – Olivia Convay, Kincardine District Secondary School
• 3^rd – Lauren Longstreet, Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton

 

Precision Machining
 

• 1^st – Evan Kuhl, West Hill Secondary School, Owen Sound
• 2^nd – Keaton Rich, Sacred Heart High School, Walkerton
• 3^rd – Coleton Bartlett, John Diefenbaker Senior School, Hanover

Declan Mowle of KDSS wins first in small-powered equipment at the Regional Technological Skills Challenge

 

Small-Powered Equipment
 

• 1^st – Declan Mowle, Kincardine District Secondary School
• 2^nd – Lucas Bulsink, St. Mary’s High School, Owen Sound
• 3^rd – Sawyer Burneister, John Diefenbaker Senior School, Hanover

 

Welding
 

• 1^st – Craig Klein, Sacred Heart High School, Walkerton
• 2^nd – Zach Harper, Sacred Heart High School, Walkerton
• 3^rd – Brendan Knights, Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton

 

Twelve Bluewater District students will now move on to compete at the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competition in Barrie, April 16. As of now, 22 Bluewater students are direct entry competitors to the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo, May 3.

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.

 

Co-ordinated by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, 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.