Titus Kozmin, an UCDSB student from North Dundas District High School competes in the Automotive Competition. Photo Courtesy of UCDSB

CORNWALL – On Tues., Feb. 25, 120 students from across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) showed off their skills at the Eastern Ontario SKLZ competition, walking away with a total of 26 gold, silver, and bronze medals. In addition, 11 individuals and teams advanced to upcoming competitions.

The annual competition is held at St. Lawrence College (SLC) in Cornwall in collaboration with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) and SLC. Approximately 190 participants from both school boards across the region showcased their skills in 14 different trades. Fourteen of 22 secondary schools in the UCDSB were represented.

The first and second place winners of Welding, and the top UCDSB finishers in TV/Video will advance to a provincial qualifier in Kingston on April 5. The top UCDSB students in all other categories except Environmental and CAD Design are advancing to the Skills Ontario competition to be held in Toronto in May.

The carpentry and cabinet making competition is planned for March 5 at the Carpenter’s Union in Ottawa. The top individuals and teams from that event will also advance to the provincial competition in May.

While winners can go to the next level competition, they may choose not to. The invite then goes to the next in line.

UCDSB results from the SKLZ Competition are as follows:

2D Animation

Gold – Vivian MacKenzie, Perth District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Silver – Allissa Frizell, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute

Bronze – Morgan Walker, Perth District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario, partnering with Vivian)

3D CAD

Gold – Brycen Michaud, Tagwi Secondary School

Silver – Trevor Backs, Seaway District High School

Bronze – Charlie McCarthy, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School

Bronze – Burke Thompson, Tagwi Secondary School

Aesthetics

Bronze – Bella Sells, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Automotive

Gold – Ben Osborne, Glengarry District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Silver – Skylar McDonald, Glengarry District High School

Bronze – Dylan Kitts, Tagwi Secondary School

Floristry

Gold – Heidi Zihlman, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Silver – Izzie Lavinge, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School

Bronze – Candence Lalonde, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School

Grade 9 Doghouse Build (Team of 4)

Gold – Charlie Steele, Hannah Rodger, Mayank Nadigar & Tyson Densmore Nadeau, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute

Hairstyling

Silver – Chloe Kirkman, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Job Interview

Gold – Alex Moussa, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School

Silver – Katie Crites, Tagwi Secondary School

Photography

Bronze – Alisander Schwendemann, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Small Engines

Gold – Theo Pedherney, Rideau District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)

Silver – Darren Gregoire, North Dundas District High School

Bronze – Gavin Slack, Perth & District Collegiate Institute

TV / Video

Bronze – Abigal MacLennan, Tagwi Secondary School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)

4th Place – Wyatt Brown & Gail Tanguay, Russell High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)

Welding

Gold – Trystan Lindahl, North Dundas District High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)

Silver – Lucas St. Denis, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)

Bronze – Jack Swain, North Grenville District High School