Two KDSS students win their divisions at regional skills challenge

Two Kincardine District Secondary School students brought home top marks in their divisions at the Regional Technological Skills Challenge, held Friday, March 23, in Owen Sound.

Declan Mowle won the automotive category, while Rob McGregor won the small-powered equipment category.

They were among 100 secondary students from across Bruce and Grey counties, including a large contingent from Bluewater District School Board, who attended this premier local skilled-trades event, hosted by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Following are the results from each challenge:

Automotive
1^st – Declan Mowle – Kincardine District Secondary School
2^nd – Clay Hollinger – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3^rd – Lyan Blankers – John Diefenbaker Senior School

Small Powered Equipment
1^st – Rob McGregor – Kincardine District Secondary School
2^nd – Sheldon Becker – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3^rd – John Brillinger – John Diefenbaker Senior School

Carpentry – Team of Two
1^st – Tyler Hennessy and Caleb Hawkins – St. Mary’s High School
2^nd – Derrick Cornfield and Gabe Close – Georgian Bay Community School
3^rd – Mark O'Brien & Ethan Cameron – Bruce Peninsula District School

Culinary
1^st – Dre Wannamaker – Saugeen District Secondary School
2^nd – Jazmyn Munn – Saugeen District Secondary School (Dual Credit)
3^rd – Kirsten Chamberlain – Sacred Heart High School

Electrical Installations
1^st – Ashton Nearingburg – Bruce Peninsula District School
2^nd – Aaron Price – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3^rd – Tyler Jissink – Saugeen District Secondary School

Hairstyling
1^st – Brooke Cardinal - Owen Sound District Secondary School
2^nd – Kat Kool - Owen Sound District Secondary School
3^rd – Hannah Borland - Owen Sound District Secondary School

Precision Machining
1^st – Everett Grubb – Sacred Heart High School
2^nd – Will DeBoer – Owen Sound District Secondary School
3^rd – Jeremy Elbert – Sacred Heart High School

Welding
1^st – Dawson McBurney – John Diefenbaker Senior School
2^nd – Kody Schnurr – Sacred Heart High School
3^rd – Rhys Martin – Sacred Heart High School

Ten Bluewater school board students have advanced to compete at the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions in Barrie, April 7. There are also 25 additional Bluewater students who have qualified as direct-entry competitors for the Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto, May 7-8.

Bluewater students have continually performed well in skilled-trades competitions at the regional, provincial, and national levels. Last year, students who advanced to the provincial challenge garnered one gold and one bronze medal. One of those students also represented Ontario at the national event, where he secured gold.

Prior to the awards ceremony, a special announcement was made by Community Foundation Grey Bruce, revealing the results of its Smart and Caring Education Community Fund initiative, which supports local students pursuing post-secondary education and training in skilled-trades-related careers. The initiative has already surpassed its goal with more than $1.8-million currently available thanks to the generous contributions of donors in the community.