Padraig Barry Murphy and Azel Garside from Saugeen District Senior School took the first and third spots in the Culinary category at the 2024 Regional Technological Skills Challenge. Second place was captured by C.J. Antoine from John Diefenbaker Senior School in Hanover. Photo submitted.
Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) students from eight secondary schools convened in Owen Sound on Friday, March 1, 2024 as the Regional Technological Skills Challenge made its return for another year.
In a March 4, 2024 media release from BWDSB, the competition was hosted by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), held in three locations, including Georgian College, Sydenham Campus, and Owen Sound District Secondary School, and encompassed the wide-ranging categories of Carpentry – Team of Two, Culinary, Electrical Installations, Hairstyling, and Welding.
The premier local skilled trades event of 2024, ‘Regional Skills’ is for local secondary students enrolled in trades programs with each challenge being judged by local industry experts. Participants are graded according to sector specific criteria.
Three students from Saugeen District Senior School ranked in the top 3 in the categories of Culinary and Electrical Installations with Padraig Barry Murphy and Azel Garside taking the first and third Culinary spots and Dakota MacInnis captured the second place title in Electrical Installations.
Top three students from each challenge were as follows:
Culinary
1. Padraig Barry Murphy – Saugeen District Senior School
2. C.J. Antoine – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3. Azel Garside – Saugeen District Senior School
Welding
1. Clayton Wood – John Diefenbaker Senior School
2. Parker Elphick – Sacred Heart High School
3. Greg Stroeder – Owen Sound District Secondary School
Hairstyling
1. Riley Hayball – Owen Sound District Secondary School
2. Austin Ceaser – Owen Sound District Secondary School
3. Gloria Libicz – Owen Sound District Secondary School
Electrical Installations
1. Nathan Romphf – Sacred Heart High School
2. Dakota MacInnis – Saugeen District Senior School
3. Michael Liscio – Owen Sound District Secondary School
Carpentry – Team of Two
1. Jake Matcheski and Hayden Wardell – Owen Sound District Secondary School
2. Landon Fry and Alex Tersteege – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3. Tim Ireland and Cohen Wettlaufer – Sacred Heart High School
The top three Culinary and Welding students will move on to compete at the 2024 Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions in Barrie on Saturday, April 13. The first place finishers in the remaining categories will advance directly to the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition on May 6, 7, and 8 in Toronto.
"Congratulations and best of luck to these competitors as they move on to the next phase of challenges," read the release, which also acknowledged every student who participated and brought their skills to the table.
"Thanks to OYAP, our hosting community partners, judges, technology teachers, and other staff, who helped to coordinate and ensure the success of another amazing experiential learning event for students," the release said. "They are appreciated for their ongoing commitment and support of students as they explore careers in the skilled trades."
Saugeen District Senior School's Dakota MacInnis took second place in the Electrical Installations category at the 2024 Regional Technological Skills Challenge in Owen Sound. First place went to Nathan Romphf from Sacred Heart High School in Walkerton and third place was awarded to Michael Liscio from Owen Sound District Secondary School. Photo submitted.
Students from Owen Sound District Secondary School students captured all the podium spots in the Hairstyling category at the Regional Skills competition March 1, 2024. First place went to Riley Hayball, second to Austin Ceaser and third place was captured by Gloria Libicz. Photo submitted.
