March 4, 2024 (Cornwall, ON) – Last week, Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) students showed off their skills at the Eastern Ontario SKLZ competition, clinching a total of 23 gold, silver, and bronze medals, with 11 individuals and teams advancing to upcoming competitions.
The event, held Tuesday, Feb. 27 at St. Lawrence College (SLC) in Cornwall, is an annual competition in collaboration with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and SLC. Approximately 200 participants from both school boards across the region showcased their skills in 11 different trades. With representation from 19 out of 22 secondary schools, UCDSB had about 120 students compete at SKLZ.
The first and second place winners of the TV/Video and Welding will advance to a provincial qualifier in Kingston on April 13. The top UCDSB student in all other categories except Environmental and CAD Design are advancing to the Skills Ontario competition to be held in Toronto in May.
The culinary competition is planned for March 5 at Thousand Islands Secondary School. The top two competitors from this event will also compete at the provincial qualifier on April 13.
The carpentry and cabinet making competition is planned for March 20 at the Carpenter’s Union in Ottawa. The top individuals and teams from the event will also advance to the provincial competition in May.
UCDSB results from the SKLZ Competition are as follows:
TV / Video
Gold – Wyatt Brown from Russell High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Silver – Anna Bimm and Georgia Stanley from North Grenville District High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Bronze – Bree McKenzie and Logan Seabrook from North Grenville District High School
Welding
Gold – Anthony Velocci from Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Silver – Lucas St. Denis from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Automotive
Gold – Grace Meunier-Blaine from North Grenville District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Skyler MacDonald from Glengarry District High School
Bronze – Kyle Paige-Kack from Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute
Small Engines
Gold – Josh Sauve from Tagwi Secondary School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Darren Gregoire from North Dundas District High School
Floristry
Gold – McKenzie Branchaud from Tagwi Secondary School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Haleigh McMurray from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School
Bronze – Kaydence Antoine and Taylor Derby from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School
Hairstyling
Gold – Brooklyn Robinson from St. Lawrence Secondary School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Aesthetics
Gold – Leland Delormier from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Bronze – Jasmine Saucier from Russell High School
Photography
Silver – Trinity Morrice from North Grenville District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Bronze – Kenzie Brown from Russell High School
Job Interview
Silver – Merab Ali from Seaway District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Environmental
Silver – Jada Smirle and Lauren Maxwell from Russell High School
CAD Design
Gold – Liam Steadman from North Grenville
Silver – Tyler Wilson from Rockland
Bronze – Charlie El-Khauli from CCVS
