North Dundas District High School (NDDHS) has been named the national 2025 Forged by Youth top prize winner, earning a $15,000 award from the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Foundation for an innovative project led by the Manufacturing Technology class in 2024-2025.
The winning creation is a mini ice resurfacer, repurposed from a plywood feed cart. Designed and built over two semesters, the project was completed just in time to debut at a North Dundas Rockets Junior Hockey Team playoff game last spring. Since then, the resurfacer has served as a promotional vehicle at Rockets' home games and community events. It not only drives, it also includes a drawer that can carry promotional materials.
"This project is a true example of hands-on, real-world learning," said teacher Andrew Whitton, who guided the students throughout the construction process. "The skills our students developed, from problem-solving to precision welding, are ones they'll carry with them for life. We're grateful to the CWB Foundation for supporting opportunities like this through both the award and their ongoing contributions to our program."
Grade 12 student Sam Dean, who earned his welding certification in Grade 10, was responsible for building the intricate nose cone that required five precise bends from a single piece of metal.
"I enjoyed building the Zamboni," says Dean. "Some of the measuring and figuring out the angles was difficult, but even when you don't think you're learning much, you're actually learning so much."
"It was a really cool experience to be part of something that will be seen around the community," adds Grade 12 student Brady Casselman. "Everyone had a role, and when you put it all together, you can see how much effort and skill it takes to turn an idea into a finished product."
The Forged by Youth Award, created and funded by the CWB Foundation in 2021, was established to celebrate the creativity and effort involved in secondary school welding projects and to support welding facilities across the country. These awards recognize outstanding class projects each year, with a financial award presented to the winning schools to strengthen their welding programs.
At NDDHS, the $15,000 award will go toward purchasing a new inverter welder for the school's welding room, expanding opportunities for future students.
For more information
225 Central Avenue West
Brockville Ontario
Canada K6V 5X1
www.ucdsb.on.ca
