Innovation and student ingenuity were on full display at St. Clair College as 11 student groups pitched their best ideas to a panel of judges with the hopes of winning the 2025 Ford Innovation Showcase.
Ideas ranging from a device to alert sleepwalkers to smart parking systems were pitched by students from 14 different programs, forcing some tough decisions by a panel of five industry judges.
Cole Dennie and Colton Thibert raise their arms in celebration after winning the Ford Prize in Innovation at the 2025 Ford Innovation Showcase at St. Clair College on May 2, 2025. (Rohan Madhusudan/St. Clair College)
The pitches were developed by students during their respective capstone projects in various programs, with a record 27 student-groups submitting applications to be included in their year's showcase.
By the end of the competition on Friday, May 2, 2025, a handful of teams rose to the top at the fifth annual showcase.
'Cherrybomb Radical,' comprised of Mobile Applications Development students Cole Dennie and Colton Thibert took first place and the Ford Prize in Innovation for their mobile app 'Câi and Darren: Code Calamity.'
"Winning the showcase has been one of the greatest achievements in my life as being a game developer has been my dream ever since I was younger," said Dennie. "I've been doubted many times as I wasn't always great at what I do, but I never gave up. I kept going and going never stopping. I kept improving, kept looking at other things for inspiration and kept learning more and more."
When the winning team was revealed, the pair jumped with joy, in utter shock that they won the competition, along with a $3,000 cash prize.
"To win this event makes me feel extremely fulfilled as if all my work throughout those years has been worth it and paid off," said Dennie. "It's a huge win, not just for me, or even the both of us, but also for the MAD program."
The game they developed is a turn-based 2.5D RPG game created using the Unity game engine.
"One day, Darren is preparing for a morning lecture when suddenly all the computers start to go haywire," said Thibert, explaining the premise of the game. "Câi comes in and explains that the same issue is happening in his lab. As they both panic, Peter, a retired college professor, comes in and explains that every 100 years a Calamity Virus entity awakens and infects all the computers in the facility. Since Peter is retired, it's up to Câi & Darren to go down into the basement and stop the Code Calamity before it's too late."
Dennie credits the professors, Câi Filiault and Darren Takaki, who were the inspiration behind the game, and thanks them for their guidance and leadership during their time in the program.
"The professors of the MAD program have been some of the nicest, most wonderful people we've met, which ultimately made us decide on the idea of making our capstone about them," said Dennie. "It was supposed to be a final thank-you to them for everything that they've done for us."
"The thought that I now have an award-winning game under my belt is just unbelievable. I am, and will forever be grateful," Dennie added.
'The Biomeds' on stage after receiving the St. Clair College Prize in Innovation at the 2025 Ford Innovation Showcase at St. Clair College on May 2, 2025. (Rohan Madhusudan/St. Clair College)
Other finalists at the Ford Innovation Showcase
The 2025 St. Clair College Prize in Innovation, given to the second-place team, along with a $2,000 cash prize, went to 'The Biomeds.' The team was comprised of five students in the Biomedical Engineering Technology - Equipment and Devices program, including Narjis Sharifi, Raman Deol, Al-Awani Abdullah, Dawood Koria and Nadia Santana.
They created a device which alerts sleepwalkers to help keep them safe and give them independence.
The 2025 Saints Prize in Innovation, given to the third-place team, along with a $1,500 cash prize, was awarded to St. Clair College Advertising for their idea, 'Hockey Rink App.' The team was made up of four students in the Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program, including Lizzie Marion, Nathan Triolet, Elliot Smith and Kayla Kwiatkowski.
The idea, which the students pitched earlier this year at the NHL Innovation Competition, was to create a multi-screen experience to draw new fans to the National Hockey League.
For the first time ever at the Ford Innovation Showcase, spectators were also brought in on the judging for the inaugural 'Crowd Choice Award,' sponsored by LiUNA local 625.
'The Biomeds' and 'Concrete Munchers,' featuring members of the Concrete Canoe Club, tied for the most crowd votes to share the award, along with a $1,000 cash prize.
The Ford Innovation Showcase was sponsored by Ford Motor Company, St. Clair College Alumni Association, Student Representative Council, CenterLine, InPlace, We-Tech Alliance, Parallel 42, LiUNA local 625 and the Windsor International Film Festival.
The event also featured a keynote address from Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Ryan Donally, who spoke about many things, including the need for innovation in a time of economic uncertainty.
Pat Papadeas, the Director of Academic Operations, was the lead organizer for the showcase, along with The Genesis Experiential Learning and Career Centre.
Papadeas said it was an emotional day for the students and their families in attendance, where the winning teams were overcome with tears of joy.
"The Ford Innovation Showcase was a tremendous success and a proud moment for St. Clair College. Our students demonstrated exceptional innovation, technical expertise, and problem-solving - showcasing the real-world skills they've gained through hands-on learning," said Papadeas. "The energy, creativity, and professionalism on display truly impressed our industry partners and reaffirmed the vital role our graduates will play in shaping the future."
