DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA
DSBN Elementary Students Make Strong Debut at Skills Ontario Competition

This year, for the first-time ever, a talented group of 37 District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) elementary students joined 47 secondary students to showcase their expertise at the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition, held in Toronto on May 6 and 7.

Elementary students proudly represented DBSN in 10 competitions, including robotics, character animation and design challenges. Secondary students, who previously earned gold medals at the 26th annual DSBN Technological Skills Challenge, competed in 29 different competitions. Among the exceptional group, 17 students returned from the competition with medals, including:

Gold Medal Winners:

• Job Skill Demonstration: Autumn Wartman, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
• Landscape Design: Lily Clarke, Westlane Secondary School
• Plumbing: Ayden Donovan, St. Catharines Collegiate
• Video Editing: Faith Papadopoulos and Kaylen Anderson, St. David's Public School

Silver Medal Winners:

• Grade 7-8 Construction Challenge: Sully Feduck, Logan Neufeld, Tea Graveline and Sophie Cook, McKay Public School
• Hairstyling: Donae Moultrie, Stamford Collegiate
• VEX V5 Robotics Team of 4: Maya Dueck, Evan Dueck, Hannah Gilchrist and Bella Yee, A.N. Myer Secondary School

Bronze Medal Winners:

• Floristry: Kiara Fields, Westlane Secondary School
• Job Skill Demonstration: Ana Jaramillo, Thorold Secondary School
• Outdoor Powered Equipment: Jack Baker, E.L. Crossley Secondary School

Autumn Wartman (Gold Medal Winner, Job Skill Demonstration) will represent DSBN as part of Team Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition taking place in Quebec City from May 27 to June 1.

At the Skills Ontario Competition, students not only compete against some of the top students in their field from across the province, they also have the opportunity to network with educators, professionals and potential employers. Over the two days of competition, students further their communication, problem-solving, team building and leadership skills while participating in hands-on projects aligned with curriculum and industry standards.

"Our students represented the DSBN with pride, passion and a whole lot of heart," said Roy Smith, DSBN Technology and SHSM Consultant. "They honed their skills and exhibited incredible dedication and perseverance, having put in countless hours before and after school to prepare for this competition."

"Congratulations to all winners and to every student who participated in this year's set of challenges. Special thanks to our dedicated technology educators who work hard year after year to support students in these competitions and toward their career goals."