June is a time of celebration across the Lambton Kent District School Board as students are recognized for their academic achievement, athletic success, leadership, community involvement, skilled trades excellence, and contributions to school life. At John McGregor Secondary School (JMSS), one of those recognitions has become a remarkable story of generosity, leadership, and international connection.
(L) Tapanga Dzieciol (R) Thea Givair
Each year, the top student in every Transportation Technology class at JMSS receives a Mechanic's Hand Tool Award, recognizing excellence in academic achievement, technical skills, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, goal setting, and personal persistence.
This year, the Grade 12 award recipient was Thea Givair, an exchange student from Belgium who chose JMSS as her host school because of her passion for automobile racing and the school's renowned Transportation Technology program.
After learning she had earned the prestigious award, Givair faced an unexpected challenge. The prize comprehensive mechanics' tool set was simply too large and heavy to transport back to Belgium. Rather than letting the award go unused, she chose to gift it to the second-place student, Tapanga Dzieciol, in a gesture that reflected the teamwork and sportsmanship that are hallmarks of the program.
The attached photo captures the moment Givair presented the tool set to Dzieciol, celebrating not only individual achievement but also the strong sense of community within the JMSS Transportation Technology program.
Givair's connection to JMSS extended well beyond the classroom. Upon arriving at the school, she quickly became involved with the JMSS #57 Race Team, contributing countless hours alongside fellow students helping to build and prepare the team's race car. Through her dedication, technical knowledge, and leadership, she was ultimately selected by her teammates to serve as Crew Leader.
For Technology Transportation Education, James Stonehouse, Givair's story highlights something much larger than a single award.
"Thea's experience demonstrates the outstanding opportunities available to students in our Transportation Technology program. Not only did she excel in the classroom and shop, but she became an integral leader on our race team. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the impact she made on our school community."
The story also speaks to the growing reputation of JMSS's Transportation Technology program beyond Ontario and beyond Canada.
Students in the program gain hands-on experience through industry-standard learning opportunities, including automotive repair, diagnostics, fabrication, and participation on the school's celebrated student-led racing team. These experiences help prepare students for careers in the skilled trades, engineering, automotive technology, and related fields.
For Givair, those opportunities were significant enough to influence her decision to travel thousands of kilometres from home to study at JMSS.
"When an international student chooses a school because of one of its technology programs, it speaks volumes about the quality of learning taking place," said Chief Executive Officer of LKDSB. "John McGregor Secondary School's Transportation Technology program is providing students with exceptional experiences that are attracting attention well beyond our local community. This recognition reinforces the incredible work of our staff and students and demonstrates how skilled trades education can open doors and inspire young people from around the world."
