MAPLE RIDGE-PITT MEADOWS SCHOOL DISTRICT
SD42 student wins bronze at national skills competition

Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows School District (SD42) student Courtney Edwards cut and styled her way to a bronze medal at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Winnipeg earlier this month.

Courtney Edwards displays her bronze medal.

Edwards, who's enrolled in the Hairstyling Program at Samuel Robertson Technical, earned gold at the Provincial Skills Canada British Columbia Competition in April to qualify for the nationals.

"I'm extremely proud of Courtney's dedication to training for both the provincial and national levels," said instructor Gary Franceschini. "She showed a great deal of maturity and creativity, which led to her winning medals both times."  

At the nationals, contestants had to perform several tasks - a men's fashion cut and style; bridal long hair up; women's fashion haircut; and men's modern classic haircut and style. 

"She's a good competitor; she works well under pressure," added Franceschini.

SD42 hairstylist students have excelled at skills competitions in recent years, both at the provincial and national level.

"By partnering with Vancouver Community College, SD42 is committed to providing industry leading technical training for our hairdressing program," said Brad Dingler, Secondary School Apprenticeship and Trades Co-ordinator.

"Our partnership has, year after year, produced gold, silver and bronze winners at the provincial and national level in hairdressing. Given that hairdressing is now a nationally certified Red Seal trade in BC, this is a major accomplishment by Courtney."