UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

March 22, 2019 (Alexandria, ON) - Glengarry District High School (GDHS) hosted the 2019 Intermediate Skills Ontario Regional Qualifier on Thursday, March 21 with 112 students competing to advance to the Skills Ontario Competition in May. 

The event attracted students from Pleasant Corners Public School, GDHS, Char-Lan District High School, St. Lawrence Secondary School, Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, Russell High School, and Rockland District High School. Students competed in one of three events: Construction Challenge (model house construction); Green Industries Challenge (model wind turbine construction); and Technology Challenge (working machine construction). Students qualified for the regionals at school-based competitions held over the past few weeks. 

“The main goal is to open up kids’ eyes to the opportunities available for jobs in the skilled trades,” said Convener Lindsey Howes. “Traditionally that’s something we haven’t done a great job of in schools. We need to do a better job of showing students the pathways to a successful career and a successful life. University isn’t your only option.” 

In tackling the planning and construction of the projects, students learned skills in mathematics and science; studied natural resources and sustainable energy; and developed literacy skills by creating their own plans and instructions for building their projects. They also developed valuable workplace skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking. 

Gold-medal teams that will advance to the Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto, held on May 6-8 are as follows: 

Green Industries Challenge: Rockland District High School Team 9; Jeffrey Kalambayi, Nicholas Turner, Miah Duetta and Amber Chan 

Technology Challenge: Char-Lan District High School Team 7; Brayden Flaro, Mikey MacLachlan, Colby Lauzon and Kieren McLeod. 

Construction Challenge: Glengarry District High School Team 2; Alexis Smith, Kailey Peerenboom, Ella Picard, and Emma Dewar. 

The competition was sponsored by Mille Roches Construction Ltd. And the Alexandria branch of Caisse Populaires. 

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