Some skilled Central Alberta students have returned from Vancouver with medals for their efforts.
Based on their performances in the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in May, six locals earned the right to take part in the national contest in Vancouver from June 5 to 8. Five came back from the coast with citations commemorating their competence.
Ponoka Composite High School student Josiah Pilon earned Canadian gold for his carpentry creations, one of nine golds won by Alberta students at the national competition. For winning, Pilon receives $1,000 in scholarships.
Dustin Sejdl and Jennifer Sidwell, also Ponoka students, garnered silver medals in the cabinet making and job skill demonstration categories, respectively. Scott Pylypow, also of Ponoka and now a Red Deer College student, took bronze in the post-secondary carpentry competition.
Red Deer’s Mackenzie Clews, a Notre Dame High School student, collected bronze in the electrical installations category.
Coralee Martin of Hunting Hills High School also competed in Vancouver, placing fifth in the IT Software Solutions for Business competition.
Every two years, winners from the national competition are selected to attend an international skills competition. Unfortunately for local winners, 2013 was not a selection year.
Five hundred students from across Canada participated in more than 40 skills categories at the national competition.