The 15th annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge was held March 22 at various Owen Sound locations.

It was a bright day for the future of local skilled trades on Friday, March 22 as approximately 115 secondary students from Bruce and Grey counties attended the 15th annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge, said a March 26 Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) media release.

Coordinated by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), eight competitions took place between the locations of Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus and Owen Sound District Secondary School. Industry judges were on hand to evaluate the competitors according to industry standards, while a large complement of dedicated teachers and coaches also accompanied their students to lend support and participate in a tour of Owen Sound’s Hobart Canada site.

Competitors from Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) took the second place spot in three of the eight categories. Caleb Stewardson and Cheyanne Woods took second place in the Carpentry Team of Two category, Jazmyn Munn placed second in the Culinary category and Andrew Harding placed second in the Outdoor Powered Equipment category.

Complete results are as follows:

Automotive
1st – Blain Reynolds, Georgian Bay Community School
2nd – Lyan Blankers, John Diefenbaker Senior School
3rd – Josh Steip, John Diefenbaker Senior School

Carpentry – Team of Two
1st – Shayne McCarthy and Travis Leschied, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Caleb Stewardson and Cheyanne Woods, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd - Quinton Armitage and Carter Swanson, Georgian Bay Community School

Culinary
1st – Cayley Krieg, Peninsula Shores District School
2nd – Jazmyn Munn, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – Dakota Poitras, Walkerton District Community School

Electrical
1st – Ashton Nearingburg, Bruce Peninsula District School
2nd – Sam Leggett, Kincardine District Secondary School
3rd – Luke Richardson, Kincardine District Secondary School

Hairstyling
1st – Aly Airdrie, Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Ashleigh Fleming, Owen Sound District Secondary School
3rd – Kaydee Byers, Owen Sound District Secondary School

Outdoor Powered Equipment
1st – Robert McGregor, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Andrew Harding, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – John Brillinger, John Diefenbaker Senior School

Precision Machining
1st – Jeremy Elbert, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – Ben Elbert, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Ethan Huizinga, Owen Sound District Secondary School

Welding
1st – Andrew Rourke, Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Kody Schnurr, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Blair Mackey, Georgian Bay Community School

SDSS students Caleb Stewardson (third from left) and Cheyanne Woods (fourth from left placed second in the Carpentry Team of 2 category at the 15th annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge. Photo submitted

SDSS student Jazmyn Munn (right) placed second in the Culinary category. Photo submitted

Andrew Harding (left) from SDSS placed second in the Outdoor Powered Equipment category. Photo submitted