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Students from across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) participated in the annual Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto on May 5-6, 2025. Fifty-seven students competed either as individuals, teams of two, or teams of four. A total of five medals were won by UCDSB schools, with Glengarry District High School, St. Lawrence Secondary School, and Rideau District High School all bringing home hardware in a variety of challenges.  

The Skills Ontario Competition offers top students from across the province the chance to showcase their talents and compete in hands-on, industry-aligned challenges. Participants gain valuable experience while impressing educators, employers, and supporters. Winners earn gold, silver, or bronze medals, with opportunities for scholarships, job offers, and advancement to national and international competitions.

Students punched their ticket to the Toronto event by winning in local competitions in Ottawa, Cornwall, and Kemptville, and then passing through the regional competition in Kingston this past April.

Day one of the competition saw 22 UCDSB intermediate students compete in the categories of TV/Video Production, LEGO Robotics, LEGO Mechanical Engineering, Green Energy, Technology, and Construction.

On the second day, 35 UCDSB secondary students stepped up to take on their peers in Animation, Aesthetics, Cabinet Making, Carpentry, Heavy Equipment Service, and more.

UCDSB schools represented included Athens District High School, Brockville Collegiate Institute, Carleton Place High School, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School, Glengarry District High School, Perth & District Collegiate Institute, Rideau District High School, Russell High School, Seaway District High School, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, St. Lawrence Secondary School, Tagwi Secondary School, Thousand Islands Secondary School, and Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute.

UCDSB results from the Skills Ontario Competition are as follows:

Intermediate:

GOLD – LEGO Mechanical Engineering (Team of Four): Leah Brown, Rowan Bruyere, Emilia Halfpenny, and Rubie Lynn, Rideau District High School

Secondary:

GOLD – Heavy Equipment Service: Skyler MacDonald, Glengarry District High School
GOLD – Individual Carpentry: Cohen Williams, Glengarry District High School (advancing to National Competition in Regina on May 29-30, 2025)
SILVER – Cabinet Making: Liam Ladouceur, Glengarry District High School
SILVER – CNC Woodworking: Eleni Fourkiotis, St. Lawrence Secondary School

SOURCE:Upper Canada District School Boards