This year, OCSB students proudly represented their schools at the Skills Ontario Competition, held at the Toronto Congress Centre. This thrilling event gathered Ontario’s brightest young talents, each competing for top honours in their field. Even before stepping onto the competition floor in Toronto, OCSB students had already showcased their resilience, expertise, and dedication through qualifying contests that highlighted their incredible abilities.
Inspiring Future Leaders in Skilled Trades and Technologies
From automotive service to animation, OCSB students displayed an inspiring passion for learning and excellence:
- St. Peter High School: Creative students like Ricardo Atalla and Fernando Castro Soares excelled in 3D Animation, winning gold and advancing to the Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec City. Their talents extended to Graphic Design and Fashion, where Miranda Dias earned bronze in Graphic Design Studio Production.
- Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School: Sarah Linn shone brightly in Aesthetics, winning gold for her outstanding skills in skincare, makeup, and nail techniques—a true reflection of her creativity and artistry.
- Holy Trinity Catholic High School: Luca Dennison earned a bronze medal in Automotive Service, proving his technical expertise and ability to tackle complex challenges with finesse.
- Sacred Heart Catholic High School: A team of four—Emma Vanasse, Ava Harris, Jacob Pierunuiek, and Ashley Fowler—spent 12 weeks in dedicated training to master skills from blueprint reading to roofing. Their commitment paid off as they successfully completed their test piece in the Home Building Competition.
- St. Francis Xavier High School: Grade 10 student Camden Grant impressed judges in Hairstyling, showcasing advanced techniques in updos, textured designs, and precision cuts. The experience inspired Camden so much he’s already preparing for next year!
- St. Michael School, Fitzroy Harbour: Middle school students embraced the Construction Challenge, channelling creativity and teamwork to build an impressive structure.
- St. Patrick’s High School: In categories ranging from Prepared Speech to Floristry, St. Patrick’s students demonstrated poise and professionalism. Sophia Dela-Rosa won gold in Floristry and filled her school community with pride.
- St. Paul High School: Students like Ayudo Awaj and Liam Carpenter competed in TV & Video, Photography, and Hairstyling, exhibiting adaptability and collaborative problem-solving.
National Success at Skills Canada
At the national level, Ricardo and Fernando took home the title of national champions in 3D Animation, representing St. Peter High School and the OCSB with unmatched skill and creativity. Tasked with developing a character and story under tight time constraints—along with unexpected elements like a “zig-zag” movement and a baseball bat—they produced an outstanding animation, Bats & Bones, in just 12 hours. Their work left judges in awe, as they completed in hours what would typically take a professional studio days.
Guided by the support of their teacher Martin Deschambault, Principal Linda Meulenbroek, and Guidance Counsellor Michelle Lydon, Fernando and Ricardo’s victory became a celebrated milestone for the entire OCSB community.
Forging Futures Through Skill and Dedication
For every OCSB student who competed, the Skills Ontario and Skills Canada experiences were about more than technical achievement—they were journeys of growth, creativity, and self-discovery. Each competition shapes their path in skilled trades and technologies, and the OCSB is honoured to support them on their inspiring journey to success.