Six students from School District 8 will represent the Kootenays at the Skills Canada B.C. provincial competition in Abbotsford on April 15 after earning gold at regional events.
The students qualified at the Skills Canada B.C. Kootenay regional competition held Feb. 27. Advancing to provincials are Makala Burjaw in graphic design, Katrina Matter in photography, Rio West and Sonny Brown in video production, and Flora Jewell and Hazel Johnson in 2-D animation.
In total, 20 SD8 students placed in the top three or earned runner-up finishes across several categories, including 3-D and 2-D animation, photography, graphic design and video production at Selkirk College in Nelson. Additional competitions in trades such as carpentry, cabinetmaking, welding, electrical wiring and hairstyling were held at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook.
Judges praised the effort and technical ability of students from Mount Sentinel Secondary, L.V. Rogers Secondary and Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary School.
“What stood out immediately in this competition was effort. It was evident that every student involved gave this their full attention and energy. Design is not only about talent. It is about commitment to the process, and that commitment was clearly present across the board,” wrote judge Darryl Jolly, program chair in digital arts and new media at Selkirk College.
Jewell, a Grade 11 student at Mount Sentinel Secondary, said she is eager to compete at provincials alongside teammate Hazel Johnson.
“Skills Canada BC is a really good place to showcase our ability to work in a faster-paced, more work-like environment than school usually provides. It’s a cool way to show how we solve problems and use our creative minds. Winning regionals showed me how much I’ve developed my time-management skills and my ability to think on the fly.”
Students said strong digital arts programs and access to industry-standard tools have helped them prepare for competition.
“At Mount Sentinel, [teachers] expect the best from students and know how to help bring that out in us,” said Jewell.
Teacher Danny Leeming credited both students and staff for the strong results, noting participation from Grades 8 through 12 across three schools.
“I’m blown away that SD8 students earned gold and silver medals in every event this year and that we saw excellent representation from grades 8 through 12 and in all three schools that competed,” he said.
District principal Tamara Malloff said the competition highlights the value of hands-on learning and partnerships with post-secondary institutions.
“I am incredibly proud of the students who represented our district. Their creativity, talent, and confidence are inspiring. Competitions like this show how career-connected learning and post-secondary partnerships with Selkirk College and College of the Rockies help students discover their strengths and imagine what’s possible beyond graduation.”
Skills Canada BC Kootenay Region Competition Results – 3D & 2D Animation, Photography, Graphic Design & Video Production (Secondary)
Video Production (Secondary)
Gold: Rio West and Sonny Brown — MSS
Silver: Lilli Perriere-Ellis and Ethan Ash — MSS
Bronze: Riin Durand and Jaxon Morris — MSS
Runner-up: Marcus Cameron and Logan Sol — CBESS
Photography (Secondary)
Gold: Katrina Matter — MSS
Silver: Isaac Chisham— MSS
Bronze: Jayde Gingras and Jakob Hadikin (tie) — MSS
Graphic Design (Secondary)
Gold: Makala Burjaw — MSS
Silver: Lola Chevalier — MSS
Bronze: Rihanna Dagsil — LVR
2D Animation (Secondary)
Gold: Flora Jewell and Hazel Johnson — MSS
Silver: Maddie Hardy and Tyler Meylove — MSS
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