ST. PAUL – St. Paul Regional High School (SPRHS) earned its first-ever provincial gold medal at the 2023 Secondary Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton on May 4.
Accompanied by three teachers, nine students from SPRHS competed in five trades categories at the two-day provincial multi-trade, and technology competition.
Logan Peters came home with gold in the Carpentry category, while Owen Siemers earned himself silver in the Automobile Technology category. Both are Grade 12 students at the local high school.
Facing off against 19 competitors and winning silver, it was an unexpected result for Siemers. “I was actually really, really, happy about it. It was a good experience,” said Siemers.
Siemers had no prior experience with the trade outside of school, gathering knowledge and skills during his high school years where his interest in mechanics has grown. This interest led him to decide to take on the challenge and opportunity to test his mettle against others at the Skills Canada competitions.
He thanked St. Paul Regional mechanics teacher Paige Skrypichayko for being a mentor.
Gold
For Peters, the story is similar, and he admits he did not expect to win.
“I didn’t quite complete the project,” he explained, while some of his competitors did. When the names of the medallists were being called, he was losing hope for a podium finish.
So, to hear his name being called as the gold medallist, “It’s just shocking.” His project’s quality ultimately won him the competition.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said.
Peters thanked his coach and St. Paul Regional construction and carpentry teacher Hank Smid, as well as his Glen Avon School junior high carpentry teacher Charles Salomon, “who really got me into [carpentry].”
“Those are two people that got the ball rolling for me,” said Peters.
Peters and Siemers are grateful for the opportunity and learning experience. They both plan to pursue their respective trades and related careers in post-secondary education, upon their graduation.
As graduating students, the future is their focus, said Seimers, which involves thinking about what they want to do while utilizing their skill sets.
Peters agreed, adding, “If you like what you do [and] you can turn into employment – that’s even better.”
Nationals
As the gold medallist, Peters will fly to Winnipeg to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition from May 23 to 27.
This is the first time SPRHS has sent a representative to the national Skills competition, said Smid. Speaking as a coach, Smid said he is happy for Peters and credits the Grade 12 student’s “commitment to come to practices after school” every Tuesday and Thursdays since February, preparing for the competition.
“He worked hard,” said Smid, before expressing his pride and excitement for Peters heading to nationals and to compete against those hailed the best from across Canada in his level and category. Smid then thanked those who stepped up to help cover the cost of the trip.
Smid also gave kudos to all the SPRHS students who competed at the Skills Canada regional competition in Lac La Biche in March, as well as the nine students who advanced to the provincials.
“If it was easy, [then] everybody would do it,” said Smid, acknowledging and thanking the students for putting in the extra time to represent their school.
Competing students at provincials
In the Automobile Technology category, Liam Siemers also represented the school, placing fourth in the competition. Meanwhile, Lupita McConvey and Isabella Parsons competed in the Culinary Arts category.
Kammi Feland competed in the Hairstyling Intermediate category, while Lexis St. Arnault and Megan Pashko competed in the Hairstyling Junior category.
Porter Dallaire represented the school in the Welding category.
