During the weeks of April 22- May 7, 2021, a total of 7 WCDSB high school students competed at the Virtual Skills Ontario Competition.

Due to the challenges we have all faced throughout the 2020-21 school year, this group of students faced adversity head on and competed in the first ever Virtual Skills Ontario Competition. Students practiced and competed from their homes, with emails of advice flooding their inboxes and video calls with their Mentors.

The WCDSB’s 7 students competed in the following categories:

2D Animation Joree Da Silva & Perry Yenika St. Mary’s
IT Office Software Applications Manda Ilic St. Mary’s
Job Interview Melissa Valad St. David
Job Skill Demonstration Sabrina Bumbacco St. Benedict
Prepared Speech Tolu Akinyemi St. Benedict
Prepared Speech Alicia Tonleu Jemetio Resurrection

During the Virtual Closing Ceremonies, held on Thursday May 13, the WCDSB competitors eagerly sat at their computers and awaited their results. Three students brought home some hardware!

Please congratulate:

Tolu Akinyemi, St. Benedict C.S.S. – GOLD Medalist – Prepared Speech

Sabrina Bumbacco, St. Benedict C.S.S. – SILVER Medalist – Job Skill Demo

Manda Ilic, St. Mary’s High School – BRONZE Medalist – IT Office Software Applications

All competitors put in their best efforts and made the WCDSB community proud! For a full list of results visit: http://www.skillsontario.com/competitions/secondary

On Wednesday May 26, Tolu Akinyemi represented not only the WCDSB, but Ontario, as she competed in the Skills Canada National Virtual Competition. Tolu was tasked with delivering both an impromptu speech, and a prepared speech throughout the competition day. The 2021 Skills Canada Virtual Competition Showcase and closing ceremonies will take place on June 15, 2021. Registration is FREE and all are welcome to attend. Register here: https://scvnc.vfairs.ca/

Congratulations to all students who competed at the Skills Ontario Virtual Competition and thank you to all the teachers and mentors who supported them along the way!

Solange Saraiva – Experiential Learning Officer

Leonard Bumbacco– Experiential Learning Consultant/OYAP Coordinator