Students from the SVRSS have once again shown their merit and were rewarded with some hardware at the Skills Manitoba competition, held on April 10 in Winnipeg. Ten students participated, with four of them making it onto the podium, including the SVRSS’s first ever gold medal in the Carpentry Secondary category. Grade 11 student Spencer Burghart got the first place finish in his category, which will qualify him to participate in the Skills Canada competition, which is scheduled to take place from May 29-30 in Regina, Sask.. “I also won gold at Northern Manitoba Skills and prepared for two weeks prior to provincial Skills Manitoba,” said Burghart. “I was really proud of myself for achieving gold in provincials and am very excited about national Skills Canada and competing for Team Manitoba.”
Burghart’s task was to build an arbour, displaying his skill with precise cuts and measurements. Three bronze medals were also won, with the third place being won by Arden Baskier in Workplace Safety Secondary, Sam Cooke in Graphic Design Technology Secondary and Egan Finlay in Electrical Installations Secondary. “I feel the students did really well,” said Peter Fleming, one of the SVRSS teachers who coached the Skills students. “Even if they didn’t make the podium, they took the initiative, worked hard and took that extra chance to capitalize on the opportunity to make themselves better. It looks good on a resume and you can get out and network with people. “This isn’t only about winning a medal. This is about improving yourself and expanding your horizons. That’s why we do it.”