WEYBURN – Four students from the Weyburn Comprehensive School are taking part in a national Skills Canada competition in Quebec City, Que., as part of the Sask Skills team, but none of their teachers will be accompanying them, due to “funding restraints”.
Camryn Greve and her mom Trisha flew out on Tuesday for Quebec City, Quebec to compete in Skills Canada on the Sask Skills team.
She will be competing in the secondary IT office software applications category. Last year Camryn competed in the 2023 Sask Skills competition and won a silver medal.
The other three students in different categories are Sy Boquida, Andrew Bratrud and Nigel Zagada.
Zagada will be competing in the mechanical engineering CAD competition; Boquida is in the baking competition; and Bratrud is in Architectural Technology and Design.
Greve noted she was introduced to IT office software in her Information Processing and Accounting classes at the Comp by teacher Margot Arnold.
“After encouragement from my teacher, I decided to look into participating in Skills Canada SK. I found I really enjoyed learning more about the trade, and how it can be useful in everyday life,” she said, adding that Mrs. Arnold has been her biggest inspiration.
“Knowing she believes in me motivated me to go beyond my comfort zone, which led me to Skills Canada. I am so grateful for her and her continued support,” Greve added. “The thought of competing in an atmosphere such as SCNC is really exciting. I am looking forward to travelling to a new province and meeting my teammates.”
This year, due to sanctions, the 2024 Sask Skills competition was cancelled. All students who were registered were allowed the opportunity to apply to be on the Sask Skills Team.
Each area had to show proof of the skill sets needed in their category, and then the Sask Skills Technical Committee reviewed the applications to determine eligibility of applicants.
The Opening Ceremonies will be held today, May 29, and then the competitors compete on Thursday and Friday. The Closing Ceremonies and Award Ceremonies are on Saturday.
The three WCS teachers wanted to accompany their competitors, including Margot Arnold, Colton Lund, and Rebecca Olson, but “unfortunately due to funding restraints, the option of accompanying wasn’t viable.”
“Myself, Colton, Rebecca wish our students very best of luck competing at Nationals,” said Arnold. “You make us, WCS, the city of Weyburn, and Team Sask Skills proud!”
