A handful of very skillful students from Edward Milne community school (EMCS) went home with awards and scholarships in early May at the District’s Education Committee of the Whole (ECOW) meeting.
The talented trades students have competed in the Skills Canada competitions regionally, provincially and soon nationally, showing off their techniques against thousands of other students. SD62 Board of Education trustees, along with Sooke Mayor Maja Tait recognized the students at Tuesday’s event while EMCS Culinary Arts students prepped and served up a fantastic dinner for the 46 attendees.
With coaching and guidance provided by EMCS technology teachers, Joel Evans and Trevor Royle, the eight SD62 students had a blast competing at the provincial level and placed well with Kevin Royle taking the silver medal in the Sumobot competition and Jake Schuttinga winning the gold medal in the joinery competition! Jake’s first place sends him off to compete against the best at the national competition in Saskatoon May 27- 30.
To get Shuttinga to the Nationals, the school and community have quickly rallied to cover the trip costs with donations from Home Hardware, Road’s End Contracting, West Wind Hardwoods and Slegg Lumber.
To top off the ceremony and to promote the construction trades among the Island’s youth, the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) awarded two $500 tuition scholarships to SD62 students. EMCS graduate Maarten Long won the Electrical Scholarship and Hannah Leslie won the Women in Construction Scholarship.