DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA
DSBN Earns Top Honours at 2025 Skills Ontario Competition

District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) is celebrating an incredible showing at the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition, held May 5 and 6 in Toronto. Success was achieved at every level - students, staff and board.

DSBN students brought home 12 medals across a wide range of skilled trades and technology events, with the top-ranking secondary student receiving an Award of Excellence. A dedicated staff member was also honoured with the Dick Hopkins Award for outstanding mentorship, highlighting the vital role of educators in student success. Rounding out the accomplishments, DSBN was awarded the School Board Award of Distinction in recognition of its continued commitment to skilled trades education.

Student Achievements at Skills Ontario

This year, 55 talented DSBN secondary school students competed in 33 different events at the Skills Ontario Competition, including robotics, landscape design, carpentry, floristry, baking, graphic design, machining and more. Their exceptional performance earned 12 medals - 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 1 Bronze.

Gold Medal Winners

• Job Skill Demonstration: Autumn Wartman, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
• Prepared Speech: Angel Blackwood, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
• Web Design and Development: Cole Tresham, Welland Centennial Secondary School
• Precision Machining: Kael Watson, West Niagara Secondary School
• Floristry: Lorien Samson, E.L. Crossley Secondary School
• Landscape Design: Alexis Konkle, A.N. Myer Secondary School

Three Gold Medal Winners - Angel Blackwood (Prepared Speech), Cole Tresham (Web Design and Development) and Autumn Wartman (Job Skill Demonstration) - will represent DSBN at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 29 and 30. There, they will join more than 500 of the country's top students and apprentices to compete in Canada's only national, multi-trade and technology competition.

This marks Wartman's second consecutive time representing DSBN at the national competition. Last year she earned a bronze medal, one of 38 medals won by the Ontario team.

Gold medalist Kael Watson (Precision Machining) - a Grade 12 student from West Niagara Secondary School - was also honoured with the Award of Excellence for Top-Ranking Secondary Competitor, achieving the highest score among all high school participants in the competition.

Silver Medal Winners

• Graphic Design Presentation: Emma Fokkens, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
• Outdoor Powered Equipment: Jack Baker, E.L. Crossley Secondary School
• Hairstyling: Ayva Longo, West Niagara Secondary School
• Landscape Design: Maya Benson, Westlane Secondary School
• Carpentry (Individual): Dhillyn Richardson, Port Colborne High School

Bronze Medal Winner

• Carpentry (Individual): Derek Koiter, Welland Centennial Secondary School

"This year's competition was a great showcase of student talent from across the province and an excellent learning experience for everyone involved," said Roy Smith, DSBN Technology and SHSM Consultant. "After months and months of hard work and practice, it was a day for students to shine and they truly rose to the occasion, representing DSBN with skills, confidence and professionalism. I could not be more proud of them and the dedicated staff and mentors whose passion and support helped guide students every step of the way. These results would not have been possible without them!"

Staff Recognition - Dick Hopkins Award

Roy Smith, DSBN Technology and SHSM Consultant, was named the 2025 recipient of the Dick Hopkins Award, presented annually by Skills Ontario and the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE) to an outstanding technology educator. Named in memory of Dick Hopkins, a highly respected teacher and champion of skilled trades, this award celebrates those who embody his same energy, dedication and belief in students' potential.

"Roy's recognition as this year's recipient is a true testament of the profound impact he has made across DSBN and in the lives of the students and staff he serves," said Fred Louws, Associate Superintendent of Student Achievement and Well-Being. "A passionate advocate, Roy has helped countless students explore hands-on learning, gain real-world experience and take confident steps toward their futures beyond high school. His leadership, mentorship and vision continue to strengthen DSBN's technology programs and inspire both students and fellow educators."

School Board Award of Distinction

DSBN also received the highest honour a board can earn at the Skills Ontario Competition, in recognition of its continued leadership in promoting skilled trades and technology education. This award is granted to the school board whose students collectively achieve the highest results, based on top 10 rankings and scores exceeding 60 percent. This marks the third time DSBN has earned this distinction, having previously received it in both 2021 and 2022.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, the excellence of our educators and underscores a deep, system-wide commitment to programs that prepare students for real-world success," said Kelly Pisek, Director of Education. "We are proud to be among the boards leading the way in hands-on learning and it's incredible to see our students excel at the provincial level, representing the future of skilled trades and technologies."

Looking Ahead

"The achievements at Skills Ontario reflect the passion and talent of DSBN students as well as the tireless efforts of staff and mentors. They are also the result of years of purposeful growth in technological education and skilled trades programming," continued Director Pisek. "Through initiatives like Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM), industry-aligned curriculum, and hands-on learning opportunities, DSBN continues to create pathways that allow students to explore their interests, build confidence, and pursue meaningful futures."

These results are a powerful affirmation of the direction DSBN has and will continue to take, demonstrating what is possible when we invest in students' potential and surround them with the support, programs, and opportunities they need to thrive.

As the demand for skilled tradespeople grows across the province, DSBN remains firmly committed to leading the way - building innovative, inclusive programs that prepare students, not just for today's challenges, but for the rewarding, dynamic and in high-demand careers of tomorrow.