Students from Yorkton Regional High School have again done well at the Provincial Skills Competition.
While COVID-19 turned the competition into an online affair the local students still excelled.
Among the top finishers were;
· Mya Lauer earned three gold medals in Hairstyling; Braiding, Grad Ready Long Hair Style, and Quarantine Short Hair Style. Lauer is a Grade 12 student and a veteran as a skills competitor as a past gold medalist. She challenged herself in three new hair categories in this virtual competition. All included creating video tutorials and completed finished looks.
· Kaybrie Lutz Gold in Beauty Therapy - Lutz is a Grade 11 student and it is her first time competing in a Skills Category. She won Gold in Beauty Therapy which included performing three procedures: Competitors had to create a video tutorial on how to perform a complete personal manicure and a personal pedicure. As well, they had to use their makeup artistry skills to create pop-art makeup on themselves, and submit a photo collage of their work.
“I was really thankful for the opportunity, it was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity in high school,” Lutz said of taking part in the provincial competition.
As for her key to success, Lutz said it came down to maintaining a positive attitude.
“I think it was just being confidence with myself,” she said, adding from there she tried to let her mind be creative and to follow through with that creativity.
· Colby Kirsch Gold in Photography - This was his second year competing in photography. He won a silver medal when in Grade 11.
Chad McDowell Chair of the Provincial Technical Committee for photography has taught photography at YRHS since 2009-2010. He said Kirsch is one of those students who looks at the world just a bit differently when he goes to photograph it. That is a key for the long-time instructor.
“Usually when a student is in Grade 10, I can pick out the ones that will do well at skills competition ... they see things a little bit differently,” he said.
· Burke Sebastian Gold in Automotive Technology. Sebastian is a Grade 12 student. He has received 500 hours of mechanics instruction and shop work time at YRHS. Burke scored a mark of 93 per cent which placed him in first place earning him the Gold medal.
“In mechanics Burke has a natural ability to fix or figure out mechanical problems, he is very good at putting together engines and working on mechanical and electrical problems. Burke is a hard worker and has demonstrated good work habits both in the shop and the classroom. Burke is always willing to go the extra mile to see that a project or job is completed and that the work is done correctly,” stated instructor Don Tkachuk. Tkachuk's students have won six consecutive provincial gold medals in Automotive Technology.
· Isabelle Easton Silver in Public Speaking
· Mya Lauer Silver in Beauty Therapy
Jaylin Ross just missed the podium with a fourth place finish in Job Search.
Top competitors at the provincial level were to move on to nationals in Vancouver, but those were cancelled due to COVID-19.
