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Comp students head to nationals for Skills Canada

Katrina Pylypow, Miranda Brookwell and Bryce Walls all earned a gold medal last week at the provincial skills level, earning them each a $500 bursary and a spot at nationals this week.

By Jasmine Franklin

Ponoka Composite High School students are gearing up for another round of competitions this week, only this time they are off to Skills Canada nationals in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Katrina Pylypow, Miranda Brookwell and Bryce Walls all earned a gold medal last week at the provincial skills level, earning them each a $500 bursary and a spot at nationals this week. Pylypow competed in job skills, Brookwell in prepared speech and Walls in cabinet making.

This was Walls’ first year competing in the event and if the 17-year-old eanrs gold at nationals he could win $9,000 and would place on the Canadian Skills team.

“I’ll be happy with whatever I get, but I’m hoping to place for sure,” Walls said.

Walls had 11 hours to complete a cabinet and at nationals will have 14 hours to build a piece of furniture. He has gone over the project a few times already to feel confident for the national competition.

Scott Pylypow received bronze in carpentry as well as a safety award; Kiara Kjenner, silver in job interviewing; Colton Weyts, silver in job skills; Jesse Raugust received a safety award; James Fenske, fourth in carpentry and Joel Beavbien came sixth in auto.

Pylypow, Brookwell and Walls have a chance to represent Canada at WorldSkills London 2011.

Skills Canada is a national, non-profit organization that gives youth necessary skills to help them successfully compete in evolving markets. It promotes skilled trades and technologies in Canadian youth.