Humboldt Collegiate Institute was well represented at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan competition on April. 21-22.
The school sent 8 students to compete in different trades based categories, including Fashion Technology where Alyssa Hofmann took home a silver.
Hofmann was convinced in grade 9 by teacher, Barb Hillier, and has gone to the competition every year since earning a gold and two silvers in total. Now she is being taught and encouraged by Yvonne Gueguen.
Jessie Monz has always had an interest in photography and decide to compete.
Samantha Seidle started with the yearbook committee and decided to take her photography to the next level when her sister went to last year’s competition.
Vance Hill was convinced to go in grade 9 and has been involved ever since in the industrial arts.
Developing the technical skills is just one side of the competition. Competitors had to also manage their time while editing their work, said Monz and Seidle. Competitors also have to deal with deadlines, problem solving, and critical thinking.
Hofmann had the pattern for a skirt before the competition but was marked on quality of construction and any creative embellishments that she added. She also got to keep her piece.
Hill had a list of skills that he needed for his project but was not provided any other before hand preparation for his creation.
Brian Hinz says this a totally different avenue that connects students to other interests outside of the well supported sports programs.
“The traders for us is super important. The more we can promote it in our programing in our schools is awesome,” says Hinz.
Dawn Goosen says that they checked out the photography competition years ago and have seen it grown from sending one student to now two students.
Gueguen was a hairdresser before becoming a teacher so teaching a trade like home-ec is a no-brainer for her.
“To allow students in our school to have that opportunity and be involved in it is something that fits so easily with who I am.”
Both Guegen and Hofmann say they’ve connected over their passion for sewing and creating.
“I know (Hofmann) is going to continue to use those skills that she’s developed and to make that connection with students and share that passion with students, it means a lot,” says Gueguen.
For some of the students, after high school is a time to continue the skills they learned.
For Hofmann, she wants to go into interior design. For Seidle, she wants to continue her photography as a hobby, while Monz hopes to become a professional photographer. For Hill, he wants to become a teacher, maybe in the industrial arts.
Guegen says she has enjoyed every hour she’s spent with her students.
In a unanimous sentiment, all four students that sat down with the Humboldt Journal said they are very grateful for the time and care their teachers have given them before and during the competition and wanted to thank them for their hard work and long days.
In response, Goosen says she is looking forward to what the students create in the future while Hinz says this was never a chore for them.
HCI Skills competitors:
Jesse Monz and Smantha Seidle: Photography
Caitlyn Welder: Cooking
Vance Hill and Cole Grace: Carpentry
Shaun Lindal and Max Dale: Video and TV production
Alyssa Hofmann: Fashion Technology
Update: It was originally stated that Yvonne Gueguen encouraged student, Alyssa Hofmann, to go into the Skills Competition in grade 9. It was actually Barb Hillier but now Hofmann is being taught and encouraged by teacher, Yvonne Gueguen.
