Crocus Plains team brings home 8 gold medals

Eight students from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School are heading to Toronto next month to represent Manitoba at the Skills Canada national competition.

The students will join more than 500 competitors from all parts of the country to participate in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions May 28 and 29.

All eight earned gold medals by excelling at the Skills Manitoba competition in Winnipeg last Thursday.

The delegation includes Grade 11 students Nia Smith, Kayla DeCosse, Cody Johnson, Parker Martin, Landon Klassen and Avery Maendel, and Grade 12 students Victor Aderemi-Fawoye and Laurie Paquet.

Smith, who competed in architecture design, said her focus heading into the competition was not necessarily on winning.

“I just hoped that I would finish the competition and be proud of what I’d done,” she told the Sun. “Winning gold means I did a good job and that I can hopefully keep improving.”

Smith, who discovered her interest in architecture through a class she took last year, is now considering a future in engineering. While she is excited about nationals, she remains grounded.

“Anything can happen,” she said.

Aderemi-Fawoye, who won gold in public speaking under employment, described the victory as a reflection of growth and experience. Competing in Winnipeg for the third time, he has steadily improved from silver to two gold medals at the provincial level.

“It shows what progress really looks like,” he said. “Experience and the techniques I’ve learned have helped me connect better with my audience.”

Heading to nationals for the second time, Aderemi-Fawoye hopes to climb higher on the podium after earning bronze last year.

For Paquet, a gold medal in mechanical engineering CAD represents perseverance. After finishing just one point shy of gold last year, Paquet returned determined.

“It represents all the time and effort I’ve put into training for engineering,” she said.

Paquet plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Ottawa and hopes to one day work with the Canadian Space Agency.

In baking, DeCosse secured her second consecutive gold medal, building on a journey that began with bronze in Grade 9.

“It’s really special,” she said. “Seeing my improvement over the years shows that if you put the work in, you can get better at something you love.”

Although she did not medal at nationals last year, DeCosse is looking forward to another opportunity to compete next month.

Johnson, who earned gold in the job skill demonstration in his first appearance at the provincial competition, credited preparation for helping him succeed.

“The hard work I put into it was worth it,” he said.

Johnson plans to attend Assiniboine College to pursue a trade, with ambitions of building his own business.

Parker Martin, who won gold in auto body repair, said dedication was key to his success in his first Skills competition.

“When you work really hard for something, and it turns out your way, there’s nothing that compares to it,” he said.

Martin plans to begin an apprenticeship and continue in the trade after high school.

Landon Klassen, competing in outdoor power and recreation, also struck gold in his first provincial appearance.

“It makes me proud of myself,” he said. “I am looking forward to competing with others during the national competition.”

Klassen hopes to pursue a career as a heavy-duty equipment technician after graduation.

With eight students advancing, Crocus Plains will be well represented at nationals, where competitors from across the country will test their skills. For many of these students, the experience is more than medals.

“It is a stepping stone toward future careers and a testament to the value of dedication and hands-on learning,” Aderemi-Fawoye said.

The Crocus Plains team brought home a total of 18 medals from the Skills Manitoba competition last Thursday.

On top of the eight gold medals, the team earned seven silver and three bronze medals.

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