College sending 3 champions to Toronto

Three students from Assiniboine College are heading to the national spotlight after capturing gold medals at the recent Skills Manitoba Competition in Winnipeg.

Ashley Pogson, Dennis Ngendakumana and Nicole Mogk will join Team Manitoba at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto on May 28 and 29, following standout performances in their respective categories.

Ngendakumana, a student in the piping trades program, said the gold medal in plumbing came as a surprise.

“I was pretty confident in my skills … but I never expected to win first place,” he told the Sun.

The nine-month program, which runs from September to May, has already given him hands-on experience that he was able to apply in the competition.

“It’s just a demonstration of my skills … how dedicated I am to the trade,” he said. “It’s a reward.”

Ngendakumana admitted the fast-paced competition environment was intense, requiring precision and speed.

“You have to be fast with your measurements and calculations and make sure you don’t make too many mistakes,” he said. “The pressure ultimately helped prove my understanding of the trade.”

As he prepares for nationals, he remains realistic but motivated.

“I’m still technically level one, but I’m pretty confident in my skills. It would be a great accomplishment … just to do well for Manitoba.”

In the creative field, Pogson earned gold in graphic design technology, turning what she described as a familiar classroom experience into a winning performance.

“It was really amazing … We got to do what we do every day in class, basically, but in a timed manner,” she told the Sun.

Pogson entered the competition focused more on the experience than the outcome.

“I was going more for the experience rather than to win,” she said. “I felt pretty confident walking out, but going in, I was just hoping to have a good time.”

Winning gold, however, marked a meaningful milestone in her journey.

“I have lots of sports medals, but I don’t have any sort of award for my artistic skills,” she said. “It’s really nice to have that recognition.”

Now in her second year of the digital art and design program, Pogson says the achievement has boosted her confidence.

“It makes me trust myself a little more in some of my design decisions,” she said.

She is preparing for nationals with support from her instructors and hopes to carry the same mindset to Toronto.

“I want to go in hoping for a good time, and what I come home with is what I come home with.”

The college’s acting dean of trades, Jim DeGraeve, said competitions like Skills Manitoba play a crucial role in preparing students for the workforce.

“Skills Manitoba gives students an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world, competitive environment,” he said. “It builds confidence, sharpens technical skills and connects students directly with industry expectations.”

Mogk, who competed in 3D digital game art, also earned gold and will join her teammates on the national stage.

“It was surprising but really rewarding to see all the preparation and effort pay off,” Mogk said. “I had a great time competing, and it felt good to know the work I put in positioned me for success.”

The program has been great because it offers so many opportunities to explore different areas of art, she said.

“I’ve taken a real interest in 3D, and it’s helped me understand what I want to focus on as my next step after graduating.”

For Ngendakumana and Pogson, the journey to Toronto is not just about medals, but about growth, exposure and testing their abilities at the highest level.

“It’s a great experience,” Ngendakumana said. “Knowing I can go far in my career and demonstrate my skills … I feel really proud about that.”

In total, 21 Assiniboine students competed in the Skills Manitoba Competition, and 15 of them earned gold, silver or bronze medals.

The college will cover the travel and accommodation costs for the three gold medallists when they compete in the nationals next month in Toronto.

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