Four Howe Sound Secondary School (HSSS) students proved their skills with wood at the Regional Skills Canada Competition in Cabinet Making event on March 14.
The event, which took place at HSSS, saw four local students compete against one another with a limited amount of time and resources to complete the cabinet project. Each student was given five hours to finish the project, which was judged by Cam Cairns from Garibaldi Woodworks and Nathan Webb from Finishing Webb Woodworks.
Students were evaluated on the fit and finish, accuracy, housekeeping, safety and degree of completion adding up to a total of 150 points.
Grade 10 student Jack Hunt took home the top prize, but only 1.5 points separated Hunt and Grade 10 student Mitchell McArthur. Emily Cadman, also a Grade 10 student, placed third, with Thomas Driscoll placing fourth.
"It was such a positive experience for all the participants given that I value the opportunity for the kids to experience working under pressure," said teacher Vicki Schenk. "The whole competition provides the opportunity for the students to build a project within a fixed timeframe, all while being closely watched and evaluated. I tell my students that it's just practice for the future when they may find themselves working in a similar situation with a tight deadline and a 'boss' looking over their shoulder."
With the first place showing, Hunt will now compete at the Provincial cabinet making competition in Abbotsford on April 17. Theo Weber, another student from HSSS, will also be heading to Abbotsford to compete in the carpentry competition.
For more information on the provincial event, visit www.skillscanada.bc.ca.
