Ecole H.J. Cody High School student Travis Lorenz will be advancing to Skills Canada Provincials after coming in second at Regionals.
At the event, students competed in 45 different trade and technology areas, demonstrating the skills they had learned.
Lorenz and fellow H.J. Cody student Kaede Thompson both competed in construction against eight other students.
For Lorenz, who participated last year, some of the changes to the event this year were appreciated.
“I liked it a lot this year because the judges brought us aside after and actually told us what we did wrong,” he said.
This year the students participating at regionals in construction had to build a bench in five and a half hours.
“A bench is a good challenging project and it is the same project that I do with my Grade 11s,” shop teacher Randy Prediger said.
“At the competition, three students didn’t finish the project in the allotted time. These are all great kids who are at the top of their class but it all comes down to being able to manage time properly.”
This year, Lorenz is ready for provincials.
“In provincials, we will be building a gazebo and the plans are the same as last year,” he said.
For students the opportunity to participate in an event like this is important, Prediger said.
“Whether it’s just a hobby for the student participating or not, it is something they will always have in their back pocket.”
The school is very proud of how Lorenz and Thompson represented as Lakers, Principal Alex Lambert added.
“Their citizenship is absolutely model and we are very proud of them.”
For Prediger, Lorenz is a generational student.
“In 20 years, I have never had a student like him, but all the students I have, have the potential,” Prediger said.
Skills Canada Provincials will be taking place in Edmonton on May 8 and 9.