Estevan Comprehensive School was well represented at the National Skills Competition last weekend in Winnipeg, MB. 

"We had 4 students, Cierra Naka in Hair Styling, Kendra Senchuk in Architectural CAD, Eric Swirski in Mechanical CAD and Austin Smith in Auto-body Repair," explained Joyce Mack, one of the teachers involved in Skills at ECS. 

"We have come home with two medals from Nationals. Kendra Senchuk placed silver in CAD, and Cierra Naka placed silver in Hair styling. And our gentlemen, we are waiting on results. When you are at the closing ceremonies, they only announce the three podium positions, and then all other information is released at a later date."

Mack is very proud of all the work put in, not only at the competition, but in order to get there as well.

"Our department and our school in general are very proud of the workmanship and the representation that these students had for ECS."

She adds that it is a long weekend for the students. 

"The competition itself is a two day test instead of a one day test. It's equal to just under 10 hours between the two days of competition. It's high stress, long hours, long time on your feet or long time sitting in a chair if they are in front of a computer. It's mentally stressing and physically stressing. Every time we would get back to the hotel, they were eager to have a relaxation time."

She notes that the students are basically on their own during the competition. 

"Our job is kinda done when we get them there. It's just a support person, getting them to their sites, making sure everybody's calm and prepare them as best as we can. Because once we get them on the competition floor, a lot of the times, some of the areas, we can't talk to them until we pick them up at the end of the competition."

Mack was quick to point out that the benefits of the competition is more than just medals. 

"It definitely prepares them in the industry level. A lot of the schools from the post secondary level are there and in contact with them. A lot of businesses or people who own companies, they have their business cards out. So they're networking, looking at possibilities for their futures. It sets them up for their futures so when they choose that trade, they're actually a little bit more advanced walking into the school."

She was mentioned that the World Competitions next year in Russia could be a possibility for some students. 

"Next year is a qualifying year for Russia so some of our graduates, if they choose to move on into the post-secondary and jump back into competing, they would have an opportunity to try and challenge to make Team Canada and that would be exciting. We have had students from ECS make Team Canada over the years so it's not impossible."

We're very thankful to the parents who stepped forward and came with us on the road to see what's happening and being involved with their children. And all the support we had from our school board and our administration so that we can continue to challenge our students and show them some networking and future positions and opportunities that exist for these students."