For two Grade 10 students who had never been at the competition before, a gold and silver medal are impressive results from the Skills Canada Alberta regional competition.
Cole Huppertz and Joe Borris took first and second place respectively in the carpentry category, besting 14 other students who all had previous competition experience.
“We were both first years, and we were the only first years,” Huppertz said. “I didn’t expect to win, or even place for that matter. There were quite a few great competitors there.”
The two R.F. Staples School students were joined by 15 of their schoolmates competing in a variety of trades-related categories at the April 12 competition in Edmonton.
Huppertz and Borris will advance to provincials with their podium finishes.
They’ll be joined by Chris Taylor and Jesse Jadischke, whose fourth-place finishes in cabinet making and auto mechanics earned provincial berths as well.
Kevin MacKenzie, the teacher who organizes the school’s participation in the competition and teaches the woodworking class, said while he knew the students were capable of advancing he also recognized there was some stiff competition.
“When we first got there, I recognized six returning competitors,” he said. “We knew they would be in tough for sure.”
That said, he was by no means surprised with the first- and second-place finishes.
“They both have natural talent; they listen and learn very well,” he said. “It’s nice to see them be rewarded for all the work they put into it.”
Huppertz and Borris said the only difference in scoring between their two projects — they each had to build a miniature picnic table — was that they both lost points in the safety category.
“We both come from farms,” Huppertz said with a laugh. “We just kind of do what we want.”
Growing up on farms has had a positive impact on both Huppertz and Borris, as there’s so much hands-on work to be done. Borris also has lots of experience in the construction trades from summer jobs.
“I’ve also worked for Gilmars Contracting for two summers already, so I’ve had my fair share,” Borris said.
That’s not to say the project didn’t come with challenges.
“It was the math, since I didn’t do too well in my math courses, but I stuck it out and did good,” he said.
Borris did so well, in fact, that he had extra time to turn some of his wood scraps into a birdhouse.
Both aspiring carpenters know the provincial skills competition, which will take place May 14-15 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, will be a big challenge.
“It’ll be very tough. This is the best in the province, so it’s definitely going to be interesting.” Huppertz said. “But we made it this far.”
Borris is a bit more optimistic, and is already tentatively planning victories at provincials and nationals to earn a spot at the world competition.
“We’re going to Worlds. I want to go to Tokyo or somewhere fancy,” he said. “The farm’s good and everything, but you don’t get out much.”
