Kitchener - At the 20th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), held in Waterloo on May 4-5, Conestoga College enjoyed outstanding success as 19 students earned post-secondary level medals for their knowledge and applied skills in a variety of competition categories. The OTSC is the province’s premier showcase of the best and brightest technical students in Ontario - from secondary schools, colleges and apprenticeship training. In its two-day run this year, the OTSC involved more than 1,600 entrants in more than 60 competitions, and attracted nearly 30,000 visitors.

Conestoga’s 2009 performance was the best of any Ontario post-secondary college or institute, resulting in Conestoga receiving the first-ever College Award of Distinction. This award goes annually to the outstanding college or institute at the OTSC.

In 18 years of OTSC involvement, Conestoga students have now succeeded in winning a grand total of 195 medals. This year’s result consists of six gold, three silver and ten bronze medals. No other Ontario college or institute earned more than eleven at the 2009 OTSC. In addition, Conestoga graphic design student Sarah Boergers won a special honour for her design of the event’s commemorative lapel pin.

The gold-medal winners qualify to be part of Team Ontario at the Skills Canada national competition, which takes place May 20-23 in Prince Edward Island.

Conestoga’s winners are as follows:

From the School of Engineering and Information Technology . . .

- Samuel Bunting won the gold medal in the architectural technology and design competition;

- Ben Middleton won gold in cabinetmaking;

- Timothy Patrick won gold in website development;

- Derek Allen won silver in heating systems technician;

- Michael Clayton won silver in electronics;

- Brent Dietrich and Bob Hollett won bronze in mechatronics;

- Cory Goerzen won bronze in electronics and

- Cordell Sacrey won bronze in architectural technology and design.

From the School of Trades and Apprenticeship . . .

- Cody Konya won the gold medal in the truck and coach mechanic competition;

- Erik Rayoff won gold in computer numerical control machining;

- Lori Martin won silver in brick masonry;

- Neil Aitken won bronze in industrial mechanic millwright;

- Danny Cinarlili won bronze in precision machining;

- Israel Lacombe won bronze in welding and

- Lyndon Vail won bronze in plumbing.

From the School of Business and Hospitality . . .

- Tessie Bloudin won the gold medal in the information technology office software application competition;

- Krista Shortreed won bronze in information technology office software application and

- Stephen Szostak won bronze in restaurant service.

Skills Canada is a voluntary association of educators, business and industrial leaders, and government representatives which aims to promote the value and importance of technical careers and education to young Canadians.