May 8, 2016
1714
Kincardine District Secondary School student Declan Mowle (above) captured gold in the small-powered equipment division, at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, May 3, and now advances to the national competition in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Following a second-place finish April 16 at the qualifiers in Barrie, Declan returned to the provincial competition for the second time in two years. He was required to write a theory test, diagnose faults in both two- and four-stroke motors, and test some electrical circuit challenges.
He was aiming for an improved standing after last year’s fifth-place finish, and is to be congratulated for placing first this year. He moves on to the national competition in Moncton, where he will compete against finalists from across Canada.
Declan’s success is a product of his unceasing obsession with small-motor mechanics, and his fabrication of motor-powered carts and bikes. He can be found working in the KDSS shop during every lunch period, and working in his home shop during every spare waking hour. He is also a regular at the Kincardine Cruise Night events where he usually parks his cart beside his father’s vintage car. He is the son of Joan and Kevin Mowle of Kincardine. Good luck at nationals, Declan!
Joining Declan at the Ontario Skills competition, held at RIM Park in Waterloo, were Brady Masur and Kirsten Walden.
Kirsten competed as the first KDSS student to ever challenge the baking category at the provincial competition. She was required to select ingredients and bake, frost and ice a cake, prepare a lemon meringue pie, bake a loaf of bread, and prepare several other types of pastries.
By 4 p.m., the competition site was intoxicating with the scents of fresh-baked goods, and the finished products were displayed tantalizingly close to the viewing gallery. Kirsten finished outside the medals, but is to be commended for a fine effort and quality results which were, no doubt, appreciated by the event judges!
Kirsten Walden competes in the baking division at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition; photos courtesy of Bryan Derksen, Greg Shipp and Michelle McIver
Kirsten is a passionate baker in her home kitchen, and has a small business preparing food goods for friends and family. Her efforts can also be sampled at Ripley Variety. She completed a co-operative education placement at Vintage Café and Bakery in Mildmay, and is currently in a co-op placement with Tramonto in Kincardine. She is also completing her Level 1 Cook course through Georgian College. She is the daughter of Brock and Mary Rose Walden of Ripley. Well done, Kirsten!
Following a first- place finish April 16 at the qualifiers in Barrie, Brady (L) competed as the first KDSS student to ever challenge the carpentry-individual category. He was required to consult plans and drawings, then construct a scale-model dog house using conventional framing methods. The dust began to fly at 8 a.m. and when it settled at 4:30 p.m., a completed project was to be found.
Brady finished outside the medals, but is to be commended for a fine effort and a quality product which will, no doubt, be appreciated most by the family dog! Brady has taken several woodwork and carpentry courses at KDSS, and is a hobby woodworker in his home shop. He is the son of Greg and Kim Masur of Kincardine. Well done, Brady!
Related Stories
No related stories.