From baking to fashion tech, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) students are bringing their best to the Skills Alberta Provincial Competition in Edmonton on May 7 and 8. The event highlights emerging talent in trades and technologies—and for many EIPS students, it’s a chance to prove what they’ve worked hard to master.
Allyson Huculak, a Grade 10 student at Vegreville Composite High, is one of several competitors representing the Division. After winning first place in Culinary Arts at the Lakeland regional event, she’s now aiming for provincial gold. “Being selected to take part in Skills is a huge accomplishment in my life,” Huculak says. “I’ve grown not only in my cooking skills, but as a person too.”
Huculak also earned top honours at the High School Culinary Challenge alongside teammates Aeryn Blair and Sandra Conner. While she doesn’t plan to pursue a culinary career, she says the experience has deepened her appreciation for the craft—and the family legacy behind it. “My cooking skills come from a long generation of female caterers that I’m proud to be a part of.”
EIPS has students competing across several disciplines, including:
• Baking: Avery Stasuik, Grade 12, Salisbury Composite High
• Culinary Arts—Junior: James Lowes, Grade 9, Vegreville Composite High
• Culinary Arts—Senior: Allyson Huculak, Grade 10, Vegreville Composite High; Andrew Kalvin, Grade 12, Bev Facey Community High; Gavin Friedenberg, Grade 12, Salisbury Composite High
• Fashion Technology: Kayla Klita, Grade 10, Salisbury Composite High
• Workplace Safety: Aly Waldo, Grade 10, Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary; Layne Lowes, Grade 12, Vegreville Composite High
Students earned their spots through regional competitions or were selected by their schools in skill areas not offered locally.
Kristin Sawchuk, Supervisor of Career Pathways at EIPS, says the competition is about more than just medals. “It’s another year to celebrate the self-discovery, passion and commitment of students across the Division. These events showcase just how far talent and dedication can take them.”
Provincial gold medalists will move on to represent Team Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition later this year.
Held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, the competition is free and open to the public. EIPS students will also take part in Skills City and the Girls Exploring Trades and Technologies initiative.
For more information, visit the Skills Alberta website.
