Latest news with #GFESS
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Fort Erie students headed to Skills Canada National competition
Two Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS) students are heading to the Skills Canada National competition in Regina, Sask., later this month after capturing gold medals in their respective categories at the Skills Ontario competition. Autumn Wartman, a Grade 12 student and kitchen manager at the school's student-run restaurant, The Pomegranate, won gold in the job skill demonstration category with a crêpe-making tutorial. It's her second year competing after winning bronze at the national level last year. 'This year, I was excited and not scared,' she said. 'I just knew that last year I had so much fun getting to go to a different province (to compete) for a week.' Angel Blackwood, also in Grade 12, took gold in the prepared speech category. Her oration focused on a lack of representation in cosmetology curriculum, specifically the absence of instruction on textured hair. 'Winning wouldn't just mean getting a medal, it would mean showing that this experience is something that (I) just faced, but other people also face,' she said. 'It means (getting) more representation and showing that this is something that needs to be changed.' Both students credit their culinary arts teacher, Afshin Keyvani. Wartman has been working with him weekly after school since her first year competing. 'Every Wednesday after school we practised, which I think is probably the reason why I've been so successful, he's so dedicated.' Wartman discovered her love for baking during the COVID-19 lockdowns and transferred to GFESS in Grade 10 for its culinary program. She said Skills Ontario has helped her grow personally and professionally. 'It's just kind of getting to see how everything pays off,' she said. 'I'm just excited and happy to have done it, and really proud of what I've done.' Blackwood, who moved to Fort Erie from Brampton four years ago, also worked closely with Keyvani to develop her speech and prepare for competition. 'He came up to me in the hallway and was telling me a little bit about the competition and to explore public speaking, to try new things,' she said. 'So I got involved with it and then immediately the cosmetology situation popped into my head.' Her efforts have already helped bring change. When she was in Grade 11, Blackwood began speaking with District School Board of Niagara's equity, diversity and inclusion advisers, who helped bring textured hair tools into cosmetology classrooms. But she said more work is needed. 'It's not just the (tools) being put in the classes,' she said. 'But that the lessons are being taught and tailored toward that hair texture as well.' School principal Jessica Folino said Blackwood's speech has sparked change at the school and beyond. 'She's leaving a legacy behind,' Folino said. 'Her experience was heard (and) we've had students work with instructors from different salons that work with Black hair and textured hair. Her experience has driven a lot of the improvement that we've seen.' Keyvani, who has led students to Skills Canada Nationals several times in his 20-plus years of teaching, said both students represent what these skills competitions are about. 'They have to do their job, they have to attend the practices, communicate their needs with their teachers, then they're going to be successful in the long run,' he said. 'They're going to learn those transferable skills. (Students) that competed (in) the last 20 years, they're all doing great in life. They're chefs, they're teachers, they're in positions of authority.' Blackwood is considering a career in veterinary science, but plans to keep cosmetology in her life. 'Mainly, I want to become a veterinarian, but I do want to work with hair still and learn more about it. My auntie does hair as well,' she said. Wartman is headed to Niagara College in the fall for its baking and pastry arts program. She said competing has helped shape her future. 'Just being able to show off your skills and your interests in a competition opens up so many opportunities, like scholarships, apprenticeships and jobs in the future,' she said. Folino said the entire school is proud of the two students. 'They are wonderful representatives for not only GFESS but for DSBN,' she said. 'They're making us so proud, themselves proud, and their families proud.' The 2025 Skills Canada National Competition runs May 29 and 30 in Regina, where both Blackwood and Wartman will compete as part of Team Ontario.
Hamilton Spectator
06-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Cooking with heart: Fort Erie students help honour Community Living volunteers
Community Living Fort Erie celebrated its volunteers recently with a special dinner cooked up by the students at Pomegranate Restaurant located inside Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS). Held April 30 as part of Community Living Month, the volunteer appreciation night honoured volunteers for their time, commitment and impact on local programs that support individuals with developmental disabilities. The three-course dinner was prepared and served by students under the guidance of culinary teacher, Afshin Keyvani. Community Living board of directors chair Betty Talbot, kicked off the event by thanking the many volunteers who fill roles ranging from e-gaming and administrative work, to leisure buddy programs and fundraising. 'What you do matters more than you know,' she said. 'You may not always see the full ripple effect of your efforts, but let me assure you, you make a big difference.' Margaret Fidler, manager of community development, also took time to honour the short-term and long-term volunteers at the event. 'This kind of teamwork is rare, and it's something I'll always treasure,' Fidler said. 'Your efforts have brought joy to countless families and made a lasting impact on this community, and on me personally.' The evening was planned to celebrate the work of Community Living's volunteers, but also marked the end of an era as the organization bid farewell to Fidler, who is retiring. To close the evening, office administrator Tiyanna Schooley, gave a heartfelt speech to honour Fidler's impact. 'I've been here five months, and what I learned is that this woman seriously, loves, cares and appreciates you guys all so much,' she said. 'She genuinely cares, and I've never seen someone who embodies their career and cares so much about the people she serves.' The dinner, sponsored by Bill Marr of Garrison Automotive Service, was one of many events planned for Community Living Month. On Tuesday, the organization raised its Community Living flag at Fort Erie Town Hall, with Mayor Wayne Redekop in attendance. 'They had a lot of people turn out, it was great,' said Talbot. As plates were cleared and dessert was served, applause filled the room not only for the volunteers, but also for the students that made the dinner possible. Student Harper James said the experience of being part of the culinary program has opened up opportunities she never imagined. 'There's (a lot) of different experiences that I would have never even thought of or known of until I took culinary arts and met a teacher like (Keyvani),' said James, who has participated in the program for three years. James is also involved in Skills Ontario competitions and has been a part of relaunching the school's in-house restaurant, the Pomegranate, which had been dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We started (the Pomegranate) again last year after getting back into everything after COVID,' she said. 'Last year was the first year bringing it back to GFESS.' Keyvani, who teaches culinary arts at the school, said the culinary students are often involved in events that serve the broader community, including local fundraisers, school functions, and special dinners like the Community Living dinner. For students like James and her peers, this event was more than just an after school project, it was a chance to contribute to the community and learn by doing. 'It's kind of cool knowing that there are so many different things I get to experience just because I have a teacher that is so involved,' she said.
