Latest news with #GreaterFortErieSecondarySchool
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Still in disbelief': Fort Erie student brings home gold medal from national skills competition
A Greater Fort Erie Secondary School student has earned national recognition for her culinary skills, flipping her way to gold at one of Canada's most recognized skills competitions. Autumn Wartman, a Grade 12 culinary student at GFESS, won first place in the job skills demonstration category at the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Sask., with a polished and practised crepe-making demonstration. Wartman — who serves as kitchen manager at The Pomegranate, the school's student-run restaurant — has spent the past year refining her demonstration as part of her training in the school's culinary arts program. 'I feel absolutely amazing. Even though it has been a few days since I won (the) national gold medal, I'm still in disbelief,' she said. 'I have worked for this competition for over two years. It feels so rewarding to see how my hard work, my commitment to the process has paid off.' It was Wartman's second year competing nationally, last year earning a bronze medal in the same category. Behind her success is a consistent training routine. From September through May, Wartman practised her demonstration every other week under the guidance of her culinary teacher, Afshin Keyvani. She also leaned heavily on family and friends for support and feedback. 'They have watched my demonstration dozens of times, providing me with constructive criticism and supporting me every step of the way,' she said. 'My teacher Mr. Keyvani, my family and my friends have been incredible throughout this experience.' Keyvani, who has taught with the District School Board of Niagara for more than two decades, said Wartman's victory reflects both her personal dedication and the strength of the school's skills programs. 'My students have dominated in this particular challenge in the last three years,' Keyvani said. '(They've) won gold in the last three years at (Skills Ontario).' Wartman's win was also the only medal brought back to Niagara from this year's national competition, where hundreds of students from across the country competed in skilled trades and technology categories. Wartman plans to continue her passion for pastry at Niagara College this fall. She said her experience with Skills Canada has helped shape not only her skills, but her confidence in her future career. 'Looking back at these past (few) months, I am very proud of how far I have come,' she said. 'This experience has changed my life.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
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.
