Centennial College finished at the top of its class at the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition, marking the seventh consecutive year the Toronto-based college earned The College Award of Distinction, recognizing the institution with the highest overall performance calculated from student competitor scores and top-10 finishes in their respective contests.
This year, 88 Centennial students competed in 36 skills contests ranging from aircraft maintenance to web design, and ultimately left the Toronto Congress Centre with 19 medals: eight gold, five silver and six bronze. Five Centennial schools sent competitors, including the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design; School of Community and Health Studies; School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science; the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts; and the School of Transportation.
"As Ontario’s first college, and one committed to excellence in skilled trades and technologies education, Centennial College is proud to see our students show off their talents and win big in the Skills Ontario Competition," said David Weatherhead, Associate Dean, School of Transportation. "Team Centennial’s consistently high ranking in the annual competition would not be possible without the dedicated faculty and staff who support our students and put in the extra effort and time. My heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved!”
Centennial College’s gold medalists are:
- Chang Ho (Kevin) Ahn, 3D Digital Game Art
- Ethan Almeida, Auto Collision Repair
- Shelvin Ram, Auto Painting
- Darren Bergado, Automation and Control
- Justin Ga Hung Wong, Cloud Computing
- Joonhyun An, Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Juliana Tino, Graphic Design
- Maria Angela Esteban Paraiso, IT Office Software Application
All but one of the gold medal winners are eligible to advance to the Skills Canada National Competition, for those whose contests are represented there, taking place on May 29 and 30 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
In addition to the gold medal winners, Centennial’s silver medalists are:
- Rian Christian Galsim, Culinary Arts
- Paolo Reyes, IT Network Systems Administration
- Wade Couller, Refrigeration
- Damilola Oludade and Omid Maadami, Renewable Energies (team)
- Chelsea McDonald, Restaurant Service
Centennial’s bronze medalists are:
- Mirac Akwensivie, Auto Painting
- Minhee Cho, Baking
- Nima Ansari Fard, IT Office Software Application
- Jayasinghe Arachchige D. Sasindu Sudharaka and Johnathan McInerney, Mechatronics (team)
- Yedidya Nathanael and Chau Ciang, Renewable Energies (team)
- Jael Alejandro Morales Alvarez, Restaurant Service
Centennial’s continued success at the annual Skills Ontario competitions is an enduring testimony to the skills and talent of its students, who are taught and coached by dedicated faculty and support staff. Their collective achievement demonstrates how Centennial elevates learners’ self-confidence and personal growth, as well as preparing them for today’s in-demand careers.
Skills Ontario has been delivering programs and events since 1989 with a goal to inspire youth to explore skilled trades and technologies. The annual competition is open to school boards, colleges and private institutions/training agencies.