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Armed with just a video camâ€" era and a CD player, three Oakville teens headed for the United States Skills Olympics in Kansas City, Missouri recently, and walked away with a gold medal, defeating 17 American teams to do so. By KATHY YANCHUS Oakville Beaver Staff United States Skills Olympics gold medal winners, from left to right, Jodi Burton, Jason Leaver and Donovan Boden. Their area of expertise was Communications Technology, more specifically TV Production, and their trip to the podium was the third in as many competitions. The trio of T.A. Blakelock High School students previously won their category at the regional and provincial level (There was no national Communications Skilled students bring home the gold Technology category). The U.S. competition is an extension of the Skills Canada Olympics held in May at Copps Coliseum, which will be followed by the International Skills Olympics in Lyons, France next September. The events are designed to proâ€" mote technical trades. Grade 12 students Jodi Burton and Donovan Boden and Grade 10 student Jason Leaver were origiâ€" nally teamed up by teacher Ed Stavnitzki for their pooled organiâ€" zational, scriptwriting, editing and computer skills. The solid partnership held them in good stead when they were given their assignment in Kansas City â€" to prepare a 30â€"second news format feature on VICA‘s (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) Best Preparing for Success. With music from the film Sneakers in hand, they wrote the script, tilmed their fellow competitors as visual content, executed the voiceover, then edited the package. Although no judges addressed comments directly to them when they were avrarded the gold, the students know they were judged The White Oaks Jazz Ensemble from White Oaks Secondary School was awarded Silver honors at the recent Music Fest ©94, a national showâ€" case of almost 9,000 young musicians. As well as the group award, student Michael Johnston (alto sax) also picked up an Honor Award. hand, they wrote the script, tilmed their fellow competitors as visual content, executed the voiceover, then edited the package. Although no judges addressed comments directly to them when they were awarded the gold, the students know they were judged They admit the event was stressful, but all agreed it was "a lot of fun." Two of the three hope to wind up in the field, Donovan in film directing and Jason in speâ€" cial effects, with Jodi torn between child psychology and TV reporting. Jazz ensemble takes silver [ar $119] |5ft $129] | 7 $144] | 8 ft $154| ( SPACE AGE SHELVING ) Bring in your measurements and we will design and cut your custom shelving in minutes while you wait. All hardware, screws and plugs are included in the price. Can be installed in 30 minutes. 466 Speers Rd. [Just West of Dorval) south side Serving Oakville for over 10 years, your storage store professionals. Courteous friendly service. We will not knowingly be undersold. RESIDENTIAL +« COMMERCIAL â€" INDUSTRIAL on creativity, overall presentation and quality of production and editing. system. Included, 4 baskets each 18"W x 21"D x 7"H Based on a 6 ft. closet, basket (Photo by Riziero Vertolli)