James Cardinal McGuigan (JCM) Catholic High School was honoured to welcome Chair Markus de Domenico during its Italian Heritage Month celebration. On behalf of the staff and students, the school extended heartfelt thanks for his presence and inspiring words, delivered in his role as the Italian Canadian Chair of Ontario’s largest school board.
Chair de Domenico’s visit included a tour of the school’s Transportation Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) facility, where he engaged directly with students and staff. His interest and participation underscored a strong commitment to authentic student learning and the importance of community partnerships in education.
The visit also included a meeting with Mr. Mario Menna of Elite Auto Collision, a dedicated community teacher who generously volunteers his time and expertise to support student learning. Mr. Menna spoke with Chair de Domenico about the critical need for on-the-job training opportunities and the increasing importance of public-private partnerships—especially given the financial realities of maintaining industry-standard training facilities. Thanks to the support of partners like Elite Auto Collision and individuals like Mr. Menna, students at McGuigan are thriving in their hands-on learning experiences.
A highlight of the visit was when Chair de Domenico allowed students to detail his vehicle, a gesture that was deeply appreciated. His feedback was a powerful moment for the students:
“Mario, what a wonderful job your students did. I had the car detailed a year ago and spent a lot of money on it. Your students, by far, detailed the car better than the so-called professionals.”
This recognition not only validated the students’ hard work but also boosted their confidence and affirmed the real-world value of the skills they are developing.
James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School thanks Chair de Domenico for his continued leadership and support of youth and their futures in the skilled trades. The school looks forward to further collaboration with him and the Board.
