Students Jordan P. and O’Neil J. from James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School have made history by capturing the gold medal in Video Production at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition, becoming the first school in Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) history to win a national championship in this category.
Held at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, the Skills Canada National Competition brought together more than 500 of the country’s top secondary and post-secondary competitors across over 40 skilled trades and technology events. Widely regarded as Canada’s premier skilled trades and technology competition, the event showcases the nation’s best young talent.
Representing Team Ontario after earning gold at the provincial level, the McGuigan students competed against the top video production teams from across Canada. Their gold-medal performance earned them the title of National Champions in Video Production, marking a historic achievement for both the school and the board.
The victory also marks a significant personal milestone for Mr. Marco Summaria, Department Head of Technology and Skills Canada coach at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School. For the past 14 years, Mr. Summaria has dedicated himself to building one of the country’s strongest technology programs, mentoring hundreds of students and preparing teams for competition at the provincial and national levels.
This year’s gold medal represents the culmination of that long-term vision and commitment. It is Mr. Summaria’s first national gold medal at Skills Canada and the realization of a goal he has pursued throughout much of his teaching career, earning the title of National Champion.
Despite some challenging setbacks, Mr. Summaria remained steadfast in his pursuit of excellence, believing that one day James Cardinal McGuigan students would achieve this milestone. Reflecting on the achievement, Mr. Summaria said, “This medal isn’t proof that I never failed… it’s proof that I never gave up.”
This historic victory stands as a testament to years of dedication, program development, and a strong belief that students from the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School could one day become the best in Canada.
