Portage Collegiate Institute students Ronin Chalifoux and Amelia Doucet recently secured second and third place, respectively, at the Manitoba Skills photography competition. The annual event brings together students from schools across the province to showcase technical and creative abilities.
From classroom to competition
Chalifoux, a Grade 12 student, and Doucet, in Grade 10, earned their spots after outperforming peers in a preliminary school contest. Participants were tasked with capturing images across categories like “reading,” “using numbers,” and abstract compositions. A surprise challenge involved photographing a provided object: a pen from Photo Central.
"We all got really high scores," Chalifoux says. "The judges brought in our photos and judged them from there."
Navigating challenges
For Doucet, the competition marked her first medal after a disorienting debut last year.
"I definitely felt much more confident my second time," she notes. "My first time, the school was so big, I didn’t know where I was going, and I got lost."
Chalifoux laughs while recalling his own struggles. “I got lost probably 10 times. Finding the places I needed to go was very hard, but I found my way around.”
Awards and advice
Both students received medals during an awards ceremony.
"They called our names up and put the medals on our necks," Chalifoux adds.
Looking back over the experience, Doucet has these words for anybody who might be interested in competition.
"I highly recommend photography students go to Skills. It’s a great experience and lots of fun."
Favourite shots
When asked about their standout work, Chalifoux highlights his abstract photo focused on shape and line. Doucet’s favourite captures the mystery pen.
"My favourite one would be the pen from Photo Central," she continues.
The duo plans to share their winning photographs digitally, cementing their achievements in a competition that tests both technical skill and creative vision.