NC students took home eight medals including silver in 3D Digital Game Art.
Gold. Silver. Bronze.
All three went to Niagara College Hairstyling program students at this year’s Skills Ontario competition May 5-7 in Toronto.
Isabella Bloom of Fonthill, Emily Smolko of Mississauga, and Harmony Beaudry of Grimsby wowed judges with their mastery of three looks: a long hair updo, cornrows on textured hair, and a colour and cut.
“What an accomplishment to have all three of our competitors make the podium,” said NC Hairstyling professor Joe Abbruscato. “I’m very proud of our students whose long hours, hard work and discipline has paid off.”
What’s more, eight students in the Schools of Media, Trades and Technology earned medals, including Bianca Dizio of St. Catharines who won silver in 3D Digital Game Art.
“This is a significant accomplishment for the Schools of Media, Trades and Technology, showcasing the individual talent of our students and the strength of our programs,” said NC’s Dean Leo Tiberi. “A special thanks to all of our faculty and staff for their dedication, enthusiasm and support, going above and beyond as coaches for student competitors, and, no doubt, contributing to their success.”
Bloom, who is in her first year at NC, will advance to nationals in Regina, May 28 to 31, competing against the best and brightest from across Canada.
And it won’t be the first time. Bloom competed as a student at Notre Dame College School in 2024, placing fourth at nationals in Quebec.
Bloom never planned on becoming a hairstylist – it just kind of happened. In high school, she was moved out of an Italian class and into hairstyling where she discovered her talent.
Bloom was excited to share the podium with her classmates.
“I was glad because I’ve spent so long with them training that I was so happy we all got to compete together and place together.”
Beyond winning gold at nationals, Bloom aspires to work runway shows and competitions, citing her work with Canada’s Got Talent as part of NC’s Hairstyling program with preparing her to work under pressure.
“I’m training almost every day,” said Bloom. “I’m ecstatic and I want to go further than this.”
“Watching them grow throughout the program has been such a rewarding journey,” said Hairstyling professor Samantha Dowty, who will accompany Bloom to compete in Saskatchewan. “Their professionalism, creativity, and positive attitudes truly shone on the competition floor.”
Silver medalist Smolko, who hopes to work at a salon doing event styling, spent weeks preparing both in and out of the classroom to recreate the looks presented, for the first time, on competition day.
“Competing in the hairstyling competition was definitely a stressful but incredible and rewarding experience,” said Smolko. “Niagara College has helped me work towards this by providing me with the foundation of my knowledge of hairstyling which I can take with me and expand upon, and by providing me the opportunity to compete at Skills Ontario and work under pressure.”
Silver medalist Dizio, in her third year of the joint NC-Brock University Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Game Design program felt prepared to do her best at Skills.
“Our program and the courses within it prepare us so well for the industry and this competition is just a testament to all the work and care that goes in from the instructors at Niagara College to ensuring that us, the students, have all the tools we need to succeed,” said Dizio. “Winning wasn’t my goal, I just wanted to be proud of what I made.”
Dizio sought the joint Game Design program to turn her creativity and passion for art into an in-demand career.
“Going into this program I knew nothing about Game Design,” she said. “I was a traditionally trained artist and all I knew was that I wanted to use my creativity for something.”
Despite earning a place on the podium alongside the best emerging artists in the province, Dizio originally “despised” 3D art.
“Our instructors were so patient and created a very open environment that encouraged us to find our passion and gave a lot of freedom to explore which helped me fall for this medium,” said Dizio. “I’m so glad this program gave me the opportunity to compete at Skills Ontario.”
Niagara College winners at the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition
| Gold | Hairstyling (S/PS) | Isabella Boom |
| Silver | 3D Digital Game Art (PS) | Bianca Dizio |
| Silver | Hairstyling (S/PS) | Emily Smolko |
| Bronze | 3D Digital Game Art (PS) | Abbygale Critelli |
| Bronze | Hairstyling (S/PS) | Harmony Beaudry |
| Bronze | IT Network Systems Administration (S/PS) | Caleb Simoneau |
| Bronze | Metal Fabricator – Fitter (PS) | Jonas Kazakevicius |
| Bronze | Precision Machining (S/PS) | Adam Cameron |
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No. 1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
Photos:
Hairstyling: Faculty and student competitors from Niagara College at Skills Ontario in Toronto. From L to R: Instructor Samantha Dowty, Emily Smolko, Harmony Beaudry, Isabella Boom, and Instructor Joe Abbruscato.
BiancaDizio_AbbygaleCritelli: Niagara College Game Design students Bianca Dizio and Abbygale Critelli won silver and bronze in the 3D Digital Game Art competition.
Isabella_Bloom: First-year Hairstyling program student Isabella Bloom at Skills Ontario in Toronto. Bloom will advance to nationals in Regina, SK at the end of May.
