Lo-Ellen Park student receives Canadian Tooling & Machine Association Award

Dane Gibeault, a Grade 12 student from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, has received the Canadian Tooling & Machine Association (CTMA) High School Award.

The award includes a $1,000 prize, a custom-made Turner’s Cube, and a commemorative banner to be displayed in the school.

Christina Visser, Chief Executive Officer of the Ionic Technology Group, visited Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School recently to present the award to Dane Gibeault surrounded by manufacturing students.

Introduced in 2022, the CTMA High School Awards celebrate students who excel in metalworking, demonstrate a positive attitude, and aspire to a career in the precision metalworking industry.

“To be selected for a CTMA High School Award is an extreme honour,” said Dane Gibeault. “It’s a wonderful recognition for the hard work I have done in the machine shop this year as well as mentoring other students.”

He added: “The CTMA program has done so much for our school including donating two Tormach machines and a 5-axis penta machine – all of which have helped me step into the world of high precision machining and metalworking.”

As an International Baccalaureate mathematics student and senior member of Lo-Ellen Park’s FIRST Robotics team, Dane Gibeault has taken on leadership roles for complex technical initiatives while mentoring fellow students through the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Manufacturing program.

“Dane demonstrates exceptional discipline and curiosity, and has made outstanding contributions to our manufacturing and robotics programs,” said teacher and program lead Dan Monti. “Highly proficient in Fusion 360, CNC toolpathing, gear reduction systems, and additive manufacturing, Dane goes above and beyond to support his teammates and peers.”

During the 2026 FIRST Robotics competition season, Dane served as senior lead designer responsible for prototyping, designing and fabricating the team’s entire robot including the swerve drivetrain and all key game mechanisms. Beyond his own design work, Dane has also played a key role in mentoring younger students in CNC machining, CAD and fabrication.

“By leading CNC instruction sessions, teaching efficient manufacturing workflows, and providing design support to developing teams, Dane has helped build a strong pipeline of students interested in skilled trades and advanced manufacturing,” said teacher Dan Monti. “His calm, patient leadership style has had a significant impact, most notably in transforming one of Lo-Ellen’s teams into a confident, competitive group of builders.”

In addition to his technical accomplishments, Dane is also a high-level athlete in volleyball, hockey, and mountain biking. His exceptional work ethic and dedication have earned him a 2026 FIRST Canada Indigenous Scholarship valued at $5,000, as well as a Gene Haas CNC Scholarship.

“Next year, I plan to pursue my post-secondary education in mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia,” said Dane Gibeault. “I am forever grateful to my teachers, classmates, family and friends for their continued support.”

“Dane Gibeault has skillfully balanced his commitments to academics, athletics and robotics, approaching each with maturity, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose,” said Acting Principal Jamie Bouchard. “We are immensely proud of all he has achieved and extend our best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavours.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217