There’s nothing more inspiring than watching students take bold steps toward their dreams. At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are proud to celebrate the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers who walk our halls every day.

One of those students is Emily Watson, a Grade 12 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, who earlier this month had the honour of speaking to hundreds of young women from across Ontario at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference in Toronto during the 2025 Skills Ontario event. Emily was just one of only three students chosen to take the stage and share her story. In her powerful talk, she shared her journey into the skilled trades—highlighting her co-op placement at Weir-ESCO, her experience in tech and construction classes, and how she discovered her passion for welding. 

Her message to other young women is powerful and heartfelt:

“Don’t be afraid to try something new. The trades need more women, and we are absolutely capable. Keep an open mind, take that chance—you never know what might ignite your spark.”

And that’s what she’s doing. This June, Emily will graduate from St. Benedict and begin the next chapter of her journey: a Dual Credit Welding Apprenticeship at Cambrian College. Reflecting on her journey so far, Emily shared how her love of learning through doing led her to the trades:

“I’ve always learned best by doing—and welding lets me work with my hands, be on my feet, and create something real. From Grade 9 construction class to my co-op placement at Weir-ESCO and now my dual credit at Cambrian, I’ve fallen in love with the trade. It’s like playing with fire and precision at the same time—and that spark told me I was on the right path. My dream is to become a welder, but more than that, I want to be a role model—to show other young women that we belong in the trades too. We’re just as capable, and the more of us who step in, the stronger the industry becomes. I’d like to thank my incredible teachers, Mr. Labrosse and Mr. Howard, as well as the skilled tradespeople at Weir-ESCO, for helping me explore my interests both in the classroom and during my co-op. I’m especially grateful to my family—and to my dad—for always encouraging me to follow the path that felt right. I am excited to begin this next chapter of my life—meet new people, explore new experiences, and continue to grow both personally and professionally.  

We are incredibly proud of Emily for following her path with courage, confidence, and heart. Her message is one of empowerment, possibility, and leadership—and we can’t wait to see where her spark takes her next.