Chloe Jessop’s journey to the trades is a uniquely Gen Z one. 

“I watched a lot of YouTube videos about how to make things, and knew I wanted to do that too,” she said with a laugh. 

On May 26, 2025, Jessop spoke on a panel with fellow Introduction to Trades student Alex Graham, along with Cabinetry and Woodworking student Logan Loewen and Darren Chambers, Vice-President, Star Plumbing and Mechanical, about the future of skilled trades in Manitoba. 

The conversation was moderated by Derek Kochenash, RRC Polytech’s Dean of the School of Skilled Trades & Technologies, and was part of a larger announcement to celebrate Qualico’s recent donation to RRC Polytech: $1.25 million to support skilled trades programming at the College. 

The donation expands capacity in Intro to Trades and provides additional support to the School of Skilled Trades and Technologies, with the creation of 10 annual awards for Construction Trades students – one of the largest available for skilled trades and technologies students, at $5,000 each.  

“This monumental gift addresses key needs not only here at RRC Polytech but will create a ripple effect of positive change for the industry here in Manitoba,” said Fred Meier, President & CEO, RRC Polytech. “Thanks to Qualico, RRC Polytech’s Introduction to Trades program will grow and expand, allowing even more Indigenous learners to build specialized skills and gain direct entry into the RRC Polytech trades program of their choice.”

Qualico’s gift underscored the importance of drawing more young people like Chloe, Alex and Logan to the trades, to support a workforce that’s currently facing a labour shortage. 

“A strong skilled trades workforce is essential to building the homes, infrastructure, and services that our communities rely on,” said David Eggerman, Regional Vice-President, Qualico. 

“By investing in education and training, we’re taking a practical and forward-looking approach to helping bridge the gap between the growing industry demand and shortage of trades professionals. This commitment supports the development of a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline, creating long-term benefits for students, our communities, and the industry.” 

The event began with a blessing from Grandmother Janice Millar, a grandmother-in-residence at RRC Polytech, as well as remarks from Min Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology, who brought greetings from the province that emphasized the importance of the collaboration. 

Qualico’s donation will also support more work-integrated learning programming for RRC Polytech’s Certificate Trades programs: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, and cabinetry and woodworking.  

“Applied learning is at the heart of what we do at RRC Polytech – it’s what sets us apart as a polytechnic institution,” said Meier. “This gift will increase opportunities and connections between students and industry, while furthering our joint commitment to the values that make our institutions – and communities – so strong.”

For Chloe Jessop, industry support from Qualico is the perfect complement to a college experience she’d previously thought of as “just a dream.”

“In the Intro to Trades program, I have never felt more supported as a student. And I don’t say that to be cliché, it’s very, very true,” she said. “From having the support of Grandmother Janice, and the support of our instructors, it’s been an incredible experience. 

“We’re ending our program on June sixth, and it makes me quite sad that I don’t get to have shop experiences each week – getting to do hands-on projects and bring them home and say ‘look, Mom – I made this!'”

For more information on Qualico’s support of RRC Polytech, please click here. 

After a decade in the music industry, managing some of Canada’s biggest artists like Carly Rae Jepsen and Marianas Trench, Kayley McGrath knew she was ready for a change. 

“I loved the work and gained amazing opportunities through hard work, but I knew there was a rapidly approaching ceiling on that career,” said the second year Business Administration student. “I love helping people and when researching and deciding on what I’d like my future to look like, I knew that Human Resources was an area where I could problem solve and help make a positive workspace for others. I chose the Human Resources Management program at RRC Polytech because of their reputation within the workforce.” 

McGrath was one of more than 700 students to attend RRC Polytech’s largest-ever Directions Business Conference, presented by the Johnston Group, on March 5, 2025 at the RBC Convention Centre. This year’s conference had close to 150 industry members in attendance, ready to network with students and help them jumpstart their careers. 

“The Directions Business Conference is an important employment engagement opportunity; one that gives students the chance to build strong connections with potential employers while they’re still in school, so they have an added advantage once they graduate,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech President and CEO, in his opening remarks.  

“Witnessing the relationships between students and industry is one of my favourite parts of working at RRC Polytech, and I know today will be a special day.” 

Throughout the half-day event, students in the Business Administration, Indigenous Education, Continuing Education and Hospitality and Culinary Arts programs had the opportunity to network with the greatest variety of Manitoba businesses of any Directions Business conference to-date – from larger name corporations to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small-and-medium sized enterprises. 

“My experience was just pure delight, like a tropical salad of sweet tasting fruits!” said second year Business Administration student Latoya Taylor-Johnson. “It was very knowledgeable, and I had the pleasure of speaking with a few businesses that caught my eyes previously.” 

Melodie Richard, Marketing Director at Johnston Group – and Creative Communications graduate and former instructor – was in attendance, providing welcoming remarks to kick off the day. 

“Partnering with RRC Polytech is an obvious choice for Johnston Group – both of our organizations value community, building relationships, and shaping a better future,” she said. “Supporting the Directions Business Conference gave us a front-row seat to witnessing key relationships being formed between students and industry here in Manitoba. Johnston Group is pleased to hire many RRC Polytech grads, because we know they come out of the College with the skills and knowledge to fit in and hit the ground running.” 

Along with Meier and Richard, the conference featured greetings from the Honourable Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training; and keynote speaker Cassandra Carreiro, the founder of Sharecuterie, an Indigenous and woman-owned artisanal charcuterie café and cocktail bar in Winnipeg, who shared her story of shifting from psychiatric nurse to small business owner in the midst of the pandemic – pursuing her passion and leveraging her talent to fill a gap in the market and make her dream a reality. 

“Truly every connection opportunity was beneficial, but I really valued the roundtables.” noted McGrath. “They provided students the opportunity in a smaller group setting to ask questions, relate their studies to their future careers, and create memorable impressions.” 

During the Directions Roundtable Session, presented by Staffmax, representatives from nearly 70 different businesses and organizations hosted students according to their field of interest, inviting them to learn more about the respective organization’s mission, culture and vision. 

“The most valuable part of the day was the interaction with the roundtable,” Taylor-Johnson agreed. “Even though I wish the timing was longer for communicating and being able to speak with more companies. And the best part of the day was the amazingly delicious lunch and fancy desert!” 

The roundtable sessions empowered students to expand their networks, explore roles in various fields, and discover how industry is innovating and solving programs – all while connecting with local organizations that are looking to hire new graduates. 

Students also had the opportunity to boost their professional profiles at the RBC Headshot Lounge, where photographers captured LinkedIn-ready headshots to help take students to the next level. 

“I had a very positive experience at the Directions Conference – I was so pleased with all the relationships RRC Polytech has built, with so many amazing companies in Manitoba,” said McGrath. “I thoroughly enjoyed gaining the opportunity to meet with, hear from, speak with, and create memorable connections with employees, employers, and entrepreneurs that I look up to.” 

Her positive experience in her program inspired an entirely new career path: teaching in her field of study. 

“Something RRC Polytech has fostered in me is my love of working with a group of people to achieve learning new things,” she said. “RRC Polytech has empowered me to see how my experience and educational path partner well together. When I graduate, I want to pursue earning a teaching position, so that I can help students along their educational journey.” 

They came, they saw, they built some outstanding snow sculptures. 

RRC Polytech’s third Snow Me the Money! winter engagement contest has come to a close, just in time for the Spring thaw. Despite unpredictable temperatures this year, there were 10 teams who enthusiastically responded to take part in the contest.  

Each team was willing to take time out of their busy schedules to have some winter fun, show off their creativity, and enjoy the company of their teammates while working together to beautify the NDC campus, and Campuses across the province to raise climate action awareness. 

 Congratulations to this year’s winners: 

• 1^st place: Sea Five  

• 2^nd place: Cloud Niners 

• 3^rd place: Health Care Aides Selkirk – Team Busy 

Snow Me the Money! invites our community to come together and have some fun during Winnipeg’s chilly winter season. While the prize is an enticing incentive, the true goal of the contest is to connect with our classmates, co-workers, colleagues, friends and family in a fun activity that boosts morale and mental health. 

But it’s much more than a lighthearted romp in the snow – Snow Me the Money! highlights the harsh realities of climate change and encourages us all to fight for a future where snowy, fun-filled winters are the norm for generations to come. 

At RRC Polytech, we strive to ingrain sustainability in everything we do. There are several College initiatives that are aimed at tackling climate change, such as: 

• Our commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including Goal 13: Climate Action, through the signing of the SDG Accord. 

• Our efforts to create sustainable campuses – demonstrated by the award-winning Manitou a Bi bii daziigae, a building designed to near net zero efficiency. 

• Research Partnerships & Innovation’s ongoing partnerships with industry to create clean energy solutions for the real world – such as the all-electric bus, the EV Tundra Buggy, and conducting air tightness tests to provide insights into cost-effective measures for reducing energy usage at buildings throughout the province. 

• Our recently released Sustainability Strategy, a comprehensive plan that guides us towards a more sustainable future for RRC Polytech and our broader community. 

The driving force behind Snow Me the Money! is Maria den Oudsten, who has been organizing similar competitions through her Sweet Sorrow Snowman Foundation for years. 

Maria den Oudsten, along with her late husband Jan, presented one of the largest gifts from an individual donor in RRC Polytech’s history – 1.5 million dollars to support students and researchers in Manitoba’s heavy vehicle sector.  

We want to thank Maria and her family for their ongoing support of RRC Polytech and for donating the cash prizes, and for inspiring us all to build a better tomorrow. 

Thank you to all who participated! 

Do you want to build a snow man? Of course you do! Manitoba is a winter playground that we all love to enjoy and at this time of year we’ve got lots of snow to go around! In “Manisnowba” we show our joy of spending time outdoors in winter proudly. That sentiment is especially clear on RRC Polytech’s campuses when the Snow Me the Money! contest is underway. 

For the third year in a row, RRC Polytech students, staff, and faculty are challenged to create epic snow sculptures for the chance to win one of three cash prizes valued at $1000, $500 and $250. Between March 3-6 groups of classmates, colleagues or co-workers will gather to build unique snow creations on campuses across the province.  

Register a team to build your take on a classic snowperson or get creative and build something new! In past years, groups have created snow cars and semis, snow bears, snow construction workers, snow students, snow drums, and more.  

The contest is sponsored by Maria den Oudsten, a generous member of our donor community who has a passion for snow and has been organizing similar competitions through her Sweet Sorrow Snowman Foundation for years. Her main goal with these competitions is to raise awareness about global warming and to encourage climate action around the world. 

Snow Me the Money! reminds us of all the joys we have in our winter climate, and the importance of protecting it all while getting us together for some fun. 

How the contest works 

Register a team and help create a welcoming “snow village” across our campuses! 

Groups at Notre Dame Campus (NDC) are encouraged to build their sculptures along Route 90 in front of the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre (VTRC) and near the main entrance off Notre Dame Avenue.  

Teams from the Exchange District Campus (EDC) are welcome to come to NDC to build their masterpieces where space and snow are more accessible. Teams from Stevenson and our regional campuses can take part at designated locations on their campuses. 

1. Assemble your team, gather each team member’s email address, and decide on a team name. Then have your team captain sign up your team through the registration form online! Teams can consist of staff, students, and faculty. Family members are also welcome to participate. There is no limit on the number of members per team. Please note that teams must be signed up to be eligible to win prizes. Registration cut off is March 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. 

2. Build your snow sculpture between March 3-6, 2025. 

3. Snap a photo of your snow sculpture and send it to Lisa Moore at limoore@rrc.ca before the contest closes at 12:00 p.m. on March 6, 2025. Submissions will be entered to win one of three cash prizes valued at $1000, $500 and $250. Additional prizes may include small amount gift cards and various small tokens of participation. 

4. Maria den Oudsten will be our judge and will select the three cash prize winners. 

5. Attend the celebration wrap up event on March 7, 2025, at NDC to find out if you’ve won some cash! Pizza, cookies, and refreshments will be provided. Those at other campuses who are unable to attend the celebration event will be contacted if they are chosen as a winner. Prize money for the top three snow creations will be awarded to the captain on behalf of the team.  

Contest rules and regulations: 

1. Participants must not interfere with the building of competing sculptures or deface, devalue, or destroy them. 

2. Sculptures will not be monitored, and contest organizers are not responsible for any random acts of vandalism. 

3. No power tools can be used in the construction of your sculptures. 

4. If props are used in any snow sculptures, they must be cleaned up by the end of the day on March 7, 2025. 

5. Participants who fail to comply with RRC Polytech’s safety guidelines and our Respectful College and legal policies as outlined at RRC.ca may be removed from the contest. 

6. The skill-testing question of (10 × 4) – (15 ÷ 3) =? provided on the entry form must be correctly answered to be eligible for the randomly drawn prizes. The odds of winning the grand prizes or raffle depend on the number of entrants. 

7. The contest is free of charge, and no purchase is necessary to register. 

By participating in this contest, participants agree:  

• (a) to be bound by these Contest rules and the decisions of RRC Polytech and the Sponsor, whose decisions are final;  

• (b) to the use of the participant’s, likeness, voice, image, recording, video footage, contest entry submission and statements in connection with this contest and the promotion thereof;  

• (c) that if selected as the winner, you give RRC Polytech the right to publish or broadcast your name, likeness, voice, image, recording, video footage or statements for editorial, promotional, advertising and publicity purposes, without compensation other than the value of the prize offered.  

• (d) to release and indemnify and hold harmless RRC Polytech, the sponsor, and all their respective officers, directors, employees, owners, agents, contractors, representatives, successors and assigns from any liability in connection with or arising out of this contest. 

Now, get ready to bundle up, head outside, and enjoy the snow and team camaraderie as you create the best snow sculptures yet!  

Captains, please register your teams HERE 

On October 11, thanks to a generous sponsorship from IG Wealth Management, Indigenous high school students had the opportunity to participate in RRC Polytech’s ACE IT Camp at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, where they learned how they could apply an education in information technology into future careers.

“The students loved the hands-on activities and the chance to be on campus. It was very valuable for them to hear from current students and staff involved in the program – I think it opened their minds to the variety of IT options across all fields of work and the experience showed them the versatility that a career in IT provides,” said Hailey Skrumeda, teacher, Southeast Collegiate.

Read the full story on the Indigenous Education blog.

This was the third year of RRC Polytech’s Snow Me the Money! contest where staff and students were asked to think about the impacts of climate change while partaking in a classic winter activity in Manitoba: making snow sculptures.

Taking care of our planet and being sustainable are core values of RRC Polytech. So much so that back in November RRC Polytech became the first post-secondary in Manitoba to sign the SDG Accord, committing to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – including urgent calls to action to tackle climate change across the globe.

A variety of initiatives are underway at RRC Polytech – from composting and print reduction, to conducting waste and transportation audits, and building a campus environment that embodies sustainable design – ensuring that a commitment to sustainability is at the forefront of everything that happens at RRC Polytech. This includes instilling these same values in the thousands of students across our campuses so they too can be sustainability-minded when they enter the workforce.

One way of inspiring these values outside of the classroom is with opportunities like the Snow Me the Money! contest, which was created in 2021 by Maria den Oudsten, a generous member of our donor community.

“Seeing students and staff come together to have fun in the snow while considering the importance of how we treat our planet is really amazing,” said Maria at the contest’s wrap-up celebration. “Climate change is having an impact even right here in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Our temperatures from summer to winter are drastically changing and these conditions over the long-term are leading to more extreme weather events like the drought conditions, floods and fires we’ve seen in recent years. These are serious impacts of climate change, and this is why we must take action now.”

The Snow building contest began as a passion project for Maria as a climate change awareness campaign showing the importance of preserving one of her most cherished winter activities – building snow people. The contest is an opportunity for classmates and colleagues to work together to help raise climate change awareness.

“I was really inspired by how Maria really loves winter and why she started this contest,” said Claire Tuazon, first year Social Innovation and Community Development student. “I hope we have more events where you get to appreciate the weather that we have here in Winnipeg.”

There was almost no snow on the ground when the call-out for snow sculpting teams to register began at the end of February. It served as a reminder that playing in the snow, even in a Winnipeg winter, might look different due to climate change.

With a huge snow fall the week of the contest, 20 teams set out to create incredible snow sculptures between March 4-7, 2024. Snow creations were lined up along the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Research Technology Centre on Route 90 and other spots at the Notre Dame Campus as well as Stevenson Southport and the Steinbach Regional Campus.

“These sculptures serve as a visual reminder to celebrate winter and how our daily actions make a global impact,” said Fred Meier, president and CEO of RRC Polytech, at the wrap-up celebration. “As Manitobans, we’re bonded by the ability to make the most of the winter conditions we face, and this contest proudly demonstrated collaboration and teamwork. Elements that are critical to the success RRC Polytech has in training the workforce of today and tomorrow, but it also showcased that we care about the planet and helped to inspire us to build a better future.”

Maria and her late husband Jan den Oudsten, a pioneer and inventor in transit technology, presented RRC Polytech with a donation of $1.5 million in 2019 to support students and researchers in Manitoba’s heavy vehicle sector.

Over 50 participants were treated to soup, chili, and refreshments as a part of the wrap-up lunch, donated by Maria den Oudsten to celebrate everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to have some winter fun, show off creativity, teamwork, and raise climate action awareness in the Snow Me the Money! contest.

Energies were high and the chatter around the room was loud at Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) annual Directions Business Conference where 500 students and 240 industry partners gathered at the Victoria Inn Hotel in late February to make connections, share information and explore new directions.  

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous going into it, but I wasn’t really sure what to expect or what it would look like, but at the end of the day, I was quite happy I went. It was really powerful to hear the keynote speakers and the guest speakers that were there,” said Shane LeBlanc, second year Business Administration student.  

The half-day conference connected students from Business Administration, Indigenous Education, Continuing Education and Hospitality and Tourism with professionals and industry leaders throughout Manitoba.  

The conference featured messages from RRC Polytech President and CEO, Fred Meier and RBC Regional Vice President, Chris White and keynote speaker Amanda Buhse, Graphic Design alumni and CEO of Coal and Canary Candle Company, a local luxury candle company.  

“Directions offers a unique relationship-building experience that benefits everyone who takes part,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for students to grow and learn by connecting with an unparalleled network of industry leaders and proud alumni who are driving the economy and are making a positive impact in our community, and for our partners to network with the future leaders in their respective industries – some they may work alongside one day very soon.” 

A highlight of the event for students was the roundtable sponsored by RBC Future Launch, as a part of its Reaction by Collision initiative.  This partnership between RBC and RRC Polytech is aimed at helping students expand their networks, explore roles in various fields, and discover how industry is innovating and solving programs.  

Students circulated between four tables according to their field of interest and explored four different skill areas in 20-minute sessions. These sessions provided an intimate session where students were able to sit down with some of the top employers in Winnipeg and connect with organizations looking to hire new graduates.  

“It was a great opportunity to be able to have conversations like this.  For me, as a student, I would not have the opportunity to talk with people from RBC if it was not for events like this. I was able to clarify and understand their jobs, what they do and make sure that it’s something that I want to pursue,” said Lara Andrade, Business Administration student. 

“RRC Polytech Directions is a unique format bringing together the aspirations and curiosity of bright young minds with the experience of seasoned professionals and alumni,” shared Chris White, RBC Regional Vice President joined by 25 RBC employee volunteers. “Directions is a tremendous opportunity for students to make connections and shape their growth.” 

The conference also provided students an opportunity to participate in the RBC Headshot Lounge and the RRC Polytech Proud Alumni Panels where they heard from former students who are working in the industry.  

“They shared how they went from being students to where they are now in their career and they gave us great advice,” said Lara.  

Lara, an international student, started attending RRC Polytech after having spent a semester at a different institution in Manitoba and transferred to the Business Administration program at the College.  

“I really enjoy how things are more direct and hands-on, because that’s what I need. RRC Polytech gives you all the tools you need to be ready for the work environment. And this experience and having the ability to make these contacts is a perfect opportunity for students,” Lara added.  

The Reaction by Collision event series hosted one more event for the 2023/24 academic year, the RBC Reaction by Collision Indigenous Career Fair on March 21, where students were able to connect with employers from over 40 organizations who have job openings and opportunities for Indigenous students and graduates.  

Watch the short recap video of the Directions Business Conference here.

Snow-body embraces winter fun and teamwork like our students, faculty and staff – and now, with a little cooperation from Mother Nature, you can prove it! 

Snow Me the Money! is returning for a second year and in addition to teaming up with your classmates, colleagues or co-workers to create epic snow sculptures, (click to see last year’s recap) we’re adding a singing element to RRC Polytech’s Winter Engagement Contest.

It hasn’t been a typical Manitoba winter which highlights the importance of prompting climate action – so let’s bank on some snow and cold coming our way so you can show off your creativity and win cash and prizes.

Snow Building Element

Our goal, once again, is to create a welcoming “snow village” on the Notre Dame Campus (NDC) along Route 90 in front of the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre (VTRC) and near the main entrance off Notre Dame Avenue.

• Staff, students and faculty are encouraged to register teams (family members are welcome to participate) and our facilities staff will try to stockpile any snow reserves nearby so you can build your creations.
• Deadline to register is EXTENDED TO MONDAY, March 4th, 2024, at 5:00 pm CT.
• Snow building can take place at the assigned locations any time starting at 8:00am CT on March 4, 2024, and ending at 12:00pm CT on March 7, 2024.
• Snap a photo of your finished work of art and email it in to be eligible for both judged and randomly drawn cash prizes.

 Singing Element (NEW!)

• Teams are also encouraged but not obligated to submit a video recording of them singing the song Tell me Where the Snowmen Are by Ria den Oudsten, sung to the tune of Tell Me Where the Flowers Are composed by Pete Seeger for an additional chance to win. 
• Sheet music and instrumental audio will be provided and may be used in the recording.
• Professional recording equipment is not required, smartphone recordings will be accepted.
• You do not have to build a snow sculpture to submit a singing video.

Deadline and Celebration    

• Deadline to submit your entries to Lisa Moore limoore@rrc.ca is noon CT on March 7, 2024.
• Winners will be announced at a lunch hour wrap up celebration at NDC on Friday, March 8, 2024.
• Chili, soup, and hot beverages will be provided.

You must register properly to be eligible to win prizes. Assemble your team, collect each member’s email address and decide on a team name. Elect a team captain who will formally register your group by completing this form. Prize money will be awarded to the captain on behalf of the team. You may also register as an individual.

A full list of rules and regulations for participants can be found HERE.

Our judge is Maria den Oudsten, a generous member of our donor community who has a passion for snow and has been organizing similar competitions through her Sweet Sorrow Snowman Foundation
for years. Her main goal with these competitions is to raise awareness about global warming and to encourage climate action around the world.

Her family’s generosity for helping spread the word is extended to you in the way of prize money for the most creative, elaborate and impressive designs and her favorite rendition of the song.

The team that builds Maria’s favorite snow sculpture at NDC will split $1000 and the runners-up will be awarded $500. The winning team between EDC, Stevenson and the Regionals will also split $1000 and the runners-up will be awarded $500.

*Teams from EDC are encouraged to come to NDC to build your masterpieces where space and snow are more accessible. Teams from Stevenson and some of our regional campuses can take part at designated locations on their property.

Another $1000 will go to Maria’s favorite singers from any campus. Even if you can barely carry a tune don’t be shy and have fun with it, as a little effort and creativity could still make your team the winner!          

Four more prizes of $250 will be won by participating teams selected at random. If you register and submit an entry your team will be entered in the draw, so everyone has a chance to cash in – Snow Me the Money!

Our Advancement Team will gather other prizes and souvenir shwag to reward your efforts, but every participant will feel like a winner as you show off your creativity and collaboration skills, enjoy a break from your daily routine, beautify the campus and encourage climate action around the world.

There is snow time to waste, so choose your “winspiration” – an animal, an object, a landmark, a symbol, a vehicle, a superhero or an abstract interpretation of a feeling or emotion – big, small, short or tall, hopefully we’ll get enough snow to build them all!

Captains, please register your teams HERE

First place winners, Snowcanics

You’re invited to team up with your classmates, colleagues, or co-workers to create an epic snow sculpture and show off your singing voices for a chance to win cash and prizes in RRC Polytech’s Winter Engagement Contest – Snow Me the Money!

This year, in addition to the snow-building contest, participants will get to take part in a singing contest, singing their version of the original climate change anthem, “Tell Me Where the Snowmen Are” to help raise climate crisis awareness and win additional prizes!

• Registration

You must register to be eligible to win prizes. Participants can register as a team or individual to participate in the snow-building and singing contests.

To register as a Team:

• Assemble your team, collect each member’s email address and decide on a team name.
• Elect a team captain who will formally register your group by completing the entry form that includes each team member’s name and email address.
• Team captains must be a student or staff member at RRC Polytech, but anyone is eligible to participate as a team member: family members, friends, etc.
• Prize money will be awarded to the captain on behalf of the team.
• There is no limit on the number of members per team.

Individuals can register by completing the entry form. RRC Employees and students are eligible to register as individual participants or students are eligible to register as individual participants.

The registration deadline is EXTENDED to Monday, March 4th, 2024, at 5:00 pm CT.

The contest is free of charge, and no purchase is necessary to register.

• Snow Building Contest

Weather permitting, the goal is to create a welcoming “snow sculpture village” at the Notre Dame Campus (NDC) along Route 90 in front of the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre (VTRC) and near the main entrance, off Notre Dame Avenue.

Teams from EDC will need to come to NDC to build their masterpieces where space and snow are more accessible.

Teams from Stevenson and our regional campuses can take part at designated locations on their campuses and submit their entries.

Snow building can commence at the assigned locations from 8:00 am CT on March 4, 2024, and end at 12:00 pm CT on March 7, 2024.

Snap a photo of your finished work of art and submit your entry to Lisa Moore limoore@rrc.ca by noon CT on March 7, 2024.

Teams are encouraged to use snow reserves that our facilities staff will stockpile (if available) to build their creations.

Participants must not interfere with the building of competing sculptures or deface, devalue, or destroy them.

Sculptures will not be monitored, and contest organizers are not responsible for any random acts of vandalism.

No power tools can be used in the construction of your sculptures.

Participants in the snow sculpture contest can also participate in the singing contest.

If there is not enough snow left to sculpt due to unseasonably warm temperatures as of March 1^st, 2024, the snow-building portion of the contest may be altered or cancelled. Registrants will be informed via email.

Participants who fail to comply with RRC Polytech’s safety guidelines and our Respectful College and legal policies as outlined at RRC.ca may be removed from the contest.

• Singing Contest

This year, we are also introducing a singing competition to the Snow Me The Money Contest with additional prizes to be won.

To participate in the singing contest,  teams/individuals will submit a video recording of the song Tell me Where the Snowmen Are by Ria den Oudsten, sung to the tune of Tell Me Where the Flowers Are composed by Pete Seeger. 

Sheet music and instrumental audio will be provided by email and may be used in the recording.

Professional recording equipment is not required, smartphone recordings will be accepted.

You can participate in the singing contest without participating in the snow-building contest.    

The deadline for emailing singing submissions to Lisa Moore limoore@rrc.ca is also noon CT on March 7, 2024.  

Winners will be announced at a lunch hour wrap-up celebration at NDC on Friday, March 8, 2024.

• Prize Structure

$1000 for the most creative, elaborate and impressive design at NDC as judged by Maria den Oudsten.

$1000 for the most creative, elaborate and impressive design away from NDC as judged by Maria den Oudsten.

$500 for the Runners-up at NDC as judged by Maria den Oudsten.

$500 for the Runners-up away from NDC as judged by Maria den Oudsten.

Four prizes of $250 for registered teams (any campus) selected by random draw.

$1,000 for Maria den Oudsten’s favorite singing submission from all campuses.

The skill-testing question of (10 × 4) – (15 ÷ 3) =? provided on the entry form must be correctly answered to be eligible for the randomly drawn prizes. The odds of winning the grand prizes or raffle depend on the number of entrants.

Additional prizes may include small amount gift cards and various small tokens of participation.

Fittingly, teams comprised of staff and students snagged the top prizes at RRC Polytech’s Snowbuilding Contest – Snow Me the Money! But everyone involved got a taste of victory with a free lunch, souvenir books and plates, and the good vibes generated by working together on a fun outdoor project while raising awareness about climate change.

The College community embraced the challenge of creating a “snow village” to welcome visitors along Route 90 in front of the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre (VTRC) as well as near the main entrance of the Notre Dame Campus. Remote entries from our regional campuses were also submitted and rewarded.

In total, 28 teams and almost 200 individuals took time out of their busy schedules to have some winter fun between February 13 – 17, 2023, to show off their creativity and enjoy the company of classmates, colleagues, friends and family, while working together to beautify the campus at NDC and prompt action to slow climate change. 

Among the truly epic snow sculptures now on display you’ll find a campfire setting, a full-sized car, a massive owl, a turtle and an Indigenous drum circle, just to name a few. And of course, snow people of every shape and size including a hockey team, a snow judge, a snow tanner, and even a snow speaker at a podium with an ASL interpreter – bearing an incredible resemblance to RRC Polytech President and CEO, Fred Meier!

Teams pulled out all the stops to impress the event’s judge, Maria den Oudsten, a generous member of our donor community who has a passion for snow and has been organizing similar competitions around the world for years through her Sweet Sorrow Snowman Foundation.

“I love encouraging people to embrace winter and celebrate its beauty with these competitions because it draws attention to the danger that climate change presents,” said den Oudsten. “Playing in the snow is something Winnipeggers often take for granted but without a collective change in our habits and behaviour, global warming could rob even the coldest areas of the planet of this joy. We must act now to ensure that these aren’t the last snowmen on earth.”      

Her family’s generosity for helping spread the word was extended in the way of prize money for the most creative, elaborate and impressive designs.

Maria’s favourite design and the winner of the $1000 first place prize was the Snowman Inukshuk built by the Snowcanics – a team of students from the Heavy Equipment Mechanic Program led by their instructor, Shelby Livetsky. 

“Taking part in this contest brought the class closer together as it allowed us to share our different cultural backgrounds, learn about teamwork, and most importantly have a ton of fun!” said Livetsky. “When our Indigenous students explained the importance of the Inukshuk and the significance the direction the arms point, our plan was set but we had to work together to make it a reality. It was such a rewarding experience for everyone that we named it Kuviasuk, the Inuit word for happy.”

Another staff and student team, Team Munsters was chosen as the runners-up at NDC. The Auto Mechanics class named after their instructor Chase Munsters won $500 for putting their coursework in the spotlight by building a full-sized sportscar with blue tinted windows.   

Team Tweedledee and Tweedledum from Steinbach was selected as the Regional Campus winner and will also share a $500 prize.

The contest lived up to its name by splitting another $2000 donated by the den Oudstens into eight prizes of $250 drawn at random during the wrap up celebration. Just making the effort to get outside and get involved paid off for the following teams:

• Swagalicious
• The Mighty Wheel
• Snow Holds Barred
• Goofy Goobers
• Red Bean Shark
• Just Me
• Snowlutions
• Manitoba Dreaming

Maria‘s generosity also included providing soup, chili and refreshments, Journey to Snowmanland photobooks and souvenir plates for all the competitors. Peak of the Market donated carrots so no snowperson was left without a nose.   

“Thank you to our eager participants for their passion and creativity, as well as the Culture Champions, facilities staff, and the organizing committee for adding to our culture of caring,” said Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resource Officer. “This event was about building relationships as well as snow sculptures, so we’d also like to thank Maria and Jan den Oudsten for their ongoing support of the College and for reminding us to enjoy the perks of a Winnipeg winter here at RRC Polytech.”