My son, Ryder Starling, is a 16-year-old who has discovered a real passion for cabinetry and working with his hands. Through hard work, dedication, and countless hours honing his skills, he has earned the incredible honour of representing British Columbia in the Secondary Cabinetmaking at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition May 28 & 29.

“Representing BC at nationals is a huge opportunity for me, and I want to give it everything I’ve got. Cabinetry has taught me patience and attention to detail, and I’m excited to keep improving.”

This year, the national competition is being held in Toronto, Ontario. While this is an exciting opportunity, it also comes with significant costs for travel (both for Ryder and his tools), accommodation, meals, and competition-related expenses over the four-day event, which includes two full competition days along with the opening and closing ceremonies.

We are so proud of the commitment Ryder has shown to reach this level. Competing at nationals will allow him to challenge himself, learn from other top students across Canada, and gain valuable experience as he continues to pursue a future in the skilled trades.

We’re reaching out to our community for support to help make this opportunity possible. Any contribution, big or small, will go directly toward helping Ryder attend and compete. If you’re not able to donate, sharing this page would mean so much to us.

Thank you for supporting Ryder as he takes this exciting next step.

Funds will be used to pay for Ryder's airfare and his hotel fees, so far.