Engines, style and giving back: Laurier Macdonald Vocational and Career Centre hosts open house
Posted May 14, 2025 9:13 pm.
Last Updated May 14, 2025 10:42 pm.
It’s not every day you see exotic cars, runway-ready hairstyles and career demos all in one place — but that’s exactly what the Laurier Macdonald Vocational and Career Centre offered during its open house on Wednesday.
The event was part of the school’s ongoing efforts, under the English Montreal School Board, to promote vocational education.
With programs focused on real-world skills, the open house gave the public a chance to see how students are preparing for future careers.
Hands-on career training on display
The open house featured a variety of activities, including the school’s third annual Car Show and the launch of its first-ever Hair and Makeup Show.
Visitors explored programs like automotive, aesthetics, hairdressing, and culinary arts.
There were also interactive demos and guided tours to give people a closer look at the hands-on learning taking place every day.
Automotive pride on display
The Car Show drew a crowd with its lineup of muscle cars, classics, and exotic models.
“We have a car show, fashion show, which we’re doing to raise money for a good cause,” said Dino Buontempo, auto mechanic teacher at Laurier Macdonald.
“We’re trying to showcase our center and all the different programs we have and to show the people out there the technology that we use.”
He added, “It’s just the vibe… the nice weather… and the fact that we have these nice cars. At the same time, they get to see what we teach the students.”
Danielli Bentley, a 2025 auto mechanic student, was proud to be there.
“My teacher has asked me to be here. He likes me as a student, so good to help out,” he said.
He described the instructors as “heart pushing, very thoughtful… and always great attitude.”
About the event itself, he added: “Seeing everybody come in, trying to make sure everybody gets into auto mechanics — it’s a fun thing, I think.”
Hair and makeup show debuts
Inside the building, the school launched its first-ever Hair and Makeup Show. Students in aesthetics and hairdressing brought their creativity to life on a live runway.
“This is actually the first time that we’re doing a hair and makeup show,” said Lujza Straková, an aesthetic teacher at the centre.
“I think it’s so important for our students to showcase their creativity and what they could do with their talents.”
She added, “We have such talented students that are doing an incredible job on a daily basis… We need to do something like this more so people can see that we have a wonderful team.”
Anastasia Kozaitis, a 2025 graduate, shared what the open house meant to her.
“It’s really special because I get to showcase my makeup and what I can do. So it’s really special that the teachers and the school put all of this together so we can showcase our talents and just so everybody can see what we’re able to do.”
She spoke about what makes Laurier Macdonald Vocational and Career Centre feel different from other schools.
“What makes it so special is the way the teachers take care of us and the way the school really, really cares about our talents and how we perform. So it’s really, really nice that they put this together. I find it really special. They really make you feel like you’re part of the community and they do so much for us. So it’s really special to be part of the program.”
Creativity plays a big role in her learning experience.
“I feel like it’s so nice because everybody expresses themselves so differently. Like for me, I’m very creative. I love art. I love makeup, nails. So it’s really nice to be able to express your emotions, feelings through art. So it’s really, really special.”
Seeing the open house come together also left an impression on her.
“It’s really meaningful. It makes you feel like you’re really special, you know, and that they, like I said, like they really like care for what you have to show and showcase that you’re at the end of the day, your student, right? So, not a lot of schools get to experience this. So it’s really nice that we get to experience this here at Laurier Macdonald.”
Now close to graduation, Kozaitis reflected on her time at the centre.
“I just want to say, I guess, thank you for all the teachers. I’m about to finish. I’m almost done. I have three weeks left here. So I’m really excited and I’m really happy that I got to be part of this program and have all the teachers believe in me and support me. And yeah, I’m going to be able to graduate now and, you know, move on and further my career in the program and not the program, but in the in the field.”
Supporting the community
Proceeds from the event were donated to mental health and well-being initiatives.
Straková thanked everyone who helped make the day happen.
“Thank you to all our students for their dedication, hard work, to all team staff, to our school administration… Seeing it coming to life — it’s just rewarding,” she expressed.
