We are thrilled to announce Keaton Snow as one of our four distinguished 2025 Dakota Prep Fellows! Currently a 2nd-year electrical apprentice at Sheridan College in Ontario, Keaton exemplifies the leadership, mentorship, and community-building spirit that the Dakota Prep Fellowship celebrates.
When Keaton Snow began his Level 2 apprenticeship at Sheridan College, he made it his mission to ensure that every single one of his classmates succeeded alongside him. What makes Keaton's story remarkable isn't just his passion for the electrical trade, but his extraordinary commitment to lifting others up while pursuing his own goals.
"He has spent countless hours learning and teaching us the material, so that not one of us gets left behind," notes a letter signed by his entire class of fellow apprentices. "He has done all this to help better his fellow students and this program."
When Keaton and his classmates faced challenges with their Electronics course, he swiftly took action. Recognizing that his peers were struggling with complex concepts, Keaton created comprehensive study guides, organized regular group study sessions, and turned the Trades/MEET Math Tutoring Centre at Sheridan into a hub of collaborative learning for electrical apprentices.
Keaton’s dedication truly came to life the night before a critical midterm exam. After spending hours creating his own review materials, Keaton taught four hours of content to half of his class online. Word of his teaching spread quickly, and with just two hours remaining before the exam, the entire class gathered in the library for one final review session led by Keaton.
"The night before our midterm exam, he spent four hours tutoring us online and another hour in between classes to tutor everyone that couldn't make it online," his classmates wrote. Without his intervention, many students believe they would have failed.
Keaton's impact extends far beyond impromptu tutoring. When he recognized systemic issues affecting his class's learning experience, he took a diplomatic, professional approach. He initiated meetings with the Program's Coordinator, presenting thoughtful solutions and advocating for positive changes that would benefit not just his current class but future students as well.
Dan Hammond, M.E. Coordinator of Electrical Programs at Sheridan's School of Skilled Trades, praises Keaton's approach: "He is honest, dependable, and incredibly hard-working. Beyond that, he is an impressive problem solver who is always able to address complex issues with strategy and confidence. Keaton is inspired by challenges and never intimidated by them."
The Trades/MEET Math Tutoring Centre has been transformed by Keaton's initiative. According to the centre's tutors, "due to Keaton's influence, [it] has become a popular study spot for Level 2 Electrical Students." Keaton doesn't just help with homework—he creates detailed, color-coordinated notes that summarize difficult concepts, making them accessible to peers who might be struggling.
Instructor Gregory Wehrle, who has taught Keaton in multiple courses, observed this leadership develop from the first day: "As our classes moved forward, I noticed this confidence grow and grow. As Keaton became more engaged in class, this was also reflected in his marks. He is doing quite well, and I can see and hear his peers benefitting from his efforts throughout the term."
When we visited Sheridan College's new trade facilities, Keaton's enthusiasm was immediately apparent. As he guided us through the workshops and labs, his pride in being part of this innovative learning environment shone through in every explanation and demonstration.
The tour showcased not just Sheridan's commitment to cutting-edge trade education, but also Keaton's deep connection to the space. He spoke with genuine excitement about how the modern facilities enable students to get hands-on experience with the latest electrical technologies and industry-standard equipment. His face lit up when showing us the spaces where he and his classmates put theory into practice, pointing out where he had helped fellow students master particularly challenging concepts.
What stood out during our visit was how Keaton had made these institutional spaces his own—transforming formal learning environments into collaborative hubs where students gather to work through problems together. Faculty members noted how Keaton's enthusiasm for Sheridan’s facilities has been contagious, encouraging other students to take full advantage of the resources available to them.
Keaton's story demonstrates that success in the trades isn't just about technical skill—it's about leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to community. His willingness to invest countless hours helping peers master challenging material shows high school students considering the trades that they won't be alone on their journey.
For students wondering if they have what it takes to succeed in a technical field like electrical work, his story highlights how the electrical trade rewards technical aptitude in combination with problem-solving, leadership, and the ability to make complex topics accessible.
The Dakota Prep Fellowship will help Keaton continue developing his extraordinary mentorship skills while pursuing his ambitious vision for the future of electrical work.
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The Dakota Prep Fellowship recognizes and supports exceptional electrical apprentices across Canada who have demonstrated a deep commitment to mentoring and assisting their peers. Each Fellow receives a $1,000 award and national recognition for their contributions to building a stronger, more connected trades community.
Dakota Prep's mission is to empower individuals to build successful careers in the trades. Through intuitive and impactful digital products, we help students prepare for and pass their trade exams, advancing to journeyman status. To date, we've supported over 10,000 students from over 30+ schools and unions in Canada, making their dreams of a successful trades career a reality.