This lunch was truly international
Career & Tech students welcome their peers from Tianjin, China

Career & Tech students and staff welcomed their peers from Tianjin High School, China, on Jan. 18, when they hosted a delegation of 29 students and faculty members for a special lunch at Career & Tech's Albany campus.  

The delegation is visiting the U.S. as the guests of Tech Valley High School, which is run jointly by the Capital Region BOCES and Questar III. The Chinese students a lunch prepared by Culinary Arts students and featuring American fare including paella, St. Louis barbecue, chicken fried steak, mini cheesecakes and cupcakes. 

Career & Tech's Floral Design students created floral centerpieces for each table which featured American and Chinese flags set in red, white, blue and gold flowers. Students in the school's SkillsUSA chapter served as ambassadors, making their visitors feel welcome while talking over lunch about school, pets, music and other topics of shared interest. Many took photos of each other.

The SkillsUSA students and Culinary Arts team introduced themselves to the delegation, and the Floral Design students and teacher Meg Bugler were formally recognized as well for their efforts. Visitors enjoyed the centerpieces as takeaway gifts when they left to visit another school.

The international lunch coincided with a presentation on career and technical education in America by Career & Tech Executive Principal Terry Swett, Albany Campus Principal Carina Cook and SkillsUSA Advisor Debbie Toy. Several BOCES faculty members and administrators from the school also visited with delegation during the lunch, including BOCES Board of Education Member Lynne Lenhardt, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Kathryn Gerbino, Principal for Adult Education & Special Programs Ray Paglieri, and Assistant Principal Larry Hinman.

Note:
For more info about the Tianjin delegation and their cultural and educational exchange with BOCES and area schools, visit the Tech Valley H.S. website article.

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