Students from each of our three Career & Technical Education campus were celebrated for their many accomplishments and received certificates of completion, honors and awards during ceremonies this June.
The ceremonies marked students’ completion of our one- and two-year programs, including culinary, cosmetology, commercial, health careers and residential construction, criminal justice, sterile processing, video game design, welding and much more.
Many of the graduates are going on to college and trade schools; still others are going straight into the workforce thanks to the skills they learned and the connections they made at Capital Region BOCES.
Praise for our students
Speaker after speaker praised the graduates for going above and beyond to secure bright futures.
District Superintendent Anita Murphy said the graduates went above and beyond to earn not only their high school diplomas, but professional certifications that set them apart from others as they build their careers.
“You have literally earned two degrees by pursuing a CTE education,” Murphy said.
Capital Region BOCES Senior Executive Officer Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D. encouraged the students to always pursue happiness and to remember to turn to BOCES if they need assistance as they move ahead in life.
“You are part of our family for a lifetime,” Dragone said. “If you need anything you can come back to Capital Region BOCES and we will help you.”
Albany Campus
More than 300 Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School – Albany campus students were honored Tuesday, June 7 at Colonie High School.
Principal Shelette Pleat encouraged the scholars to use the skills they have learned to “do what you love and do it with passion.”
“Enjoy life, and don’t take anything for granted,” Pleat added.
Student awards, honors and recognition
Below is a list of the awards presented at the ceremony for students from our Career & Technical School – Albany campus. Learn about the 2021-22 program-level awards.
- The Jay Frankel Award – Daniel Baughn, Watervliet, Building Trades
- Capital Region BOCES Culinary II Scholarship at SUNY Schenectady Community College – Benjamin Hladik, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Culinary
- Student of the Year Nominee – Kelly Westervelt, Shenendehowa, Global Fashion
- The William Kress Humanitarian Award – Kelly Westervelt, Shenendehowa, Global Fashion
- The Joe Fuchs Award – Angelique Barnett, Schenectady, Food Services
- The SkillsUSA Student of the Year – Ashlyn Knapp, South Colonie, Pet Tech
- SkillsUSA Area III Scholarship – Tom Rodick, Shenendehowa, Cable Networking
- Mike Todd Award – Christian Keehner, Shenendehowa, Welding
- The Curtis Lumber Award – Brandon Rowe, Schenectady, Building Trades II
Center for Advanced Technology
Nearly 80 Career & Technical School students from our Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen campus received certificates of completion, honors and awards on Tuesday, June 7 at Mohonasen High School.
Principal Makensie Bullinger told the graduates that they are in a prime position for success as they build their futures in a market in great need of skilled workers.
“You have positioned yourself for the most in-demand, profitable careers,” Bullinger said.
Student awards, honors and recognition
Below is a list of the awards presented at the ceremony for students from our Center for Advanced Technology campus. Learn about the 2021-22 program-level awards.
- The Gregory J Knorr Memorial Scholarship – Zachary Yorke, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Welding and Metal Fabrication
- Outstanding Student of the Year Award – Matthew Peck, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Game Design and Implementation 2
- Area III SkillsUSA Scholarship – William Kruk, Schalmont, Game Design and Implementation
- The SkillsUSA Student of the Year – Caitlin Atkinson, Cobleskill- Richmondville, Manufacturing and Machining Tech
- Robert Flint Leadership Award – Giovanni Cervera, Schalmont, Welding and Metal Fabrication 2
Schoharie Campus
Eighty-seven Career & Technical School students from our Schoharie campus received certificates of completion, honors and awards on Friday, June 3.
Principal Matt Ward encouraged students to appreciate the here and now.
“Take a moment to appreciate the moment today and the hard work you put into accomplishing it,” said Ward.
Keynote Speaker, former New York State senator and current President of The Amedore Group George Amedore told the graduates that the education they received at BOCES has prepared them for a lifetime of success.
“When you can learn and work with your hands, put a little back muscle into it, and keep your mind sharp and educated, you will never go hungry or wanting for work,” Amedore said.
Student awards, honors and recognition
Below is a list of the awards presented at the ceremony for students from our Career & Technical School – Schoharie campus. Learn about the 2021-22 program-level awards.
- 3M Transformational Scholarship – Nate Bartlett, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Bryant & Stratton College’s I Believe in You Scholarship – Breanna Powell, Sharon Springs, Criminal Justice
- Capital Region BOCES Culinary 2 Scholarship at SUNY Schenectady – Sophia Coker, Schalmont, Culinary
- Construction/Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship – Nate Bartlett,
- Cobleskill-Richmondville, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Construction/Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship – Michael Terrell,
- Middleburgh, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Curtis Lumber Award – Stephen Cote, Schoharie, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Ernie Anderson Memorial Scholarship – Michael Schofell, Middleburgh, Automotive Trades
- Joseph N. Fuchs Award – Joseph Bauer, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Tech
- Outstanding Student of the Year – Evan Kuhne, Duanesburg, Electrical Trades
- Outstanding Student of the Year – Kaitlyn Webb, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Cosmetology
- Richard A. Conklin Scholarship Award – Tristin Diaz, Cobleskill Richmondville, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Schoharie Valley Region AACA Scholarship – Rachel Rorick, Sharon Springs, Automotive Trades
- Schoharie Valley Region AACA Scholarship – Zachary Hines, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Automotive Trades
- SkillsUSA Award – Chloe-Jean Thomas, Middleburgh, Criminal Justice,
- SUNY Cobleskill Scholarship Match with the Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Advisory Scholarship – Michael Terrell, Middleburgh, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment
- Thomas Olivo Leadership Award – Chloe-Jean Thomas, Middleburgh, SkillsUSA President