More than 100 Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center students from the Schoharie campus received certificates of completion, honors and awards during an emotion-filled ceremony on June 13.
As parents, friends, school and BOCES administrators cheered them on, students from the Schoharie, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Schalmont, Voorheesville, Duanesburg, Middleburgh and Sharon Springs school districts were celebrated in a ceremony at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.
The ceremony marked the completion of one- and two-year programs at the school, including Culinary, Cosmetology, Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment, Criminal Justice, Electrical Trades, Residential Construction, Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers and Automotive Trades Technology.
Speakers praised the graduates and their supporters for going above and beyond to secure bright futures.
Capital Region BOCES Assistant District Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Karen Swain praised the graduates and thanked the community that supported their efforts – from family members to educators to the business and labor partners.
“Our community partners provide these graduates with hands-on learning experiences and equipped our students with the skills and practical experiences they will need to succeed,” Swain said.
Matt Ward, Principal of the Schoharie Career and Technical School Campus said he “marvels at the work our students have accomplished and experiences” they have learned from.
Sharon Springs senior Louis Messias spoke as a representative of the Class of 2024.
“During our time at CTE, I have made very meaningful connections to the staff and people I have done work-based-learning with. … To my fellow classmates, we were a team and a family, and it was a great honor to work beside you all,” the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology graduate said.
Many of the graduates are going on to college and trade schools; and others are going straight into the workforce thanks to the skills they learned and the connections they made at BOCES.
Among them are Mason Weiler, a Building Trades graduate from Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, and Ashley Moorhead, a Heavy Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Repair program graduate from Middleburgh.
“I have learned so much and many so many connections at BOCES. Going here was the best decision I have made in my life,” said Moorhead, who is employed by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158.
Weiler, who was hired by the Ironworkers Local 12 union, said “BOCES allowed me to work as a team with my friends and advance myself with real-world skills.”
Among those pursuing further education are Criminal Justice graduate Cole Carman, who is working towards a college degree enroute to a career in cybersecurity. He said BOCES gave him valuable skills he will use while at the University of Tampa.
“I have learned different types of analysis and skills that will be helpful as I pursue cybersecurity for a career,” the Schalmont student said.
Meanwhile Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology graduate Angelina Carpenter has been accepted into The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) for the fall semester. She credits BOCES with helping her be ready to head to one of the top culinary institutions in the world.
“BOCES has taught me a lot and helped me to grow a lot. It’s been a really good experience,” she said.
During the 90-minute ceremony, dozens of awards were bestowed on students. Below is a listing of some of the campus-wide awards. Others will be announced in the coming days.
- Ernie Anderson Memorial Scholarship – Alexander Mix, Automotive Trades Technology, Duanesburg
- Schoharie Valley Region AACA Scholarship – Logan McDermott, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Automotive Trades Technology
- Schoharie Valley Region AACA Scholarship – Matthew Jackson, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Automotive Trades Technology
- Construction/Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship – Deagan Makarowski, Cobleskill- Richmondville, Heavy Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Repair
- Construction/Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship – Trenton Swartout, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Building Trades
- Construction/Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship – Marc Becker, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Building Trades
- Curtis Lumber Award – Carter Iarusso, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Building Trades
The Schoharie Campus graduation was the second this week for Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education programs. More than 450 students on the Albany Campus were celebrated for completing their respective programs.