Dozens of Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduates were honored during ceremonies in June, receiving scholarships and awards from businesses, unions, elected officials, school representatives and civic organizations.
Below is a round-up of the awards. (Check back periodically as more will be added throughout June).
Faculty Association Schoharie Career and Technical Education Center Students of the Year
An aspiring forensic psychologist and an aspiring truck driver have been named 2026 Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Schoharie CTE Students of the Year.
Riley VanDenburgh and Lydia Waage were presented the honors during the campus’s June 11 graduation ceremony.
VanDenburgh, a Schalmont student, graduated from the Criminal Justice program, and Waage, a Cobleskill-Richmondville student, graduated from the
Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) program.
For more information, visit a previous story.
North Colonie, BHBL scholars honored as students of the year at Albany CTE
Shaker High School senior Elena Hymes was named Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Outstanding Student of the Year at the CTE Albany Campus during a June 4 ceremony.
Hadassah Harrell, a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake senior, was named SkillsUSA Student of the Year on the campus during the same ceremony.
For more information, visit a previous story.
Senior from Shenendehowa earns national manufacturing scholarship
Shenendehowa High School’s Emma Weiland, who has a manufacturing job
even before graduation and plans to pursue a degree in manufacturing and engineering, is the recipient of the 2026 Troy Industrial Solutions (TIS) scholarship.
Weiland is a 2026 Manufacturing and Machining Technology program
graduate at the CTE – Albany Campus. She is continuing to work at P1 Industries, Inc. while also pursuing a degree at Hudson Valley Community College.
She is one of only two students across the United States to be awarded the TIS this year. Officials said the $1,500 scholarship “is designed for students pursuing degrees or certifications in fields such as mechanical engineering, welding, CNC machining or electromechanical technology.”
HERO student teen earns $5,000 scholarship from Casella Waste, multiple other awards and scholarships
A member of the Cobleskill-Richmondville Class of 2026 has earned a $5,000 scholarship from a major waste hauler thanks to her studies at Capital Region BOCES.
Lydia Waage was presented the Casella Waste Power of Hard Work Scholarship on May 29 at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) – Schoharie Campus.
For more information, visit a previous story.
Waage was also recognized in June as the Schoharie CTE SkillsUSA Student of the Year and was co-recipient of the Schoharie CTE Faculty Association Student of the Year honor. She also received the Heavy Equipment Advisory Board Scholarship, Schoharie Kiwanis Scholarship, Frontier Sno Riders Scholarship and a Casella Waste Power of Hard Work Scholarship.
The SkillsUSA Student of the Year honor is given to the student on each CTE campus who best exemplifies SkillsUSA by their leadership and service to others, participation in all facets of the organization, and dedication and diligence to their vocation.
Waage served as president of the SkillsUSA organization and took part in community service, competition and leadership activities with the organization. She also took part in Women in the Trades events, recruiting the next generation of female tradespeople.
“Lydia is a hardworking and determined young lady. She is always willing to go the extra distance to further her education/career goals,” said her teacher, Matt Millard.
Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said Waage is a “hard-working, diligent student with a bright future.”
For her part, Waage said her two years at BOCES “have been great.”
“BOCES has given me many opportunities to grow personally and professionally,” she said
Scotia-Glenville, Guilderland teens earn Curtis Lumber Award at Capital
Region BOCES
Capital Region BOCES CTE graduates Nate Mansky and Logan McCabe are the recipients of 2026 Curtis Lumber Awards.
The award recognizes a Building Trades student who has demonstrated a passion for their field as well as an alignment with the core values of Curtis Lumber. Mansky was part of the annual 2026 National Signing Day and is employed by LeChase/Quality Structures and is a member of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
McCabe was active at Capital Region BOCES, competing and winning a third-place award for the region in the SkillsUSA carpentry competition in 2026.
He plans to own his own contracting business,
Two Capital Region BOCES seniors earn JC Glindmyer scholarships
A cosmetologist and aspiring graphic designer are recipients of JC Glindmyer Superhero Scholarship at Capital Region BOCES.
Ava McDonald, a Cosmetology program graduate from Schalmont, received the award during the CTE Schoharie Campus graduation on June 11.
Digital Media Design program graduate Lauren McGeary, who attended the Albany CTE Campus from Middleburgh, received the scholarship earlier in the month.
This scholarship was established in memory of JC Glindmyer who was the beloved owner of Earthworld Comics. The scholarship aims to continue his legacy of passion, creativity, and community support.
Duanesburg, Scotia teens honored with Joe Fuchs Award at Capital Region BOCES
Teens from Duanesburg and Scotia Glenville high schools are the recipients of the 2026 Joe Fuchs Award at Capital Region BOCES.
Taylor Klefbeck is a Cosmetology Program Class of 2026 graduate from the CTE Schoharie Campus. She was presented the award during the campus’s June 11 graduation at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.
Tristan Salerno, a graduate of the Pet Tech program on the Albany CTE campus, received the honor at the CTE Albany Campus Awards Ceremony on June 4.
The annual Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center award recognizes a student who exemplifies growth in achievement, the development of skills specific to an occupation, growth in citizenship, work ethic, leadership and pride in their chosen occupation.
Five area teens receive ‘My Destiny’ scholarships at Capital Region BOCES
Five members of the Albany CTE Class of 2026 received My Destiny Scholarship Foundation awards during Capital Region BOCES end-of-year festivities.
Named in honor of Destiny A’Niyah Greene, who tragically passed away in May 2021, the scholarships are awarded annually to area high school students who exhibit similar qualities to Destiny. Those qualities include kindness, compassion, understanding, and a willingness to show love and support to others in need. These scholarships are meant to assist the recipients in achieving their educational goals.
Recipients include:
- Shayla Campbell, Global Fashion program, from Scotia-Glenville
- Dicey Lewis, Global Fashion program, from Cohoes
- Kharina Rosa, Cosmetology program, from Scotia-Glenville
- Marina Smith, Cosmetology program, from Schenectady
- Maya Waldvogel, Early Childhood Education program, from Scotia Glenville
Numerous Capital Region BOCES graduates receive awards from New York State Comptroller
Eleven members of the CTE Class of 2026 received accolades from the New York State Comptroller’s Office.
10 students on the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany CTE Campus and one on the Schoharie Campus received the New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award during ceremonies this month,
The award recognizes students who excel academically and who show “leadership potential by volunteering his or her time to serve their school and/or community.”
Receiving the honors on the Albany Campus were:
- Emmalina Coluccio, Cosmetology, North Colonie
- Megan Emerich, Electrical Trades, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
- Elena Hymes, Criminal Justice, North Colonie
- Jayla Jones, Culinary, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
- Cheyenne Kaminski, Culinary, Scotia-Glenville
- Athena Masse, Welding, Niskayuna
- Caroline Merolle, Cosmetology, North Colonie
- Andrew Satterday, Auto Trades, North Colonie
- Owen VanVranken, Welding, Bethlehem
- Emma Weiland, Machining and Manufacturing, Shenendehowa
Genevieve Rickert, a Cosmetology graduate from Duanesburg, received the accolade on the Schoharie CTE Campus.
Shaker teen earns 2026 SkillsUSA Scholarship
Class of 2026 Game Design and Implementation graduate Bolaji Owodunni is the recipient of the 2026 SkillsUSA Scholarship at Albany CTE.
The Shaker High School student will attend the University at Albany in pursuit of a degree in game design,
The scholarship recognizes a CTE student who worked to develop a strong officer team and sense of camaraderie in the SkillsUSA Organization.
Owodunni served as the SkillsUSA Community Service Liaison this school year and participated fully in running meetings, supporting community service projects and provided guidance to the leadership team.
“This talented student has exemplified what it means to be a SkillsUSA member and will be greatly missed next year,” said Advisor Deb Toy.
Owodunni said his time at CTE and as a part of the SkillsUSA organization was valuable.
“The skills I have learned are useful to what I want to do in the future,” he said. “I like bringing my ideas to life.”
SkillsUSA, Owodunni said, provided him with an opportunity to not only “be sociable and meet good people, but develop collaborative and leadership skills.”
Schoharie teen wins inaugural Diesel Tech scholarship at Capital Region BOCES
A Schoharie High School Class of 2026 graduate is the recipient of the first-ever Bruce Thornton Memorial Scholarship.
James Van Wie-Goring is graduating from the Medium-Heavy Duty Truck Repair program—also known as Diesel Tech—on the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus in June and entered the workforce as a diesel mechanic.
He was presented the scholarship during a June 4 ceremony.
The Bruce Thornton Memorial Scholarship was created in honor of retired diesel mechanic and teaching assistant Bruce Thornton. The Voorheesville resident—who passed away recently—worked at Capital Region BOCES for 20 years following 36 years of work for Ryder System Inc.
Van Wie-Goring is one of 40 students enrolled this school year in the Medium-Heavy Duty Truck Repair program. The two-year program prepares youth for careers as automotive/bus/truck technicians, heavy equipment repair technicians, service managers and more. While many students enter the workforce upon graduation, numerous other students from the program often pursue further education.
HVAC/R graduate wins Knorr scholarship
Colonie Central High School Class of 2026 member Christopher Barnes is recipient of the 2026 Gregory J. Knorr Memorial Scholarship.
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program graduate received the award that is bestowed annually to a student who exemplifies the attributes of Greg Knorr, including civility, kindness and compassion, giving of one’s talents and leadership in their craft.
“Chris not only excels in the shop with projects and labs but also spends time mentoring other students in the class. He was a Skills USA participant and also a state competitor. The classroom conduct from this student is stellar. I would love to have a room full of him,” said Teaching Assistant Bradford Westcott.
CTE Integrated English Teacher Jeff Knorr, brother of the late-Gregory Knorr, said “Though I do not know this student personally, based on the glowing recommendation he received I have no doubt he will continue to succeed in the next steps of his journey.”