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.

She plans to earn her Commercial Driver’s License and then fulfill her lifelong dream of driving trucks by going to work for Casella.

“I have always wanted to operate a truck. … Before I came to BOCES, I only knew how to drive a tractor, and I have already learned so much,” she said.

Waage is completing the two-year Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) program at the CTE Schoharie Campus, where she is learned how to operate, maintain and repair large construction-related equipment, such as backhoes, dump trucks, dozers, front end loaders, and excavators. 

Waage’s pursuit of a career in the skilled trades evolved from her passion of working with her hands and from working with her father, who is an engineer. Her plans became further cemented after attending the 2024 Capital Region BOCES Women in Trades event. Since attending that Women in Trades event, Waage has taken center stage in two of the luncheons – serving as a speaker at the 2025 event and as a panelist at the 2026 luncheon.

The scholarship is presented annually to a Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center student on the Schoharie Campus and/or the Albany Campus.

Casella officials choose students who “plan to study or work towards a career in the diesel mechanic or heavy equipment operation fields and who embody the core values of Casella Waste Management: service, trust, responsibility, integrity, and continuous improvement.”

Management: service, trust, responsibility, integrity, and continuous improvement.”

Casella officials said Waage meets those criteria – and more.

“Lydia is someone that has been on Casella’s radar for two years. She made quite an impression both times I visited her school. The last time I visited she came right up to me and said ‘ I think I want to drive a trash truck for Casella.’  We are very excited to support her education and having her as a member of the Casella team,” said Tony Volpone, Casella Talent Acquisition Partner.

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

For more information on the HERO program, visit the website at: https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/heavy-equipment-operation-maintenance-repair/.