Before attending the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center, Remy Marziani said she lacked motivation to study or even to go to school.
Now the Guilderland teenager is a freshman at UAlbany studying business, has obtained her New York State cosmetology certification, and is laying the foundation for opening her own salon.
“My freshmen and sophomore years (of high school), I was a really bad student and was not motivated to go to school. My grades weren’t there at all. But after I went to BOCES, I became motivated and during my senior year I only missed one day and my Algebra grade was 100,” Marziani said during a recent visit to the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus.
The Class of 2023 graduate said the difference in attitude was the result of finding her passion and being able to learn in a style that met her needs – notably by working with her hands.
“I was doing something at BOCES so I was motivated to go to school. I could also understand why I needed to know something and how it applied to me in real life,” she said.’
“I definitely liked the hands-on skills, listening skills, workplace skills, learning how to better manage my time,” she said. “I knew it all mattered.”
Marziani, who is taking five courses at UAlbany in pursuit of a business degree, is planning to start work as a cosmetologist and is considering adding a minor in marketing to her studies.
“It will help me eventually in marketing my own salon,” she said.
Teacher Jean Hoffer said, “Remy was in my Cosmetology class for a year during which time I witnessed tremendous growth and development.”
“She was always a conscientious student who had a positive attitude toward education, highly motivated to succeed and a willing team player. With her sense of priorities, and strong set of skills I am sure she will succeed.”
There are approximately 100 students currently enrolled in the two-year Cosmetology program on the Albany and Schoharie campuses. Students gain the skills and 1,000 hours of training and experience needed to take the New York State licensure exam. The experience prepares students to enter the workforce upon graduation or to go to college and have a leg up on future business competitors.
For more information, go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/cosmetology/