A trio of Capital Region BOCES Automotive Collision Technology students praised the value of a career and technical education (CTE) to the state’s top educators during a Nov. 3 gathering in the lobby of the state Education Department.
Seamus McWatters, McKenzie Navarette and Serina Sylvester were joined by teacher Dylan Bastian, CTE Director Jeff Palmer and District Superintendent Lauren Gemmill for the Fall BOCES Expo 2025. Also on hand were CTE students from around the state representing programs as diverse as Dental Careers (Orange-Ulster BOCES), New Vision Education (Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES) and Heavy Equipment Repair Operations (Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES).
“This is a great opportunity to meet people and tell them how fantastic a program Automotive Collision is,” said McWatters, who attends Capital Region BOCES from South Colonie.
Throughout the event, members of the Board of Regents, as well as other state officials, spoke with students, tried their hands at skills and learned about the diverse educational offerings provided by BOCES.
“I love being here. It’s giving me an opportunity to advocate for my program and my district and meet important people,” said Navarette, who attends BOCES from Mohonasen.
Sylvester, who attends BOCES from Green Island and the Watervliet schools, also expressed appreciation at the opportunity to share her story.
“I really didn’t know what I was going to do after school, but because of BOCES I now have a job, a career and a passion,” she said. “It’s great to be able to share my story and share how fantastic the program and Capital Region BOCES is.”
Regent Seema Rivera said she was impressed with Sylvester and Navarette and the Automotive Collision Technology program.
“Their story is amazing because they said that at first, they were a little intimidated about coming into the program and a predominately [male] industry, but now one of them told me that she has a job lined up and another knows what college she is going to, to further her studies,” Rivera said.
“I think it’s great that Capital Region BOCES has a program like this and amazing that young women are choosing that path,” Rivera said.
