An aspiring forensic psychologist and an aspiring truck driver have been named 2026 Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Schoharie Career and Technical Education Center 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.

Both have been extremely active at Capital Region BOCES with Waage serving as president of the SkillsUSA organization and VanDenburgh serving as its secretary. Additionally, both scholars took part in community service, competition and leadership activities with the organization. VanDenburgh is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and Waage has taken part in Women in the Trades events, recruiting the next generation of female tradespeople.

VanDenburgh will attend Russell Sage College in the fall where she will study forensic psychology with plans to become a behavioral analyst for law enforcement. Waage recently took part in National Signing Day activities at Capital Region BOCES and is going to work for Casella Waste Products while also attending SUNY Cobleskill.

Waage, who was part of National Signing Day in May, will earn her Commercial Driver’s License and then fulfill her lifelong dream of driving trucks by going to work for Casella Waste.

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

Criminal Justice Teacher Darin Jones praised VanDenburgh as an “excellent” student.

“You couldn’t ask for any better of a student. She is someone who is dedicated to learning,” he said.

HERO teacher Matt Millard had similar praise for Waage.

“Lydia is a hardworking and determined young lady. She is always willing to go the extra distance to further her education/career goals,” he said.

Both graduates said their time at Capital Region BOCES was life-altering.

“BOCES has been great. I have had a lot of opportunities to learn and grow. Everyone has been really nice. I have met a lot of people,” Waage said.  

Vandenburgh also cited the opportunities she received courtesy of BOCES.

“BOCES opened different opportunities for me. I didn’t even know forensic psychology was a thing until I came here. I wanted to be a crime scene investigator when I first came to BOCES, but thanks to guest speakers and the lessons I have learned, I have gained a whole new career path,” she said.