More than 100 Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center students from the Schoharie campus received certificates of completion, honors and awards during an emotion-filled ceremony on June 12.
As parents, friends, school and BOCES administrators cheered them on, students from the Schoharie, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Schalmont, Voorheesville, Duanesburg, Middleburgh and Sharon Springs school districts were celebrated in a ceremony at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.
The ceremony marked the completion of one- and two-year programs at the school, including Building Trades, Culinary, Cosmetology, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation [HERO], Criminal Justice, Electrical Trades, Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers and Automotive Trades Technology.
Speakers praised the graduates and their supporters for going above and beyond to secure bright futures.
Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Lauren Gemmill praised the graduates and thanked the community that supported their efforts – from family members to educators to the business and labor partners.
“XXXX” Gemmill said.
Matt Ward, Principal of the Schoharie Career and Technical School Campus said he “marvels at the work our students have accomplished and experiences” they have learned from.
Graduates Wyatt Moss and Jeffrey Mulhern, both from Duanesburg, offered words of wisdom to their fellow graduates.
XXX said Moss, a Criminal Justice program graduate.
XXX added Mulhern, a Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation graduate
Many of the graduates are going on to college and trade schools; and others are going straight into the workforce thanks to the skills they learned and the connections they made at BOCES.
Among them are Samantha Herzog, a HERO graduate from Schoharie.
“From the moment I climbed into a Bobcat at six years old, I knew I had found something special. That excitement turned into a passion—and thanks to the HERO program, it’s become a career path,” said Herzog, who has signed onto the Laborers’ 157 Union and will work for Murnane Building Contractors Inc.
Electrical Trades graduate Gavin Knapp is attending Hudson Valley Community College this fall in pursuit of a career as lineman.
“BOCES has given me a foot up compared to someone who has no previous experience in electrical work,” the Cobleskill-Richmondville senior said.
Another graduate pursuing further education is Ayumi Shaw, who is taking the college credits she earned in the Criminal Justice program on to Bryant & Stratton College.
“Attending Capital Region BOCES taught me how to be a professional, as well as multiple skills,” the Middleburgh teen said. “CTE gave me an opportunity to do what I want to do with my career and gave me head start on my education.”