A pair of seniors with widely divergent career interests have been honored as students of the year at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus.

Shaker High School senior Elena Hymes was named Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Outstanding Student of the Year at the Campus during a June 4 ceremony.

Hadassah Harrell, a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake senior, was named SkillsUSA Student of the Year on the campus during the same ceremony.

Hymes is a senior in the Criminal Justice program and Harrell is a senior in the Cosmetology program. Both students will join approximately 600 Career and Technical Education students in graduating from Capital Region BOCES on June 11.

Both students have been extremely active on campus.

Elena Hymes

Hymes represented the student body through the SkillsUSA organization at events in Washington, DC, Syracuse and beyond. She also served this year as Parliamentarian of the New York State SkillsUSA organization.

An aspiring speech pathologist, she entered the Criminal Justice program with plans to pursue a career in law enforcement but has opted to expand her options and pursue a degree in speech pathology with a minor in forensics at SUNY Plattsburgh.

“Both degrees will allow me to help other people and make a difference in their lives,” she said.

Hymes credits BOCES with preparing her for a civic-minded, professional future.

“At BOCES, I have learned a lot of skills that will prepare me for whatever career path I choose. I have learned how to interview, how to collaborate and work with others and how to be involved in the community,” she said.

Faculty and staff at Capital Region BOCES praise the scholar.

“Elena is an excellent student who enthusiastically participates in class. Her inquisitiveness raises classroom discussion to a higher level, and her natural leadership inspires others to participate,” said Criminal Justice teacher Eric Smith.

SkillsUSA advisor Deb Toy was equally as effusive with her praise of Hymes.

“Elena has the passion, drive and determination that distinguishes her from her peers.  I am sure she will be successful in her future endeavors,” Toy said.

Hadassah Harrell

Harrell served as president of the SkillsUSA Albany CTE Campus for the morning session this year and has taken part in activities on the campus that benefit the community, such as conducting a toy drive for an area mission and collecting school supplies for area youth.

She has also taken part in numerous professional and leadership training courses.   

Harrell will attend the University at Albany in the fall in pursuit of a degree in business and marketing with plans of becoming a cosmetology industry marketing specialist. 

 “My parents are in sales, and we had a cosmetology marketing expert come into the class [at BOCES] and speak, and I knew right then that is what I wanted to do,” she said.

The SkillsUSA Student of the Year honor is given to the students on each Career and Technical School campus who best exemplify SkillsUSA by their leadership and service to others, participation in all facets of the organization, and dedication and diligence to their vocation.

“BOCES opens the doors to so many opportunities around your passion,” Harrell said. “Coming to BOCES is the best experience I have every day.”

Faculty and staff at Capital Region BOCES praised the scholar.

“Hadassah has taken every opportunity to grow as a leader and as a person. She currently serves as the president of our campus chapter and challenged herself to compete at both the regional and state level. She is always motivated to do her best and takes pride in all her accomplishments,” Toy said.

Teacher Nicole Wentraub sounded a similar message.

“[Hadessah] is very motivated as well as talented. I’m looking forward to seeing what her future brings in the industry,” she said.