BOCES honors students with awards and scholarships

Middletown - The Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center held its annual student recognition ceremony on June 22 at the SUNY Orange Gymnasium in Middletown b y honoring the 804 students who completed their various occupational programs at the Career and Technical Education Center. Three hundred ninety-seven students who demonstrated a specific competency on an Industrial Standard Assessment were recognized with a technical endorsement on their high school diploma. This distinction is the technical equivalent of graduating with academic honors. During their two years attending CTEC, many students earned as many as 20 college credits to jump-start their post-secondary education. More than $23,000 in scholarships for outstanding performance and community service was also awarded to students during the evening ceremony. Top awards One of the highlights each year is the recognition of the Outstanding Student Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards as well as the CTEC Service Award. This year, the Outstanding Student Gold Award, CTEC’s highest honor, was shared by Alexander Gross and Samantha Pezzello. Alex is a graduate from Valley Central High School and an automotive technology student in the Transportation Careers Academy. Samantha graduated from Warwick Valley High school and was a student in the Visual Arts and Communications Careers Academy. Laura Bakst of Monroe-Woodbury High School and a student in the New Vision Education Academy, was the Outstanding Student Silver Award winner. The following students also were recognized with awards and scholarships: Orange-Ulster BOCES John Flannery High School Charles Scott: Fire Science Program - Achievement Award. Tuxedo Gregory Hart: Law Enforcement - Shawangunk Snowmobile and Rescue Club Award. Michelle Cloutier: New Vision Engineering - Achievement Award. Stephanie Purdy: Health Careers - Outstanding Academy Award, Shawangunk Snowmobile and Rescue Club Award. Warwick Valley Mark Botta: New Vision Education - CTEC Scholar. Emma Bulkley: Workplace Learning/Dietary - Outstanding Academy Award, Wanda Smith Humanitarian Award. Emily Caren: New Vision Education - CTEC Scholar. James Clavin-Marquet: Computer Networking - CTEC Scholar. Emily DiMartino: New Vision Education - CTEC Scholar. Kelsey DiPalmer, Cosmetology - CTEC Scholar, Outstanding Student Appearance Academy Award. Emilie Doran: Pre-Nursing - Elizabeth Cozza Marino Scholarship Award. Raman Kromholz: Horticulture - Outstanding Program Award. Corey Mercer: Welding - Outstanding Program Award. Samantha Pezzello: Visual Arts - Outstanding Student Gold Award, Outstanding Academy Award Allison Price: Advertising Art and Design - Outstanding Program Award. Meghan Wachsman: Culinary Food Trades - Orange-Ulster BOCES Teachers Association Scholarship, Outstanding Academy Award. Marcia Wallace: Culinary Food Trades - Achievement Award. Nicole Zuyus: Digital Film - CTEC Scholar. For a complete list of CTEC graduates, visit the Orange-Ulster BOCES Web site at www.ouboces.org.