As graduation nears, many Middleburgh seniors will celebrate both academic and career milestones. This year, 31 students will graduate from BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in addition to earning their high school diplomas. CTE credentials have already helped students stand out on both job and college applications.
Dominick Catalano, inspired by his family’s legacy in construction, studied building trades, and is joining the carpenter’s union. “BOCES has allowed me to be two steps ahead of others because I have a skill I’ve already learned and I have a job,” he said.
His building trades classmate, Adam Miller, is about to embark on a new path – pursuing a degree in business administration. “BOCES has given me skills I will always have and can use, even if not for a job,” he said. “I can fix my house one day or fall back on these skills if I need a job.”
Anais Trombley, a welding student, hopes to join the union after graduation. “Welding is what I enjoy doing,” she said.
Joshua Rivenburg, a heavy equipment student, is also joining a union. “It feels good to know what I will be doing and have everything in place,” he said.
Connor Prokup, a building trades student, is joining the plumbing union. He is thankful for all he learned and to have an opportunity to begin earning a wage. “It’s the reason everyone here is getting a job.”
Conor VanNostrand, a culinary student, plans to work at businesses his family has relationships with and continue working on a farm. Alana Ciafardo, also in culinary, is heading to Schenectady County Community College and dreams of opening a bakery or food truck. “I love baking and coming here to meet all these new people,” she said.
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