On Tuesday, May 25, HFM BOCES celebrated 39 students who completed the HFM PTECH program this year during a ceremony outside of Fulton Montgomery Community College.
These students, who come from school districts across the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery region, earned their Regents high school diplomas and associate degrees through the project-based, early college high school program.
The 39 students earned associate degrees from SUNY Cobleskill in agricultural pathways and from FMCC in areas including business, computer information systems, health studies and electrical technology.
To open the fourth annual PTECH Completion Ceremony, student Brooke Nellis sang the national anthem. Students Alejandro Christopher, who is entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Marco Kranjcec-Aird, who is entering the U.S. National Guard, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Executive Director of the Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie Counties Workforce Development Board Gail Breen, who mentored many of the students during their time at PTECH, was the featured speaker.
Four student speakers — Siew Goh, Megan Dion, Loretta Newcomer and Nicholas Brasmeister — also took the stage to share parting words with their fellow students.
During the ceremony, each student was recognized for their accomplishments during their time in the PTECH program and received a plaque.
Principal Matt Davis also presented retiring Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst with a plaque honoring her for her hard work and dedication to the program.
The following students were honored for completing the PTECH program during the 2020-21 academic year:
Frank Alvarez is from the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District and has earned his degree in Business Administration from FMCC. He plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Siena College. His long-term goal is to work in investment banking.
Jonas Barkevich is from the Amsterdam school district and has earned his degree in Health Studies from FMCC. He plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in psychology at SUNY Albany.
Nicholas Brasmeister is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and has earned his degree in Electrical Technology from FMCC. He is employed as an Operations Specialist at Beech-Nut. His long-term plans are to get into an apprenticeship program and possibly pursue a degree in education.
Alejandro Christopher is from the Amsterdam school district and has earned his degree in Electrical Technology from FMCC, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate in that degree program. AJ is our first graduate to successfully complete this degree program in 4 years, which is a testament to his hard work and fortitude. He is planning to continue his education in the U.S Coast Guard Academy as electrical engineering major. Long-term he’d like to serve in the Coast Guard for 20 years and then work in the private sector as an electrical engineer.
Haley Clear is from the Fonda-Fultonville School District and has earned her degree in Agricultural Science from SUNY Cobleskill. She plans to attend SUNY Oswego and major in Zoology and Art Illustration. Her long-term goal is to work in animal conservation.
Kristiana Cowan is from the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District and received her degree in Animal Industry from SUNY Cobleskill in December 2020. She will attend SUNY Oneonta to earn her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and then plans to pursue her master’s degree to become an elementary school teacher.
Megan Dion is a student from the Mayfield Central School District and has earned her degree from SUNY Cobleskill in Agricultural Science. She plans to continue her education at Cobleskill and major in Animal Science/Pre-vet with the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
Luke Doxtater is from the Fort Plain Central School District and has earned his degree in Computer Information Systems from FMCC. He plans to continue his education at SUNY Polytechnic to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering.
Adam Feagles is from the Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville School District and earned his degree in Animal Industry from SUNY Cobleskill in December 2020. He is using his skills in the farming industry as a working member of his family’s business, Feagles Farm.
Siew Goh is from the Greater Johnstown School District and has earned her associate degree from FMCC in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity. She is planning to attend the College of Saint Rose to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity with an accelerated master’s degree in Computer Science. Her goal is to join law enforcement for digital/cyber forensics.
Noah Handy is from Mayfield Central School District and is receiving his degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from FMCC. He plans to join the local workforce, and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in either cybersecurity or computer engineering.
Jackson Haverly is from the Greater Johnstown School District. He earned his degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from FMCC, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate in that degree program. He plans to attend SUNY Polytechnic in Utica, where he’ll pursue his bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. Long term, Jackson wants to continue onto his master’s degree and then get a job in cybersecurity with a defense contractor or government agency.
Tyler Henderson of the Amsterdam school district received his degree in Agricultural Business from SUNY Cobleskill in December 2020. He now attends the Modern Welding School in Schenectady.
Rebecca Hillman is from the Gloversville Enlarged School District and earned her degree in Business Administration from FMCC in December 2020. She is attending Bryant and Stratton College to pursue her bachelor’s degree in General Management.
Hailey Hunter is from the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District and has earned her associate degree in Health Studies from FMCC. She is planning to go into the medical field following graduation, and she hopes to continue to advance herself in that line of work.
Danion Jonker is from the Canajoharie Central School District and has earned his degree in Agriculture Power Machinery from SUNY Cobleskill. He is pursuing employment in construction and heavy equipment.
Michelle Joyce is from the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District and earned her degree in Agricultural Animal Industry from SUNY Cobleskill. She plans to continue her education in the near future with an open mind to opportunities that lie ahead.
William “Lynus” Kane is from the Greater Johnstown School District and has earned his degree in Computer Information Systems from FMCC. Lynus plans to enter the workforce after graduation and pursue a career in computer networking.
Cheyenne Kelly is from the Canajoharie school district and has earned her associate degree from FMCC in Health Studies. She is planning to attend Hartwick College to major in biology with a pre-physician’s assistant track. Her ultimate goal is to become a pathologist and work in disease control.
Marco Kranjcec-Aird is from the Wells Central School District and has earned his degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from FMCC. He plans to complete his military training in the Army National Guard and then pursue his bachelor’s degree at SUNY Albany.
Shain Krutz is from the Greater Johnstown School District and has earned his degree in Computer Information Systems from FMCC. He is planning to attend SUNY Brockport to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Hunter LaCelle is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and has earned his degree in Computer Information Systems from FMCC. He plans to enter the workforce in the IT field.
Matthew LaPort is from the Northville Central School District and has earned his degree in Computer Information Systems from FMCC. He plans to enter the workforce with an eye toward working at Global Foundries.
Marjorie Logan is from the Amsterdam school district and has earned her degree in Health Studies from FMCC. She plans to continue on to the nursing program at FMCC with a goal of working at a local hospital in the future.
Xavier Maldonado is from Mayfield Central School District and earned his degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from FMCC. He plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Networking at SUNY Polytechnic.
Destiny Medrano is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and has earned her degree in Business Management from FMCC. She plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at SUNY Albany and then start her own business.
Cameron Morrison is from the Gloversville Enlarged School District and earned his degree in Business Management from FMCC. He is employed full-time at Walmart Distribution Center in Johnstown and recently was employee of the month. Cameron also plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Brooke Nellis is from the Greater Johnstown School District and has earned her degree in Health Studies from FMCC. She is planning to continue her education at FMCC in the nursing program. Her long-term goal is to become a certified nurse midwife.
Loretta Newcomer is from the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District and has earned her degree in Agricultural Science from SUNY Cobleskill. She is joining the New York Army National Guard to train to become an Unmanned Aerial System Operator, which is a drone pilot.
Star Pacillo is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and is receiving her degree in Agricultural Business from SUNY Cobleskill. She is planning to enter the military after graduation to explore the career possibilities.
Joshua Peck is from the Greater Johnstown School District and earned his degree in Electrical Technology from FMCC. He plans to attend SUNY Polytechnic to major in Nanoscale Engineering and then continue on to get his master’s degree in the science field.
Elijah Pereicich is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and has earned his degree in Business Management from FMCC. He plans to move to Colorado to go to trade school, and long-term, would like to rebuild homes and manage rental properties.
Kristen Quist is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and earned her degree in Animal Industry from SUNY Cobleskill. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Canine Training and Management from SUNY Cobleskill.
William Schoff is from the OESJ school district and is receiving his degree in Electrical Technology from FMCC. He plans to serve in the U.S. Army for the next 6 years.
Abigail Skaine is from the Broadalbin-Perth Central School district and earned her degree in Animal Industry from SUNY Cobleskill. She is planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology.
Destiny Stewart is from the Canajoharie Central School District and is receiving her degree in Business Administration from FMCC. She will pursue her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at SUNY Empire.
Aaliyah Van Allen is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and earned her degree in Business Administration from FMCC in December 2020. She is continuing her education at SUNY Albany to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.
Tyanna Van Allen is from the Greater Amsterdam School District and earned her degree in Health Studies from FMCC in December 2020. She received the Distinguished Graduate Award in her degree program. She is attending SUNY New Paltz to earn her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then plans to pursue her Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Counseling.
Megan VanNostrand is from the Northville Central School District and has earned her degree in Health Studies from FMCC. Megan will work as an emergency medical technician for the Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She plans to apply for a nursing program in the near future.
