The HFM Career and Technical Center honored 268 high school seniors at its annual Student Recognition Program Tuesday, June 18 awarding certificates of completion and special awards to CTC students in the Fulton-Montgomery Community College gymnasium.
HFM Career and Technical Director Jay A. DeTraglia awards Dr. Dustin Swanger, retiring president of Fulton-Montgomery Community College, a certificate in recognition of his longtime partnership working with HFM BOCES.
HFM Career and Technical Director Jay A. DeTraglia opened the ceremony remarking that the supportive crowd of family, friends, faculty and administrators was the largest he’s seen during his 14 years as director. DeTraglia thanked everyone for coming and recognized members of the BOCES Board of Education, BOCES and school district staff, and Dr. David Ziskin, the next HFM BOCES District Superintendent, who were all in attendance at the event.
Dr. Dustin Swanger, who will retire from FMCC at the end of July after serving 13 years as president, delivered the event’s keynote address.
Swanger spoke of how people can touch each other’s lives in large and small ways often without even knowing it.
“You see, one interaction with someone – maybe even a brief interaction that to you seems meaningless – can have a profound impact on someone’s life,” Swanger said. “As you start your adult life, you can decide how you want to approach the world and the people in it. Do you want to treat everyone as an annoyance or as a person? Do you want to help people have a better day or assure that they feel badly? Do you want to contribute to our community or tear it down? These are decisions that you will make every day as you go to college, go to work, go to the store or anywhere. How will you treat your fellow human beings?”
Swanger urged the students to become the type of person that makes someone’s day a little better.
“You have achieved a milestone today. One of education. With it, you can open many doors and you have many options. Take advantage of them. Stand tall, do good work, and be kind. With that, you will go far,” he said.
Special Awards
During the ceremony, several special awards were presented to students including:
HFM Superintendents’ Association Award – presented to Nalysia K. Santiago of Gloversville and Massimo D. DiCaprio of Fonda-Fultonville.
Johnathon A. Funk, of Broadalbin-Perth HFM BOCES Teachers’ Association Award.
Dr. Geoffrey H. Davis Memorial Award (CTC Director Jay DeTraglia presents this award in honor of the late Dr. Davis in recognition of scholarship, community service, integrity and the transforming influence of music) – presented to Katelyn Babiarz of Fonda-Fultonville and Robert Lake III of Adirondack Academy.
HFM BOCES Outstanding Professional Student Award – presented to Arthur C. Ausfeld, III of Amsterdam and Makenna G. Grady of Fonda-Fultonville.
HFM BOCES Teachers’ Association Award – presented to Johnathon A. Funk and Emma M. Wellspeak, both of Broadalbin-Perth.
Ben Conte “Pay It Forward” Scholarship Award – presented to Casey J. Watson of Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville.
American Red Cross Scholarship Award – presented to Emma Ruth Kilmer of Johnstown.
Fulton County Health Scholarship Award (Medical Assisting) – presented to Alexandria X. Evens of Mayfield and Bracie Belle Vose of Johnstown.
Fulton County Health Scholarship Award (New Visions Health) – presented to Taryn LaFontaine of Mayfield and Olivia Margaret Weiderman of Johnstown.
ACTEA Thomas A. Olivo Leadership Award – presented to Josephine M. Wood of Gloversville.
The Cubby Faville Memorial Scholarship Award – presented to Kaleb J. Horning of Fort Plain.
Emma M. Wellspeak, of Broadalbin-Perth, HFM BOCES Teachers’ Association Award.
National Technical Honor Society
The 2019 inductees in the National Technical Honor Society were also recognized during the event. The inductees are:
Amsterdam
Lauren N. Adair, Sarah Jordan Ahmed-Weidman, Arthur C. Ausfeld, III, Willie McKenzie Corley, III, Michael Dybas, Tori Gonputh, Ariana Gonzalez, Nadiya Rochelle Green, Lilian J. Orengo, Isabella Sofia Porter, Jaydeep Rathore and Hannah Nicole Skotarczak
Broadalbin-Perth
Kody A. Dominique, Kelsey Rae Mosher, Bryant S. Palmer and Savannah M. Stockigt
Canajoharie
Connor K. Baker, Gabrielle J. Betts, Megan May, and Garrett Oeser
Robert Lake III of Adirondack Academy receives the Dr. Geoffrey H. Davis Memorial Award.
Fonda-Fultonville
Katelyn Babiarz, Nathanial P. Colletti, Massimo D. DiCaprio, Taylor M. Etherton, Makenna G. Grady, Cassey L. Knowlton, Alphonso J. Mancini
Fort Plain
Michelle Reese
Gloversville
Sebah Alak, Marissa S .. Brick, Nikeanna G. Coger, Libby G. Cook, Kaylee S. Hotaling, Austin J. Oare, Nalysia K. Santiago, Andre K. Storto, and Chloe M. VanHoesen
Johnstown
Benjamin J. Blackford, Abigail Grace Gottung, Emma Ruth Kilmer, Bracie Belle Vose, Taylor A. Vose and Olivia Margaret Weiderman
Northville
MacKenzie Cramer
Oppenheim Ephratah-St. Johnsville
Casey J. Watson
Wells
Hugh G. Farber, Sierra Sophia Mauro
Katelyn Babiarz of Fonda-Fultonville receives the Dr. Geoffrey H. Davis Memorial Award.
Casey Watson of OESJ receives the Ben Conte Pay it Forward Award.
Josephine M. Wood of Gloversville receives the ACTEA Thomas A. Olivo Leadership Award.
