Forty students from nine HFM area school districts were honored as program completers during the sixth annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony on Tuesday, May 23 at the HFM BOCES campus.
In her speech to the Class of 2023, HFM PTECH Principal Celeste Keane told the students that being a completer is no small accomplishment.
“Many of you faced down mountains of obstacles and nay-sayers, and you won,” remarked a jubilant Keane.
PTECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, is a 6-year program that aims to look and function like a hybrid between college and the workplace. It emphasizes individualized pathways to completion, workplace experiences, mentorship, in-depth project-based learning and real-world experiences.
Students that completed the program earned all of their high school credits, meeting the New York State requirements for a Regents Diploma and they also completed the required coursework for associate degrees in various programs at either SUNY Fulton Montgomery Community College or SUNY Cobleskill at no cost to their families.
The ceremony also included speeches from HFM BOCES Board President, Dr. Harry Brooks, HFM BOCES District Superintendent and CEO, Dr. David Ziskin, and student speakers.
Ashley Capobianco, from Townsend Leather in Johnstown, was the guest speaker. SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Dan Fogarty was also on hand to honor the PTECH students for whom FMCC bestowed special recognition.
In her closing remarks of the evening, Principal Keane wished the students well in their future endeavors.
“Best wishes on this journey we call life, keep growing, keep learning, and keep doing. I challenge all of you to keep making the impossible possible. If anyone can do it, it’s you!”
Other highlights of the ceremony included:
The National Anthem was performed by Kirsten Draper. Ryan More led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Individual student speeches were given by Nicole Wendolski, Aidan David, and Isaiah Berg.
The following students received scholarships and awards: Nicole Wendolski (HFM BOCES Teachers’ Association Scholarship), Ashlee Shang (Amsterdam Professional Firefighter’s Scholarship and Triple C Award), Isaiah Berg (Triple C Award), Jaidyn Chest (Community Service Scholarship), Keara Rowland (American Legion Legacy Scholarship), Dominick Pinto and Benjamin Vroman (FMCC’s Civility in the Classroom Award).
The following students were named Distinguished Graduates in their academic programs by FMCC: Keara Rowland (Addiction Services), Kirsten Draper (Computer Information Systems), Alexander Cwiakala (Computer Networking and Cybersecurity), Benjamin Vroman (Media Arts & Digital Technology), and Jaidyn Chest (Health Studies).
The following students were honored for having a cumulative average of 90% or higher throughout every semester of their PTECH career: Ethan Blood, Abigail Brown, Jaidyn Chest, Alexander Cwaikala, Aidan David, Kirsten Draper, Hannah Maxson, Jakob McConville, Dominick Pinto, Keara Rowland, Alexandria Rouse, Ashlee Shang, Benjamin Vroman, Nicole Wendolski, Lilia White.
The following students have earned their New York State Regents diplomas and their associate degrees from SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College, hereby completing the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES PTECH program: Ethan Blood, Abigail Christine Brown, Jaidyn Chest, Patrick J. Clemence, Alexander Cwiakala, Brooke Ann Delgado, Kirsten Draper, Luz Fox, Olivia Katherine Jones, Giovanni Eugenio Kane, Joshua Kempf, William F. Lander III, Hannah Maxson, Jakob McConville, Riley McDonald, Ryan More, Katelyn Nash, Dominick Pinto, Alexandria Rouse, Keara Rowland, Ali Saad, Ashlee Shang, Montana Sheroka, Dylan Staats, Benjamin Vroman, Nicole Alexandria Wendolski, Lilia White, Sydney A. Yates.
The following students have earned their New York State Regents diplomas and their associate degrees from SUNY Cobleskill, hereby completing the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES PTECH program: Isaiah Berg, Jeb Brundage, Shawna Darrow, Aidan Anthony David, Gavin C. Duesler, Makayla Kersting, Rhiannon Marrone, Aimee Lynn Morse, Tatiana Myers, Travis Nelson, Blake Alexander Pope, Zachary Stephen Tierney.
PTECH completers and family members interact after the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
A group of PTECH completers pose for a picture with teacher Rodney Schuyler after the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
Isaiah Berg of Mayfield Central School speaks during the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
Aidan David delivers shares some advice with his fellow classmates during the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
Nicole Wendolski of Greater Johnstown School District addresses her fellow classmates at the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
Ashley Capobianco of Townsend Leather delivers her speech during the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
Kirsten Draper sings the National Anthem at the start of the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
HFM PTECH Principal Celeste Keane congratulates the HFM PTECH program completers while audience members look on.
HFM BOCES Board of Education Harry Brooks addresses the crowd during the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony
HFM District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin says a few words to the program completers at the 6th annual HFM PTECH Completion Ceremony.
