June 2006 Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Students Recognized at Annual Achievement Ceremony
The arrival of warm, summer weather brings graduations and recognition ceremonies, including the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center’s 35th annual Achievement Ceremony held at the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston. This year, 415 high school and 135 adult students representing over 30 career fields were recognized for their academic achievements. During this event, approximately 100 scholarships and awards were also presented to students.
The featured guest speaker was former Career & Technical Electrical Construction student, Lance Woodworth, who is an electrician with LaCorte Electric in Albany, spoke candidly to the candidates about being prepared for entering the world of employment. “You are entering a workforce…you’ve shown that you are ready after working and studying here at Ulster BOCES for the past two years. Continue to work hard, persevere, and have patience. If you work hard and do what you have to do—you’ll have healthy, happy lives.”
The class valedictorian, a Graphic Visual Arts-Multi Media Arts student from Saugerties High School, addressed the audience. “I feel that being at Ulster BOCES is a potential guide that few take advantage of,” she remarked. “The teachers here are amazing. It’s because of their support that I stand here before you today. I remember when I first came to Ulster BOCES; I was the shyest person. Through this school, I made a ton of friends. In the future, those friends will be my support and what’s life without moral support?” She encouraged the students to continue on in a positive direction now that they have completed high school, and then left them with a quote from John Greenleaf Whittier, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.’” She then reminded the students, “We have so much more to do.”
Howard Korn, director of Career & Technical Education and Adult Services at Ulster BOCES congratulated the Class of 2006. “Our teachers are the greatest asset our school has to offer our students,” began Korn, before speaking to the students about the important role education plays in today’s workforce. “In an economy where leadership and technology determines winners, education trumps everything. Education is the answer. The only way to compete in this world is to have the most educated workforce in the world. As Career & Technical Center graduates, you have experienced the first step…you have improved your employability,” said Korn. “I feel very optimistic about our future,” he announced to the audience. “Take a look at the Class of 2006—the future leaders of the world. Aren’t they remarkable? Congratulations.”
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