What is Ulster BOCES?
Vincent Delgado

Ulster BOCES means different things to different people. To Behbod (Bob) and Shawn-Amy (formerly Waterman) Bazargan, Ulster BOCES is an invaluable community asset that helped prepare them for success in school and in their college studies. Their high school experience at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center helped launch Shawn-Amy into a rewarding healthcare career, and gave Bob hands-on experience and training in an area he held a genuine interest.

Bob and Shawn-Amy first learned about Ulster BOCES through their guidance counselors at Kingston High School (KHS). “The counselors interview students at various times to get a feel for your interests and potential career paths and then advise you of options that exist,” states Shawn-Amy. A longstanding avid interest in the medical field, combined with a desire to help others, prompted Shawn-Amy to start her journey down the road to a healthcare career by attending Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) classes in 1992.

One year later, the Automotive Technology program caught Bob’s interest. “I have always enjoyed cars and in learning how the mechanical aspects of the vehicles work and how to repair and maintain them.” The training program would not be the only thing that caught Bob’s eye at Ulster BOCES. That same year, a mutual friend who also attended Ulster BOCES would introduce him to his future wife. “We went to the senior prom together and we have never parted from each other since,” Shawn-Amy fondly recalls.

The Bazargans found the practical training Ulster BOCES offers its students appealing. “The hands-on experience and learning all of the appropriate procedures to maintain and repair a vehicle was invaluable,” states Bob. They also credit the Ulster BOCES instructors for contributing to their successful learning and preparation for college. “I definitely feel Joseph Huben (Ulster BOCES New Visions Health Careers instructor) and Robin Beveridge (former LPN instructor) gave me a great foundation to prepare me for the first step in nursing as an LPN, which then greatly assisted me in college for the RN nursing program,” offers Shawn-Amy.

After they graduated from KHS in June 1994, Shawn-Amy continued her education at SUNY Ulster in the Registered Nurse program, earning her RN license in 1998. Bob attended SUNY New Paltz, where he received his master of business administration (MBA) degree. He pursued a career in banking while continuing to utilize the skills he learned in the Ulster BOCES Automotive Technology program, which has been a great cost-savings to the couple on the maintenance of their vehicles. “Cars have always been my hobby,” states Bob. “I still do most of the maintenance work on both my wife's and my own car.”

The high school sweethearts were married on October 12, 2002 and still reside in Kingston. They now have a three-year-old daughter Lili, who Shawn-Amy says, “Is our love and joy.” The Bazargans are also expecting their second child in September of this year.

Today, Bob is the vice president for a large European bank in Westchester County, while Shawn-Amy is a case manager for Northern Dutchess Hospital. In her position, she sees all patients admitted to the hospital, assesses the patients, anticipates a plan prior to discharge, and coordinates all aspects of the patients’ care.

“The skills that I acquired in the Ulster BOCES LPN program absolutely provided the foundation and preparation for me to exceed in the RN program, as well as in the work field today,” claims Shawn-Amy. For now, however, she has temporarily placed her career on “the back burner” to work on a part-time basis as she and her family prepare for the birth of their next child. “My family is my first priority always,” says Shawn-Amy, who does hope to one day return to college to obtain her master’s degree in nursing, as well as pursue her interest in massage therapy.

For the Bazargans, Ulster BOCES is a valuable community asset they both are very happy they had the opportunity to attend. Although Bob did not pursue a career in his area of study, he still feels he benefited greatly from the experience. “Ulster BOCES gave me a chance to further enjoy my hobby and has saved me time and money by giving me the skills to maintain and repair most problems that arise with my vehicles,” claims Bob. “It is good to know that such programs are available in the community for other people to enjoy or to begin their career path.” Shawn-Amy agrees with her husband. “I feel Ulster BOCES was a stepping stone for me to continue and advance my career in the healthcare field. I am greatly appreciative of all I've learned and the skills I acquired through Ulster BOCES. I am glad that other people in our society have access to such a great place so they, too, can further their careers.”