Cheers reverberated throughout the packed Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) on Broadway in Kingston during the recent Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center’s 31st annual Achievement Ceremony. At the ceremony, 405 candidates representing over 30 career fields celebrated the completion of requirements to enter college or become skilled professionals in the workforce. Over 334 high school and 71 adult students participated in the ceremony. In addition, over 89 students received scholarships and awards.
Harry Phillips III, a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He addressed the students in the audience, “We share a planet with six-and-a-half billion other people and half go to bed every night hungry. You are privileged people. You will go on to give back to America. America needs your technical skills, your creative skills....” Phillips urged students to set a goal, “Then fix on that goal, and never give up, never give up, never give up!”
Tyler of Kingston City Schools Consolidated, a student in the Career & Technical Center’s Computer Design & Manufacturing program, delivered the valedictory address. “This school year has been one we will remember for the rest of our lives. On September 11, as we began our senior year, terrorists made an attack on our country. Even though our spirits were not broken, this was one of the hardest things we had to deal with. It is up to us to overcome this fear and through constant work, we will overcome it,” stated Hofler. “This Career & Technical Center is a jump start into American business. It’s a small step into a journey of hope.”
In closing, Tyler stated, “I will always value the work ethic that was taught to me by my community. It is important to remember that the person who mops the floor is no less important than the person who is practicing medicine. The events of this school year proved the most important asset we have is each other.”
A highlight of the Achievement Ceremony was when the Master of Ceremonies, James McNulty, a Technical Communications instructor at the Career & Technical Center, read and then presented a special resolution, signed by New York State Senator John Bonacic and Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, to Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Martin Ruglis and to Board of Education president Donald Greene. The resolution was read and then the “Fighting 100” – a group of 100 students who participated in the national High Schools That Work (HSTW) initiative, were recognized and congratulated for their outstanding efforts.
The HSTW initiative is a framework of goals and 10 Key Practices that are offered for high schools to follow that enables them to provide improved academic, as well as career and technical, instruction. It is the HSTW belief that most students can learn complex academic and technical concepts if they are taught in an effective learning environment.
“The greatest gift our school has to offer our students is our teachers,” said Howard Korn, director of the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center. “We have confidence and respect in our students. We have high expectations of our students. The Career & Technical Center looks so good because these are first class students. Be honest. Be hard working. Be dedicated to your work. The September 11 tragedies awakened us to how fragile life is. Be full of integrity; live life to its fullest. The best of life to each of you.”
Quick Clicks
Contacts