Young professionals from around our region who are enrolled in the Ulster BOCES Career Pathways program were honored during a special ceremony highlighting their accomplishments on June 2 at Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87. This included those receiving scholarships, and those who participated in internships during the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, the event also honored the businesses, organizations, and community members who fund the scholarships, take on interns, and support these amazing scholars in pursuing their future career paths.  

The ceremony featured 37 young professionals from the Class of 2026 who received more than $30,000 in scholarships. Several of the 22 generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed a total of 42 awards were in attendance.  These funds help jump-start graduates into the next stage of their career, whether it be continuing their education, or purchasing tools and equipment needed for their profession. 

Another highlight included the signing of Letters of Intent between interns and the business partners who have committed to extending the internship or, in some cases, employing the intern upon graduation. Business partners were also recognized for their continued support of the Ulster BOCES Workplace Learning program. There were 415 internships, 79 of which were paid internships averaging over $16,000 per week combined, with the remaining being experiential or clinical. As these numbers continue to grow year after year, Ulster BOCES is proving to be an economic development engine for Ulster County and the Hudson Valley.

Those honored included students from Ellenville High School, Highland High School, Kingston High School, New Paltz High School, Onteora High School, Rondout Valley High School, Saugerties High School, and Wallkill High School. We appreciate the support from our local business community and industry partners, and we extend our congratulations to all our scholarship recipients!

Class of 2026 SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Anduin Witter Memorial Award
Wyatt Morinico - Transitional Occupations Program Academy, EHS

Benson Steel Fabricators Awards
Bryan Pettit - Welding and Metal Fabrication, SHS
Alex Preciado - Welding and Metal Fabrication, KHS

Esopus Business Alliance
Ruben Derisse - New Visions Robotics and Engineering, KHS

Gene HAAS Foundation Scholarships
HAAS Automation
Natalie Winrow - Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, HVPA, KHS
Jacob Frost - Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, HVPA, KHS
Miguel Caba - Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, PTECH, EHS

Highland Rotary Club
John Jankiewicz Memorial Scholarships
Michael Grant- Small Engine Mechanics Repair, HHS
Ely Meneses - Cosmetology, HHS
Ryan Davies - Finance Academy,  HHS
Kyle Menezes, New Visions Robotics and Engineering, HHS

International Association of Electrical Inspectors Award 
(Adirondack Hudson Chapter)
Daccota Gutierezz - Electrical Construction, RVHS

Jeff Lowe Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Scholarship
Lauren Jameson - HVAC, NPHS

JWU Future Foods Scholarship Program Recipient- Sweet Side
Evan LeSuer - Culinary Arts, KHS

Ken Sikula Memorial Scholarship
Angel Perez - Electrical Construction, WHS

Lisa Sillins Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Kothe - New Visions Health, OHS

Matthew R. Spiconardi Memorial Scholarship
My Alternative Transportation Tonight, Inc. (M.A.T.T.)
Ariel Ochoa - Auto Collision Technology, WHS

National Technical Honor Society
Jon H. Poteat Scholarship
Evan LeSuer - Culinary Arts, KHS
Anne Philippe-Auguste - Health Occupations Exploration Program, KHS
Colton Parese - New Visions Health, KHS

New Paltz Rotary Club
Doing Good in the World Awards 
Kelsey Hacker - New Visions Health, NPHS
Yoel Rosales - Cisco & Cybersecurity, NPHS

Renewables and Energy Efficiency Scholarship
Landyn Pietras - HVAC, WHS

Rotary Club of Kingston Scholarships
Gavin Culjak, Welding and Metal Fabrication, KHS
Aliana Ramsay, Cisco & Cybersecurity, KHS

Saugerties Antique Auto Club
Jack McFadden Memorial Scholarship
William Pettit - Automotive Technology, SHS

Shawangunk Snowmobile & Rescue Club Awards
Shyann Diaz - New Visions Health, EHS
Morgan Hicks - Law & Public Service, KHS
Kurtis Owens - Small Engine Mechanics Repair, KHS
Gianna Styles - New Visions Health, KHS
Samuel Woolsey - Criminal Justice, OHS

The Conrad Moore Automotive Excellence Scholarship
Adam Balutowski - Automotive Technology, NPHS

Triple "C” Award , Office of the Attorney General
Leytza Estela Bonilla - Health Occupations Exploration Program, WHS
Yesenia Aguayo - Fashion Design and Merchandising, SHS

Ulster BOCES Teaching Assistants’ and Aides’ Organization Awards
Gavin Culjak, Welding and Metal Fabrication, KHS
Zoe Tranter, Fashion Design and Merchandising, NPHS

Ulster BOCES Teacher’s Organization Scholarship
Aliana Ramsay, Cisco & Cybersecurity, KHS

Ulster BOCES United Employees Organization Award
Leytza Estela Bonilla - Health Occupations Exploration Program, WHS
Yesenia Aguayo - Fashion Design and Merchandising, SHS