The future of Georgia Maritsas, a former young professional of the Ulster BOCES Transitional Occupation Program (TOP A) who graduated from Kingston City School District in 2024, is in the bag–a granola bag, that is. Since completing the program in June, Georgia has successfully launched a local business selling her own healthy granola mixture, known as Georgia’s Organic Granola. The product can currently be found on the shelves of Adams Fairacre Farms in Kingston, NY, and at the Phoenicia Market. 

The TOP A program—which helps students in Grades 9-12 who may struggle academically to transition from school to the workforce or to participate in more advanced technical programs—was an essential ingredient in Georgia’s success in the marketplace.

Prior to enrolling in TOP A in fall of 2023, Georgia had not thrived academically due to her autism diagnosis, which is accompanied by a number of sensory issues. After joining the Ulster BOCES community, she proceeded to gain self-assurance as well as new skills through TOP A’s hands-on learning experiences, including essential culinary skills such as kitchen hygiene and safety, measuring, and serving. She, along with her TOP A classmates, also participated in an internship at Bread Alone’s commercial bakery in Lake Katrine, where she helped to prepare bread, pastries, and bagels. 

By the end of the school year, Georgia saw marked improvements in her ability to measure and to handle hot kitchen equipment–skills that she had previously found difficult to master because of her sensory issues and impaired depth perception. Georgia also opened up socially, she said, forging strong friendships with her TOP A classmates. 

In recognition of her accomplishments at Ulster BOCES, Georgia was awarded the Anduin Witter Memorial Award grant. Since she had no immediate plans to attend college, she and her mother, Maria Maritsas, decided to use the money to finance a dream Georgia had–to start her own food-related business. 

To that end, the mother/daughter team sowed the award money back into the local economy at Mother Earth’s Health Food Store in Ulster, purchasing 50 pounds of nuts and oats. Georgia laughed, remembering the piles of ingredient boxes on their kitchen table. “It was a lot!” she said.

The food industry was a natural choice for Georgia, whose parents own and operate a local eatery, Dallas Hot Weiners in Kingston. Georgia chose to make her granola with wholesome ingredients that are minimally processed. She labels the bags, measures the ingredients, and mixes the small-batch product, making 18 bags per week. The mixture is gluten-free, and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Reflecting on Georgia’s successful–albeit non-traditional–educational and career journey, her mother said, “I hope Georgia’s path inspires another parent to think outside the box regarding what can be done for their children.” 

TOP A instructor Michael Petty is thoroughly impressed by what Georgia has accomplished. Chef Petty recalled that when he first met Georgia, she was somewhat unsure of herself, especially around the kitchen equipment. “But over time, I witnessed an incredible transformation,” he said. “Georgia grew more independent and began stepping out of her comfort zone, gaining confidence with every challenge she faced.” 

Another milestone, Petty said, was when Georgia stepped on stage to accept the Anduin Witter Memorial Award. “I watched her walk to the stage with poise, and in that moment, I knew without a doubt that Georgia could accomplish anything she set her mind to,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to watch her grow, and I'm excited to see how she continues to rise to the challenges ahead.” 

“Georgia is a remarkable young lady,” added Ulster BOCES Assistant Director of Career Pathways Programs Joseph Salamone. “I am continually impressed by what our TOP A program graduates are accomplishing in the world after leaving us. Ulster BOCES offers an education that truly helps our young professionals become future ready.”