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.
Spotlight on Alumni
Ulster BOCES-trained young professionals Levi Peterson and Tyler Bradley spent much of their senior year of high school as paid electrical construction interns with National Resources, a real estate and investment firm that is currently renovating the former IBM site in Kingston to become the future home of the Ulster BOCES Career Pathways Academies at iPark 87.
Cosmo McIntosh, a recent graduate of the Saugerties Central School District who
completed the Ulster BOCES Small Engine Mechanics Repair program, earned third place in the Motorcycle Technician category at the SkillsUSA national competition. The event, which was held from June 24-28, took place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Ulster BOCES Auto Collision Technology program students–or “young professionals” as they are referred to around the school building as a nod to their growing skills–gave a new look to some old faces–table faces, that is.
The project aims to refresh old, beat-up wooden classroom work tables by sanding them down, varnishing them, and adding a bit of school spirit by incorporating the Ulster BOCES logo. The revamped tables, six which have been completed so far, have been returned to their original classrooms where they will be ready for everyone to admire when they return from the summer vacation. Twenty additional tables are slated to be refinished in the upcoming school year.
Ulster BOCES Transitional Occupation Program (TOP A) students–or “young professionals” as they are referred to around the school building–have been catering to the Ulster BOCES school community and beyond, using skills they have developed through practice, professional learning, implementation, and assessment.
The Ulster BOCES TOP A program is geared towards young people in Grades 9-12 who may struggle with academics and motivation, but who possess the ability to comply with directions effectively enough to build pro-technical and employability skills. The program is designed to maximize the time the young professionals spend performing hands-on work in jobs, trade areas, and field locations, leading to more advanced technical program participation or an effective transition from school to work.
The Ulster BOCES Fashion Design & Merchandising (FDM) program hosted its seventh annual Fashion Exhibition in June. In addition to an exciting fashion show, the event featured informative interactive displays, an inspirational photo exhibit, a dramatic “Lookbook” cover reveal, and even an array of delicious treats expertly catered by the Ulster BOCES Culinary Arts program.
Over the past school year, Ulster BOCES has placed more young professionals in internships than ever before. On June 12, both young professionals and business partners were recognized at an event held in the Mohonk Mountain House Pavilion. This celebration marks the culmination of dedication, growth, and achievement for Ulster BOCES interns and the deep commitment and support the business partners have provided them.
Ten young professionals from the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center came home with medals from the New York State SkillsUSA competition held at the Syracuse Fairgrounds in late April. The Ulster County competitors faced off against thousands of students from over 60 high schools throughout the state, competing in technical, trade, and leadership events. The young professionals also networked with their peers, as well as business and industry professionals.