More than 200 to graduate from Adult Education and Literacy programs

More than 200 adult graduates of OCM BOCES' adult education programs will be recognized for their accomplishments in the organization's annual Adult Education graduation ceremony to be held Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena (4585 W Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse). The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. The public and media are invited to attend.

Graduate Mamie Pinkston (pictured) will speak about her personal and educational struggles that led her to OCM BOCES. The Augusta, Georgia, native came to OCM BOCES in 2012 and, despite many obstacles, successfully completed the National External Diploma Program this year.

The following students are among those being recognized for their accomplishments:

Kailyn Aanonsen, Darius Adjei, Cory Anthony, James Antonacci, Andrew Babbitt, Paul Barbagallo, Damian Bartowski, Mieya Baxtron, Kristie Beaulieu, David Binet, Sarah Bivens, Amanda Braley, Chris Brothers, Rachelle Brown, Cathy Brown, Norman Bryant, Jaylon Butler, Ruth Cadwell, Anthony Camardella, Nicholas Carno, Brenda Casnave, Porcha Chairs, Alex Charland, Shantea Chatman, Jordanne Conklin, Brandon Conway, Nisa Cooper, Patrick Culeton, Dalton Curinga, Krystal Curry, Taylor Dahlin, Shantise Davis, Timothy Deblois, Joseph Demar, Douglas Dever, Landon Dietz, Spencer Dino, Christopher Dolce, Anja Donohgue, Miranda Edlin, Tammi English, Christophe Ennis, Donna Fairbrother, David Foley, Joseph Freitag, Kristina Gilman, John Giuseppetti, Joseph Goldthwait, Lori Goodall, Russell Gribnau, Cortny Hanke, Katelynn Hanson, Ieshia Hardy, Jericka Harke, Erica Hart, Tabatha Hemingway, Yolanda Hemphill, Jonathon Hess, Matthew Hilliker, Nicole Holder, Ashlee Hunt, Kathleen Hurry, Jonathan Hurst, Heather James, Kenneth Jamison, Magic Johnston, Wyatt Kaljeskie, Samantha Kastler, Karen Khammar, Brianna Kite, Larissa Knodel, Erik Kurz, Matthew Lagrow, Kara Lawn, Vicki Lawrence, Alissa Leeman, Samantha Lindgren, Brittany Lloyd, Sara Lopedito, Tyler Lowe, Katherine Lowengard, Brian Magruder, Aaron Malay, David Mallon, Valerie Marr, Phillip Mattiaccio, Robert McGregor, Quiana Mcmillan, Lisa Melendez, Stanley Memmelaar, Edith Mendoza, Travis Michaud, Michelle Mourey, Ashley Nguyen, William O'Donnell, Jesse Olcott, Tahisha Osbourne, Bobby Paige, Adam Partin, Brandi Pendergast, Michael Perry, Sonya Perun, Mamie Pinkston, Jake Pizzi, Kelsea Pop, Everett Presley, Jeffrey Proper, Christopher Prusinowski, Carlos Ramos, Megan Renicker, Chyna Robinson, Patrick Rogers, Justin Ryan, Albert Sanz, Liesl Schanz, Reed Schuster, Rebecca Scott, Michael Shelley, Bradley Short, Alexis Sincerbeaux, Stephanie Smith, Erin Soldo, Seth Spadter, Victoria Sparks, Genevieve Spencer, Mark Squadrito, Rachel Stanton, Ashley St. Denis, Anthony Sucapani, Chris Sweeney, Lenyka Sykes, Nicholas Thompson, Mike Tielbaard, Ben Turner, Jaquan Tyler, Benjamin Tyrrell, Michelle Valentino, Katherine Vassar, Kimberly Vitello, Steven Ward, James Warner, Denelle Waugh, Alicia Weaver, Joseph Wede, Shelby Wilkerson, Alethea Williams, Thompson Willson, Laura Young, Chyenne Youngs.

For more information about Adult Education full-time training programs, Continuing Education, Literacy programs or the annual graduation celebration, contact OCM BOCES at (315) 453-4400.

Hundreds of adult graduates recognized during 31st annual Adult Literacy Celebration

On  Wednesday, May 21, 2014, OCM BOCES held its 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation for Syracuse and Cortland graduates. The celebration took place at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.  Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs were recognized for their accomplishments.

Student testimonials were given by Laura Tarbell and Eric Steger, both OCM BOCES students, to illustrate their personal and educational struggles prior to coming to BOCES and the successes they have achieved as a result of their educational experiences with BOCES. Jesse Lyles, another OCM BOCES student and a United States Army Veteran who served in the Korean War, said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Laura Tarbell, a student of Celia Volbrecht, attended GED classes at OCM BOCES during the 2012-2013 school year. Prior to attending classes, she was employed in the health care and food service fields for 35 years. While she did not pass the GED exam the first time she took it, and despite the many obstacles in her way, she was determined to complete the program. With the support of classmates, friends and teachers, Laura worked hard to reach her goal. Laura’s teacher, Celia, is proud of her student’s determination and says that, “Laura was an inspiration to her classmates to not give up and pursue their goals. She is now employed and is interested in obtaining her LPN license.”

Eric Steger, age 26 of Cortland, NY, is a student of Lori Pallone at the OCM BOCES Cortland program. He is a recent graduate of the National External Diploma Program. Born in Honduras, Eric was adopted by an American family at 18 months of age and grew up in Cortland, but has also lived in many other cities, including Binghamton and Syracuse. He is currently a shift leader at a Dunkin Donuts Restaurant in Cortland, NY. Eric plans to continue his education by earning a trade certificate and hopes to eventually own his own business.

Jesse Lyles, age 68 of Syracuse, NY, is a United States Army Veteran. He was born in Auburn, Alabama in 1946, dropped out of high school and was drafted by the army in December 1968.  After basic training, he served in Port Richie, Maryland, and then in Korea from 1969 to 1970 where he was a heavy truck driver and ammunition specialist. In 1971 he came to Syracuse, NY and obtained employment at Chrysler.  He worked at Chrysler from 1971 until 2001 as a machinist and a fork lift operator. He began high school equivalency classes at OCM BOCES in June of 2013. When his instructor at BOCES found out he had served in Korea, she told him about New York State’s “Operation Recognition” Program, which awards high school diplomas to veterans who had served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Jesse got together the necessary paperwork, and within a short time he received his high school diploma from the Syracuse School District. Jesse is married, has one son who lives in Florida, and he still resides in Syracuse with his wife, Tammy.

Additionally, BOCES recognized Jena Kablecik as the NYACCE Student of the Year and Onondaga Community College’s (OCC) Outreach Partnership Team as their 2014 Partner in Literacy. Dave Wall, the college’s Director of Corporation and Public Partnerships accepted the recognition on behalf of himself, Sheila Osborne and Barbara Dennehy.

For more information on the 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.

Pictured above: Eric Steger leads the graduate procession into the SRC Arena.

Pictured above: Graduates proceed into the SRC Arena for the OCM BOCES 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration.

Pictured above: Senator John DeFrancisco addresses graduates and family members at the ceremony.

Pictured above: Graduates cross the stage at SRC Arena and receive congratulations from OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning and other staff.

OCM BOCES Adult Literacy Celebration - May 21, 2014

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm, OCM BOCES will hold its 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation for Syracuse and Cortland graduates. This year’s celebration will take place at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.  Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs will be invited to attend and be recognized for their accomplishments.

Several student testimonials, illustrating personal and educational struggles prior to coming to OCM BOCES, will be given. OCM BOCES will also recognize their 2014 Partner in Literacy.

The public and media are asked to mark their calendars and plan to attend this celebration. For more information on the 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.