Cortland Alternative School students share stories to increase awareness about mental illness

Throughout the past year and a half, some OCM BOCES students at the Cortland Alternative School (CAS) have been participating in a unique and productive group at the direction of CAS Counselor, Sue Sperger. The group, called “SOS” (Sharing Our Stories,) was created with the goal of increasing awareness about mental illness and de-stigmatizing help-seeking behavior.

The students wanted young people to know that it is okay to ask for help. To address the issue, group members went to nearby schools in Cortland County and told their stories to their peers in Health classes. While each young person's story was different, there was one common theme of HOPE. Group members shared their struggles with the advice that no matter how tough life can get, there is always someone you can lean on who won’t judge you. 

After taking time to present their stories, the students handed out cards with their phone numbers in order for the other students to reach out for help. They also gave out bracelets with the saying “WE ARE ALL HUMAN” to serve as a reminder to the others that it is always okay to ask for help.

The following students were involved with the SOS group:

• Brandon Slamp – Homer High School
   
• Ian Petrie – Homer High School
   
• Joe Vasick – Cincinnatus High School
   
• Tanner Armstrong – Cincinnatus High School
   
• Kayleigh Toole – Tully High School
   
• Tanner Ensign – Marathon High School

Great job!

Congratulations OCM BOCES 2014 Alternative Education Program Graduates

OCM BOCES has several alternative education programs for students who may have experienced difficulties attaining school success within traditional settings. Our alternative education programs provide unique academic opportunities within smaller, supportive settings. In 2014, nearly 70 students from component school districts successfully earned their high school diplomas through OCM BOCES alternative education programs at the Career Academy in Liverpool, Cortland Alternative High School and Onondaga Alternative High School. Congratulations to all 2014 OCM BOCES alternative education program graduates!

About the OCM BOCES Career Academy – OCM BOCES opened the doors to their Career Academy in September of 2006 with the goal of providing students an opportunity to explore different career paths while completing their academic course work to graduate from high school with a CTE Endorsement. Career themes are woven into academic courses to make them more meaningful and engaging. The program inspires leadership and confidence in students as they become motivated to take ownership of their learning. Twenty-nine students made up the Career Academy Class of 2014.

About Cortland & Onondaga (STARS) Alternative High Schools – Through the Cortland Alternative School and the STARS Program, 32 students earned their high school diplomas in June of 2014. Many of these students overcame great obstacles to meet New York State graduation requirements, and also met program requirements in the areas of personal growth, community contributions and lifelong learning.

2014 Alternative Education Graduates:

Career Academy: Ashley Ambriati (North Syracuse CSD), Taylor Anderston (North Syracuse CSD), McKayleigh Anderson-DeJohn (Liverpool CSD), Megan Barber (North Syracuse CSD), Thomas Beane (North Syracuse CSD), Adam Birkmier (Liverpool CSD), Marissa Bourgeois (North Syracuse CSD), Joshua Coon (Marcellus CSD), Dylan Corkran (Liverpool CSD), Rayne Coughlin (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Christina Dano (North Syracuse CSD), Nina Devine (Baldwinsville CSD), Shane Daniels (LaFayette CSD), Jayson Doupe (LaFayette CSD), Kaelyn Dowd (Liverpool CSD), Kyle Duffy (North Syracuse CSD), Brandon Eichholtz (East Syracuse Minoa CSD), Shelby Ellsworth (North Syracuse CSD), Kassondra Gloska (North Syracuse CSD), Karmella Gridley (North Syracuse CSD), Jeremy Grubbs (Baldwinsville CSD), Nicholas Losurdo (North Syracuse CSD), Vincent Mauro (Liverpool CSD), Nicholas Losurdo (North Syracuse CSD), Marina Mazzaroppi (North Syracuse CSD), Ben Miner (Baldwinsville CSD), Shane Moore (North Syracuse CSD), Alexxis Otts (North Syracuse CSD), Samson Ruiz (North Syracuse CSD), Tara Sanderson (Liverpool CSD), Eldin Smith (North Syracuse CSD), Destiny Sparks (North Syracuse CSD), Paige Szymanak (North Syracuse CSD), Sydney Timpano (West Genesee CSD), Jenna Thomas (Baldwsinsville CSD), Mary-Margaret Wright (Baldwinsville CSD) and Hailie Ziparo (Liverpool CSD).

Cortland Alternative School: Jamie Coville (Homer CSD), Samantha Kemp (Tully CSD), Amanda Kurtz (Tully CSD), Marlena Magyar (LaFayette CSD), Racheal Mierke (Homer CSD), Rebecca-Lynn Nelson (Fabius-Pompey CSD), Brian Rahrle (Tully CSD), Brenden Rainbow (McGraw CSD), Garrett Shute (Tully CSD), Jacob Stanley (Homer CSD), Tyler Thomas (DeRuyter CSD), Kimberly Wendel (Cortland Enlarged SD) and Logan Youngs (Homer CSD).

Onondaga Alternative High School (STARS): Chase William Cowen (Liverpool CSD), Michael Patrick Crowe (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Robert Daucher (Liverpool CSD), Alexander Delpriore (North Syracuse CSD), Dakota Tyler Dunkin (Solvay UFSD), Mary Elizabether Eustice (Baldwinsville CSD), 
Ian Fleming (Liverpool CSD), Nicholas Fontanella (Liverpool CSD), Jacob Thomas Hutcheon (Marcellus CSD), Alexander Thomas Irwin (Liverpool CSD), Ariel Josephine Kimbrough (North Syracuse CSD), Alicia C. Leach (Marcellus CSD), Paige McClusky (North Syracuse CSD), Spencer Surrette (Marcellus CSD), Melissa Fauzia Tikaram (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Craig Trudell (Onondaga CSD) and Seth Andrew Washo (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD).