OCM BOCES students place in Ford/AAA competition

Congratulations to OCM BOCES automotive technology students Joshua Hildreth, from the Baldwinsville Central School District and Tyler Shepard from the Cazenovia Central School District for recently placing second in the  Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition held at Morrisville State College on May 14.

Hildreth and Shepard competed against nine teams from around the state to diagnose and repair several automotive problems in 90 minutes. To qualify for the hands-on competition students had to take a written exam. Only 10 of the highest scoring two-person teams in the state qualified for the hands-on competition.

For their second-place finish Hildreth and Shepard each received a trophy and several scholarships, including $1,500 from the Ford Asset program and $5,000 from Universal Technical Institute.


Congratulations Joshua and Tyler!

Automotive Technology Student wins North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce award

Congratulations to Joshua Fay, an OCM BOCES automotive technology senior from the North Syracuse Central School District,  for recently having won the BOCES student award from the North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Joshua was presented with a certificate of recognition and a check for $50 at the Chamber's monthly meeting and student awards' ceremony on May 21.

Joshua was nominated for the recognition by his guidance counselor at Cicero-North Syracuse High School and during the ceremony, was commended for his excellent attendance and attitude and his hard work and preparation for classes.

Joshua serves as the chief of junior firefighters at the Hinsdale Fire Department in Mattydale, NY. He plans to attend either Morrisville or Onondaga Community College in the fall to major in automotive technology.

Above photo: Joshua (left) was presented with his award, which was sponsored by North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars, by Robert Crabtree, a member of Dollars for Scholars and the North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Accomplishments of literacy program graduates recognized at 30th annual ceremony

On Wednesday, May 22, OCM BOCES held its 30th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theater in Syracuse. Hundreds of graduates from  OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and literacy programs attended and were recognized for their accomplishments in front of their families, friends and the community.

Emotional and inspirational testimonials were given by graduating students Ilhan Gowdha and Muhaimin Muhammad.

Ilhan Gowdha, originally from Somalia, has lived in Syracuse for just over one year. Before coming the United States, she spent two years in Kenya, where she was a representative for Somalian refugees. This included counseling victims of violence, and disseminating information and resources to her community. She  also performed interpreting duties for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after moving to Syracuse in February 2012, she enrolled at OCM BOCES and obtained her GED in March of 2013. She currently volunteers at the Northside Learning Center, and is very active in the Syracuse community. Ms. Gowdha plans to take pre-med classes at Syracuse University starting this summer.

Muhaimin Muhammad a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the second oldest of 13 children, son of Muntaqim and Latifah Muhammad. In 2000 Muhaimin moved to Rochester, New York. For the past 12 years, he has been a devoted and loving husband to Alnisa Muhammad and a loving and compassionate father of four children - two daughters, 21 year-old Khadijah and 20 year-old Haneefah Muhammad, and 13 year-old twin boys, Muhaimin and Samad.  He is also a grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren, whom he adores very much. Muhaimin is a very determined and hard working person. While he admits he has stumbled many times, he never gives up, finding strength within himself, GOD, and his family.

OCM BOCES also recognized the Onondaga County Department of Correction as their 2013 Partner is Literacy and Reginald Dennis, a 2012 OCM BOCES graduate, was acknowledged for having been named by NYACCE (New York Association for Continuing/Community Education) as a student of the year for 2013.

Congratulations to all graduates!

Syracuse-area Adult Literacy Celebration - Wednesday, May 22

This Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., OCM BOCES will hold its 30th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theatre (2384 James Street) 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.

Student testimonials, illustrating their personal and educational struggles prior to coming to OCM BOCES, will be given by Ilhan Gowdha and Muhaimin Muhammad.

Ilhan Gowdha, originally from Somalia, has lived in Syracuse for just over one year. Before coming the United States, she spent two years in Kenya, where she was a representative for Somalian refugees. This included counseling victims of violence, and disseminating information and resources to her community. She  also performed interpreting duties for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after moving to Syracuse in February 2012, she enrolled at OCM BOCES and obtained her GED in March of 2013. She currently volunteers at the Northside Learning Center, and is very active in the Syracuse community. Ms. Gowdha plans to take pre-med classes at Syracuse University starting this summer.

Muhaimin Muhammad a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the second oldest of 13 children, son of Muntaqim and Latifah Muhammad. In 2000 Muhaimin moved to Rochester, New York. For the past 12 years, he has been a devoted and loving husband to Alnisa Muhammad and a loving and compassionate father of four children - two daughters, 21 year-old Khadijah and 20 year-old Haneefah Muhammad, and 13 year-old twin boys, Muhaimin and Samad.  He is also a grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren, whom he adores very much. Muhaimin is a very determined and hard working person. While he admits he has stumbled many times, he never gives up, finding strength within himself, GOD, and his family.

OCM BOCES will also recognize the Onondaga County Department of Correction as their 2013 Partner is Literacy at the celebration. Commissioner Timothy Cowin and Assistant Commissioner Dan Boyle will accept the award during the ceremony. For more information on the 30th Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.

OCM BOCES students inducted into National Technical Honor Society

On Thursday, May 9, sixty-nine Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from the OCM BOCES Henry Campus were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Students that qualify for induction into the technical honor society represent the “best of the best” in CTE programs. In order to be inducted into the technical honor society students must have an 85 average or higher, 12 or fewer absences from their program for the year and receive a teacher endorsement.

Students must also demonstrate attributes that include: respect, honesty, skill, responsibility, leadership, service and citizenship. Congratulations to the students and their families!

Pictured above are Josh Fay (left) and Richard Piccolo, both students from the North Syracuse Central School District.

Following is the complete list of students inducted for membership in 2013 by their  home school districts:

Baldwinsville Central School District - Emily Arthur, Daniel Belair, Katrina Crump, Rachel Dattler, Joseph Granholm, Joshua Hildreth, Scott Jordan, Eric Shorney, Courtney Spraker, Christian Thompson, Cody Young;

Cazenovia Central School District - Darren Mihaich;

Chittenango Central School District - Alayna Arno, Kaleen Cole, Katelyn Graham, Alexis Mackey, Cody Nicholas, Dristin Snyder, Olivia Swieton, Jon-Luc Turk, Brandon Woodward;

East Syracuse Minoa Central School District - Karly Kwasigroch;

Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District - Richard Davies, Amanda Markert, Thawm Van;

Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District - Maya Bey;

LaFayette Central School District - Kayla McElhannon;

Liverpool Central School District - Robert Cussen, Hope Downey, Amber Heisey, Amber Holdsworth, Alexa Mentel, Courtney Morse, Gabriella Sgroi;

Marcellus Central School District - Elizabeth Burke, Jeremy Dietz, Justin Smith;

North Syracuse Central School District - Christine Beckhusen, Brooke Bliss, Kathryn Buckley, Kaela Chesebro, Michelle Cross, Miranda Downey, Joshua Fay, Sarah Fike, John Flanagan, Adam Giordano, Nathan Hallatt, Ashley Hart, Samantha Holzapfel, Marina Locastro, Faith Paskell, Richard Piccolo, Elisabeth Pucello, Matthew Toia, Jessica Wanke, Charles Yancey;

Solvay Union Free School District - Micah Blanchard, Peter Casimiro, William Chasteen, Keith English;

Tully Central School District - Mikayla Baker, Gary Bradley, Leah Simon, Kelsey Wheeler;

West Genesee Central School District - Juliana Defio; and

Westhill Central School District - Nicholas Herholtz, Krista Johnston, Kayla Valenza.

 

Pictured: Joe Granholm from the Baldwinsville Central School District receives his certificate for the National Technical Honor Society.

Pictured: Several of the OCM BOCES New Vision students that were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Pictured: Students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) read their pledge after being presented with their new membership items. The NTHS pledge is:
"As a member of the National Technical Honor Society, I pledge to maintain
the highest standard of personal conduct.
I will apply myself to continue a record of scholastic achievement,
and I will strive for excellence in all aspects of my education.
I will invest my talents, my skills, and my knowledge in a career of my own choosing,
and shall always endeavor to uphold my obligations as a citizen of my community and my country."

OCM BOCES students compete and place in New York State Skills USA Leadership Competition

Approximately 2,000 students from across the state recently came together at the New York State Fairgrounds to compete in this year’s state SkillsUSA competition. 40 students from OCM BOCES were among those competitors, and earned six medals home for the school. The OCM BOCES students who placed in the competition are:

1.    Megan Howard, OCM BOCES Health Occupations Technology senior from the Cortland Enlarged City School District – 1st place (State Champion) in Nurse Assisting category (qualified for national competition)

2.    (Pictured above during the competition) Alexa Mentel, OCM BOCES Pastry Arts senior from the Liverpool Central School District – 1st place (State Champion) in the Commercial Baking category (qualified for national competition)

3.    Tyler Myers, OCM BOCES Automotive Collision Technology senior from the Baldwinsville Central School District – 3rd place in Collision Repair category

4.    Aaron Negus, OCM BOCES Computer Technology junior from the Westhill Central School District – 3rd place in the Computer Maintenance Technology category

5.    Jack Ryan, OCM BOCES Computer Technology senior from the Homer Central School District – 2nd place in Customer Service category


6.    Tyler Shepard, OCM BOCES Automotive Technology senior from the Cazenovia Central School District – 3rd place in the Automotive Service Technology category

About Skills USA: Skills USA is a national organization serving teachers and high school/college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. The organization provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development and builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills.

The complete list of OCM BOCES student participants is provided in the previous article about the competition.

For more information about OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Programs, contact Robert Leslie at 315/431-8407.