170 Adult Students graduate from OCM BOCES Syracuse-area training programs

On Tuesday, July 30, 2013, the accomplishments of nearly 200 adult students were celebrated as they completed OCM BOCES training programs.

Students were recognized for completing the following OCM BOCES adult education programs: CAD, Manufacturing Technology (a new program), Central Service Technology, Cosmetology, Office Technology, HVAC-R, Welding, Construction Trades, Pharmacy Technology, Electrical Maintenance Technology, Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting.

For more information about adult education and training programs in the Syracuse area, call 315/453-4455 and in the Cortland-area, call 607/758-5111

Adult Cosmetology students will perform “confidence makeovers” for Huntington Family Center Participants

On Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., students and staff from the OCM BOCES Adult Education Cosmetology program will be giving free makeovers to participants of Huntington Family Center support programs. The event will take place at the OCM BOCES Lee G. Peters Career Training Center (4500 Crown Road) in Liverpool. Recipients of the makeovers are men and women who have struggled with social and economic hardships. It is hoped that the physical transformations will inspire emotional transformations as well, leading to improved outlooks and increased self-esteem.

OCM BOCES is hosting the “confidence makeover” event in collaboration with ProLiteracy’s Literacy for Social Change (LSC) initiative. LSC is a unique program that enables facilitators within community literacy programs to combine literacy and cutting-edge strategies for human development and problem solving. The agency will be on hand at the event to conduct pre-and post- makeover surveys with participants to gauge how the event impacted them.

OCM BOCES Adult Education Cosmetology Program is donating all of the supplies, costs, equipment and times. During the event, OCM BOCES will also hold an open house in order to give makevover participants and the public the opportunity to tour all adult education classes and learn about its many vocational programs.

OCM BOCES Literacy and Adult Education Program Coordinator Mari Ukleya said, “I’m excited that our adult cosmetology students can be a part of this event. Even more though, the students are excited to be using their skills for such a great cause. We’re looking forward to seeing the physical and emotional transformations.”

For more information about adult education opportunities through OCM BOCES, visit their website at www.ocmboces.org and click on the adult programs tab.
Huntington Family Centers provide human services to those who face economic and social adversity. It works with people based on their social backgrounds and works to build pride and a sense of self-esteem in their community.

Regional Summer School program information

OCM BOCES 2013 Regional Summer School programs for 7th - 12th grade students are taking place at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Cortland High School, Fayetteville-Manlius High School and West Genesee High School.

All information regarding individual programs is available on the OCM BOCES Instructional Support Services website by clicking here.

Health Occupations student from Chittenango High School receives CTE award

Congratulations to Alayna Arno, an OCM BOCES Health Occupations student from the Chittenango Central School District, who recently received an award from her home school for academic excellence at OCM BOCES. Alayna received the award during the Chittenango High School awards ceremony on Thursday, May 30 for having the highest grade point average over the two years she attended OCM BOCES.

Alayna's plans are to attend Onondaga Community College for a year beginning in the fall, and to then transfer to Gardner Webb University to receive her nursing degree.

Mindy Akers, who is Alayna's teacher at OCM BOCES said, "Alayna is an excellent student and relates to the patient with kindness and empathy."

Congratulations Alayna!

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!