On Monday, June 16, Questar III and HVCC STEM High School held its inaugural graduation at Hudson Valley Community College. The Class of 2025 marked the school’s first graduating class, with 24 students earning their Certificates of Completion. Among them, seven seniors graduated in May from Hudson Valley Community College—three with Associate Degrees in Computer Science and four with Health Science Certificates.
The ceremony featured opening remarks from Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz; student speeches by seniors Ailie Malone (Schodack Central School District) and Ben MacLauchlin (East Greenbush Central School District); a Commencement Address by Mr. Pete Bailey, Program Manager of Environmental Justice at the New York Power Authority; staff remarks from School Counselor Mr. Tim Honsinger and College Mrs. Liaison Rebecca Lang; and closing remarks from Principal Ms. Jennie Mueller.
“We’re proud to celebrate the first graduating class of the Questar III and HVCC STEM High School,” said Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz. “These students have worked tirelessly over the past four years, fully embracing the hands-on, real-world learning environment that defines STEM High School. We look forward to seeing where their paths lead and are proud to support this new generation of workforce-ready graduates.”
The Questar III BOCES and HVCC STEM High School opened in September 2021. It was the first New York State Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) and Smart Scholar Early College High School to be hosted on a community college campus in the Capital Region. Since its launch, the program has offered students a head start toward earning their college degree or pathway certificate in a STEM-related field through workplace learning, worksite visits, speakers, and internships.
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