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July 2026 CTE Monthly Newsletter by JILLIAN SHUHART

Top: Students from Robert H. Gibson Technical School. Bottom: Students from Donald R. Kline Technical School and Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham.

This spring, 35 Questar III BOCES Career and Technical Education students were matched with local businesses from across our region for the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Available to Automotive Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Trades, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, HVAC, and Welding students, this program allows students to earn a minimum of 200 hours of paid, on the job training the summer between their junior and senior years. It also serves as an opportunity to network with potential post-graduation employers while showcasing their skills, professionalism, and dedication to their trade.

Many students exceed the required 200 hours and stay employed through their senior year of high school and/or following graduation. Several businesses return year after year, using the program as a pipeline to fill their hiring needs with young, driven employees who are eager to work and succeed. This program would not be possible without the support of our business partners over the years. We thank you for your continued support in helping to train the future workforce and understanding the importance of our programs.

This year served as a record year for the Youth Apprenticeship Program; with the support of our business partners, we have the most students participating in a single summer, and we also surpassed 150 students since the program’s inception in 2021! Congratulations to the students and businesses participating in the 2026 Youth Apprenticeship Program:

Donald R. Kline Technical School

• Skye Anatriello, Coxsackie-Athens CSD, Automotive, Eagle Auto Repair
• Nate Epp, Germantown CSD, HVAC, Robert H. Bradway’s Plumbing and Heating
• Benjamin Ferris, Ichabod Crane CSD, HVAC, Main Care
• Danica Fornicola, Coxsackie-Athens CSD, Automotive, RC Lacy’s Auto Group
• Brayden Haberbeck, Ichabod Crane CSD, HVAC, Mirabito Energy
• Ried Hulbert, Greenville CSD, Welding, Peckham Industries
• Isabelle Hunter, Greenville CSD, Automotive, Townline Auto
• Kai Johnson, Catskill CSD, Automotive, Redlyne Performance
• Austin Lobdell, Ichabod Crane CSD, Welding, Piasecki Steel Construction
• James Meek, Germantown CSD, HVAC, Robert H. Bradway’s Plumbing and Heating
• Pablo Quintero-Romero, Hudson CSD, Automotive, Columbia County Highway Department
• Kory Sheehy, Ichabod Crane CSD, Welding, Columbia County Highway Department
• Xander Turner-Osborn, Chatham CSD, Welding, Schodack Auto
• Kyle Wagner, Ichabod Crane CSD, HVAC, Main Care

Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham

• Eian Lafferty, Greenville CSD, Heavy Equipment, Sunny Hill Resort
• Gavin Lyons, Greenville CSD, Heavy Equipment, Town of Greenville
• Michael Styga, Coxsackie-Athens CSD, Heavy Equipment, Flach Excavation
• Griffin Wells, Greenville CSD, Heavy Equipment, Blue Mountain Excavation

Robert H. Gibson Technical School

• Tyler Anderson, East Greenbush CSD, Heavy Equipment, Harrison and Burrowes Bridge Constructors
• Richard Bachner, New Lebanon CSD, Automotive, Marchese Ford
• Jacob Brooks, Brunswick CSD, Welding, Piasecki Steel Construction
• William Cottrell, Hoosic Valley CSD, Electrical Trades, BDP Industries
• Jack Hart, Berlin CSD, Construction, Stone Mountain Builders
• Liam Koval, Averill Park CSD, Heavy Equipment, SM Gallivan
• Seth LaFore, Lansingburgh CSD, Constructions, MMC Millwork-Greco Construction
• Wesley Lyons, Troy CSD, HVAC, Crisafulli Bros.
• Parker Malone, Schodack CSD, HVAC, Crisafulli Bros.
• Cale Maxon, New Lebanon CSD, Heavy Equipment, Bervy Excavation
• Jack McCarthy, Schodack CSD, HVAC, Crisafulli Bros.
• Gabe Smith, Berlin CSD, Welding, Zwack, Inc.
• Zachary Teal, Averill Park CSD, Heavy Equipment, DelSignore Paving
• Owen Valenchis, East Greenbush CSD, Electrical Trades, Martin Electric
• Dylan Vohnoutka, East Greenbush CSD, Automotive, Rensselaer Honda
• Johnny Wang, Troy CSD, HVAC, RPI
• Lukas Zuke, Berlin CSD, Construction, Bast Hatfield

Seniors at Donald R. Kline Technical School joined together in the school’s community room while their friends and family attended the school’s ceremony on June 4, 2026.

Congratulations to the 172 students who have been accepted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) for the 2025-2026 school year! To qualify for NTHS, a student must:

• Achieve a 90% or higher average in their program
• Have fewer than five unexcused absences
• Carry an average of 85% or above at their home district for the school year

Of these students, 50 seniors were recognized as two-year members and participated in a special candle lighting ceremony. Congratulations to our 2026 members!

Seniors at Robert H. Gibson Technical School who are both members of National Technical Honor Society and SkillsUSA took part in a candle lighting ceremony at the school’s induction on May 28, 2026.

Two-Year Members

Donald R. Kline Technical School

• Abbiegail Bannen, Senior, Criminal Justice, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Gabriel Bervy-Morse, Senior, Building Trades, Chatham CSD
• Lukis Bosko, Senior, HVAC, Taconic Hills CSD
• Jack Carr, Senior, HVAC, Catskill CSD
• Asa Decker, Senior, HVAC, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Sebastian Dermott, Senior, Culinary Arts, Hudson CSD
• Zachary Distin, Senior, Building Trades, Chatham CSD
• Kevin Durney, Senior, Automotive Technology, Greenville CSD
• Charles Faria, Senior, HVAC, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Cadence Gallagher, Senior, Criminal Justice, Greenville CSD
• Rhoderick Herdman, Senior, HVAC, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Gavin Heusdens, Senior, Automotive Technology, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Caleb Hildenbrand, Senior, HVAC, Germantown CSD
• Nicholas LaBounty, Senior, Culinary Arts, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Matthias Mallia, Senior, HVAC, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Andrew Moran, Senior, HVAC, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Madison Paul, Senior, Culinary Arts, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Ethan Restifo, Senior, Building Trades, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Casmir Ryan, Senior, HVAC, Taconic Hills CSD
• Tyler Secor, Senior, Automotive Technology, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Aubrey Smith-Rowe, Senior, Cosmetology, Chatham CSD

Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham

• Jacob Alvarez, Senior, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, Taconic Hills CSD
• Samuel Anagnos, Senior, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, Red Hook CSD

Robert H. Gibson Technical School

• Octavia Allen, Senior, Culinary Arts, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Christopher Austin, Senior, HVAC, East Greenbush CSD
• Chad Castle, Senior, HVAC, Troy CSD
• Scott Coonradt, Senior, Construction Technology, Troy CSD
• Evan Davis, Senior, HVAC, East Greenbush CSD
• Devin DeLaMater, Senior, Cosmetology, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Tamaz Devine, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, Berlin CSD
• Ryan Garrison, Senior, Culinary Arts, East Greenbush CSD
• Jayden Irwin, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, East Greenbush CSD
• Gavin Kernes, Senior, Electrical Trades, Berlin CSD
• Helen Ketzer, Senior, Cosmetology, East Greenbush CSD
• Marcello Merced, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, Troy CSD
• Brody Messier, Senior, Welding, East Greenbush CSD
• Alicia Minkler, Senior, Culinary Arts, Berlin CSD
• Juliann Noble, Senior, Culinary Arts, Schodack CSD
• Olivia Palmer, Senior, Cosmetology, Rensselaer CSD
• Zachary Pauli, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, East Greenbush CSD
• Teagan Reckner, Senior, Automotive Technology, Schodack CSD
• Zachary Reed, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, Rensselaer CSD
• Carmine Riccardo Jr, Senior, Welding, Averill Park CSD
• Blake Rogers, Senior, Automotive Technology, New Lebanon CSD
• Maya Ryan, Senior, Culinary Arts, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Isabella Satalino, Senior, Welding, East Greenbush CSD
• Erika Tirino, Senior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Samuel Ulmer, Senior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Cameron Van Dyk, Senior, Electrical Trades, Berlin CSD
• Jayden Wood, Senior, HVAC, Averill Park CSD

One-Year Members

Donald R. Kline Technical School

• Simone Beaumont, Senior, Welding, Greenville CSD
• Emily Rae Brady, Junior, Aviation, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Dezaray Brandow, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Catskill CSD
• Montserrat Cruz, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Elizabeth Davis, Junior, Cosmetology, Greenville CSD
• John Dedie, Junior, Culinary Arts, Greenville CSD
• Lane DeGroat, Junior, Building Trades, Catskill CSD
• Julianna Di Giovanni, Junior, Cosmetology, Catskill CSD
• Dustin Dudley, Junior, Automotive Technology, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Amiliana DuHart, Senior, Introduction to Food Services, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Nate Epp, Junior, HVAC, Germantown CSD
• Jakob Ford, Junior, Welding, Greenville CSD
• Gavin Frick, Senior, Automotive Technology, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Brayden Haberek, Junior, HVAC, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Abby Hartmann, Senior, Culinary Arts, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Dahkota Hathaway, Junior, Building Trades, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Talon Hauser, Junior, Building Trades, Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD
• Reid Hulbert, Junior, Welding, Greenville CSD
• Sydney Keeler, Junior, Cosmetology, Hudson CSD
• Alden Kline, Junior, Aviation, Averill Park CSD
• Taylor Kubisek, Junior, Culinary Arts, Chatham CSD
• Kayleigh Lackie, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Jade Mancuso, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Cairo-Durham CSD
• Kaelin Martin, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Hudson CSD
• Citlaly Martinez-Cruz, Junior, Criminal Justice, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Angelyn Mauricio Romero, Junior, Culinary Arts, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Aidan Meenagh, Junior, Criminal Justice, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Geovanna Munoz Martinez, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Ichabod Crane CSD
• Alexis Nehmens, Senior, Criminal Justice, Chatham CSD
• Aiden Saccoccie, Junior, Construction Technology, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Robert Seaton, Junior, HVAC, Hudson CSD
• Judah Snowden, Junior, Fire Science, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
• Sophia Speenburgh, Junior, Cosmetology, Germantown CSD
• Jacqueline Stoddard, Senior, Criminal Justice, Taconic Hills CSD
• Jade Suarez, Junior, Introduction to Food Services, Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD
• Mason Tamburro, Junior, HVAC, Hudson CSD
• Duncan Tietjen, Junior, Introduction to Food Services, Catskill CSD
• Alessandra VanAlphen, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Hudson CSD
• Elijah Walker, Junior, HVAC, Hudson CSD

Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham

• Keira Cavanaugh, Junior, Agriculture Science, Germantown CSD
• Eian Lafferty, Junior, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, Greenville CSD
• Keila Platt, Junior, Agriculture Science, Germantown CSD

Robert H. Gibson Technical School

• Erabella Albert-Thomas, Junior, Criminal Justice, Troy CSD
• Mariah Allen, Junior, Criminal Justice, Troy CSD
• Logan Austin, Senior, Automotive Technology, Brunswick CSD
• Richard Bachner, Junior, Automotive Technology, New Lebanon CSD
• Jacob Barrett, Junior, Gaming and Multimedia, Lansingburgh CSD
• Keegan Beidl, Junior, Automotive Technology, Lansingburgh CSD
• Landon Brehm, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Sean Buchan, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Finn Buckenroth, Junior, Automotive Technology, New Lebanon CSD
• Hailey Burdick, Junior, Welding, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Samantha Carey, Junior, Cosmetology, Averill Park CSD
• Elizabeth Carrier, Senior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Owen Carter, Junior, Electrical Trades, Troy CSD
• Alaina Catlin, Senior, Criminal Justice, Averill Park CSD
• Brady Catlin, Junior, Welding, Averill Park CSD
• Daniel Cirincione, Junior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Sydney Collins, Senior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Laila Cook, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Rensselaer CSD
• William Cottrell, Junior, Electrical Trades, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Ethan Covert, Senior, Criminal Justice, Brunswick CSD
• Norah Daoust, Junior, Cosmetology, East Greenbush CSD
• Emmarie Dennis, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Rensselaer CSD
• Maria Dickson-Melber, Junior, Cosmetology, Averill Park CSD
• Fritzlande Dorlus, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Lansingburgh CSD
• Carolyn Ducharme, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Averill Park CSD
• Nathan Durkin, Senior, HVAC, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Alexa Eaton, Junior, Culinary Arts, Schodack CSD
• Carson Ferriero, Junior, Welding, Averill Park CSD
• Ayden Garmley, Junior, Electrical Trades, Troy CSD
• Joshua Garrison, Senior, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, East Greenbush CSD
• Josue Gonzalez Zapata, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Jonathan Hale, Junior, Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance, Averill Park CSD
• Trent Hamilton, Junior, Welding, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Allison Hand, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Schodack CSD
• Gabriel Hartmann, Senior, Automotive Technology, Schodack CSD
• Khloe Harvey, Junior, Cosmetology, Schodack CSD
• Malese Jackson, Senior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Aarav Joshi, Junior, Criminal Justice, East Greenbush CSD
• Jack Kelley, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Maddisyn Kreutziger, Senior, Nursing Assistant, New Lebanon CSD
• Mia Lamoree, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Averill Park CSD
• Rory Lansing, Junior, Gaming and Multimedia, Greenville CSD
• Anna Lawless, Senior, Nursing Assistant, New Lebanon CSD
• Madison Lehman, Junior, Cosmetology, Brunswick CSD
• Jessica Lopez, Junior, Cosmetology, East Greenbush CSD
• Kyle Lopez, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Jack McCarthy, Junior, Electrical Trades, Schodack CSD
• Ryan McKenna, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Mariah Meyer, Junior, Cosmetology, Lansingburgh CSD
• Nathan Middleton, Junior, HVAC, Averill Park CSD
• Hannah Mitchell, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Averill Park CSD
• Travis Mysliwiec, Senior, Automotive Technology, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Nicholas Neet, Jr., Junior, Automotive Technology, Berlin CSD
• Takia Nowell, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Troy CSD
• Grace Pelletier, Junior, Cosmetology, Berlin CSD
• Keisy Pena Dicent, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Troy CSD
• Desmond Pickens Harrison, Senior, Culinary Arts, Rensselaer CSD
• Caleigh Quackenbush, Junior, Criminal Justice, Brunswick CSD
• Jaiden Quinones, Junior, Automotive Technology, Berlin CSD
• Mya Reed, Junior, Cosmetology, East Greenbush CSD
• Isabel Rifenburgh, Junior, Welding, Averill Park CSD
• Faith Rivera, Senior, Nursing Assistant, East Greenbush CSD
• Niya Roberts, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Rensselaer CSD
• Raerlian Rodriguez Rivera, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Lansingburgh CSD
• Sanai Rogers, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Averill Park CSD
• Danlee Romain, Junior, Gaming and Multimedia, Rensselaer CSD
• Alexander Ruepp, Senior, Automotive Technology, Hoosic Valley CSD
• Zachary Sanford, Senior, Construction Technology, East Greenbush CSD
• Ryan Seney, Senior, Construction Technology, Rensselaer CSD
• Rian Spring, Junior, Electrical Trades, Troy CSD
• Mackenzie Terry, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Averill Park CSD
• Chrisdina Thomas-Grumm, Senior, Culinary Arts, Troy CSD
• Piper Tobey, Junior, Criminal Justice, Averill Park CSD
• Elizabeth Treffiletti, Junior, Cosmetology, Schodack CSD
• Owen Valenchis, Junior, Electrical Trades, East Greenbush CSD
• Natalia Valentin, Senior, Criminal Justice, Averill Park CSD
• Dylan Vohnoutka, Junior, Automotive Technology, East Greenbush CSD
• Eily Vollick, Junior, Gaming and Multimedia, Averill Park CSD
• Aleena Wilson, Senior, Nursing Assistant, Brunswick CSD
• John Young, Senior, Gaming and Multimedia, Niskayuna CSD

More than 40 students from Robert H. Gibson Technical School participated in the SkillsUSA Signing Day.

L-R: Beth O’Brien, Questar III BOCES SkillsUSA Advisor; Darin Cook, Crisafulli Brothers; Chris DeStafano, Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc.; Eric Papandrea, Questar III BOCES Principal

Automotive Services

• Ryan Bastidas, Troy CSD, HVCC
• Sage Dudley, Berlin CSD, Universal Technical Institute
• Payton Howes, Lansingburgh CSD, HVCC
• Nelson Rivera Lind, Lansingburgh CSD, HVCC
• Tucker Schroder, New Lebanon CSD, HVCC

Automotive Technology

• Logan Austin, Brunswick CSD, Paul Smith’s College
• Raymond Bulson, Hoosic Valley CSD, City of Troy
• Alex Ruepp, Hoosic Valley CSD, Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)

Cosmetology

• Lily Biette, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Eryn Bruce, East Greenbush CSD, HVCC
• Amya Conyers, Rensselaer CSD, HVCC
• Aeris Corrodore, East Greenbush CSD, HVCC and Charleen Fabe Salon
• Liana Goss, Rensselaer CSD, HVCC
• Olivia Hoch, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Helen Ketzer, East Greenbush CSD, HVCC and Breanna Kirsch
• Kylie Mongeon, Averill Park CSD, Alabama University
• Olivia Osganian, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Elsa Ramos, Troy CSD, Salon at Ulta Beauty
• Abigail Salsbury, Averill Park CSD, UAlbany
• Victoria Sanchez, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Julia Shatraw, East Greenbush CSD, Jackie’s Place
• Guillianna Van Cott, Lansingburgh CSD, Hartwick College

Criminal Justice

• Samuel Ulmer, East Greenbush CSD, HVCC

Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance

• Aaron Aubin, Schodack CSD, JDunn Group

• Mason Burke, East Greenbush CSD, Waste Connections Colonie

• Carter Burmaster, Averill Park CSD, Labor Union / R.D. Postulka Contracting

• Joshua Camadine, Schodack CSD, National Training, Inc

• Zach Dahl, Brunswick CSD, SUNY Cobleskill

• Joshua Garrison, East Greenbush CSD, SUNY Morrisville

• Logan Horton, New Lebanon CSD, SUNY Polytechnic

• Branden Johnson, Averill Park CSD, Ayzo Ridge Cultivated Signage

• Braden Martin, Brunswick CSD, Paul Smith’s College

• Christopher Austin, East Greenbush CSD, HVCC
• Ayden Coonrad, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Evan Davis, East Greenbush CSD, Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters
• Nathan Durkin, Hoosic Valley CSD, HVCC
• AJ Hencke, Averill Park CSD, Lincoln Tech
• Henry Madigan, Hoosic Valley CSD, HVCC
• Hunter Mather-Richardson, Averill Park CSD, HVCC
• Mia Lee Robles, Rensselaer CSD, HVCC
• Justin Vogt, Hoosic Valley CSD, Todd

 CTE students from Donald R. Kline Technical School particpated in their own Signing Day event on May 6, 2026.

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June 2026 CTE Monthly Newsletter by JILLIAN SHUHART

Robert H. Gibson Technical School – 35 Colleen Road, Troy, NY 12180

• Camp is now full; waiting list is open
• Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17, 2026
• 9 am – 2 pm daily
• Explore Automotive, Construction, Culinary, Electrical, and Welding pathways!

Donald R. Kline Technical School – 131 Union Turnpike, Hudson, NY 12534

• Registration closes Sunday, July 12, 2026
• Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24, 2026
• 9 am – 2 pm daily
• Explore Aviation, Construction, Culinary, EMT, Fire Science, and Welding pathways!

Camp costs $85 per student, per week, at either school. Students must currently attend a Questar III BOCES component school district in Rensselaer, Columbia, or Greene County. Students outside the region can be added to a wait list. Families are required to provide student lunch and transportation. Space is limited, register a camper today!

Space is limited, register a camper today! Download a PDF Flyer.

Seniors from Donald R. Kline Technical School pose for a group photo after the SkillsUSA National Signing Day ceremony.

On May 6, 22 Career and Technical Education students from Donald R. Kline Technical School participated in the SkillsUSA National Signing Day. These students signed letters of intent, showing their commitment to pursue skilled career paths after graduation. Each student has already secured post-graduation employment related to their studies, with some also planning to attend college in the fall. Of these students, three will be employed by the same company in which they participated in the Youth Apprenticeship Program last summer.

Hear from one of our students, Logan DeLease:

Congratulations to our seniors, we can’t wait to see where your skills take you!

Automotive Services

• Dominick DeVito, Hudson CSD, AutoZone
• Cory Landry, Ichabod Crane CSD, Yonder Farms

Automotive Technology

• Logan DeLease, Taconic Hills CSD, Columbia County Highway Department*
• Gavin Heusdens, Ichabod Crane CSD, Walmart Automotive
• Nico Scionti, Taconic Hills CSD, Columbia County Highway Department
• Tyler Secor, Ichabod Crane CSD, Allegiance Truck Center*
• Seth Sprague, Greenville CSD, Eagle Auto
• Hunter Welch, Greenville CSD, Simmons Auto

Aviation

• Randall Albertson, Ichabod Crane CSD, Richmor Aviation
• Ava Noel, Schodack CSD, Richmor Aviation

Building Trades

• Lewek Reynolds, Catskill CSD, Wennstrom Electric Security and Automation

Culinary Arts

• Tyler Boyles, Taconic Hills CSD, High Falls Pizzeria and Tap House
• Sebastian Dermott, Hudson CSD, Whale Belly Food Truck
• Nicholas LaBounty, Ichabod Crane CSD, Subway
• Emilie Macchi, Taconic Hills CSD, OK Social
• Faith Morrissey, Ichabod Crane CSD, Stewart’s Shops
• Madison Paul, Ichabod Crane CSD, Jackson’s Old Chatham House
• Rebecca Van Allen-Hamm, Ichabod Crane CSD, Harvest Smokehouse

HVAC

• Edward Bailey, Ichabod Crane CSD, Robert Bradway’s Plumbing and Heating*
• Kalib Becker, Ichabod Crane CSD, S.T. Hudson’s Son Plumbing and Heating

Welding

• Kennedy Boughton, Chatham CSD, Local 5 Boilermakers Union
• Trevor Flensted, Greenville CSD, BMW Fabrication LLS

*Denotes employment with the same business that they participated in the Youth Apprenticeship Program with last summer.

It is no surprise that our nursing shortage continues to grow nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has shared that the country will need more than 189,000 new registered nurses each year through 2034 to replace workers who leave healthcare or retire.  Programs such as ours help address this need by giving high school students a head start in a nursing career or a jump start on their continued education.

Dezeray Brandow (left) checks the vitals of her classmate at Donald R. Kline Technical School.

One of those students is Dezeray Brandow, a senior at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Catskill Central School District. Dezeray, who has been working in a nursing facility since last spring as a dietary aid, shared how she joined the program.

“I always knew I wanted to get into healthcare, I just didn’t know what kind,” said Dezeray. “My counselor recommended I come to Questar III’s open house to see what I liked. I was between EMT and this program, but when I stepped into the nursing assistant classroom, I just felt a click.”

As to why it clicked, Dezeray believes it’s a combination of her nurturing personality and a personal experience. During her grandfather’s illness, she witnessed her aunt, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), care for him, and it helped shape her path.

Through this one year program, students learn essential patient care skills, including taking vital signs, assisting with daily living activities, infection control, and basic nursing procedures. Students also participate in clinicals at local nursing homes, gaining first-hand, real-world experience. Dezeray and her classmates visit two locations, The Pines at Catskill Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and the FASNY Firefighter’s Home in Hudson.

“We get to do everything we learn in class,” Dezeray stated. “We feed residents, care for them, position them in bed, get them ready for the day, take them to activities. I’m learning how to care for people, how to remember simple things, like their favorite shirt, or wearing their hair a certain way.”

Dezeray went on to share that she enjoys her time at clinicals and how it’s a real learning opportunity. Staff at both facilities are appreciative of their help and are also willing to teach students along the way. She also shared that she is grateful to have her teacher, Ms. Beth Hulbert, and clinical instructor, Ms. Susann Kropp.

“Ms. Hulbert is a great teacher,” Dezeray said. “She explains things well, and she gives us the reality. Not many people will hold our hand in the real world, especially in nursing school, so I feel like this step prepares me for what’s next. It’s not like in your home district where they’ve known you all these years. This is the real world.”

“I’ve only known my teachers for a year, and I feel really close to both of them,” Dezeray shared. “I love their work ethic, and they’re really good examples of who I want to become as a nurse.”

With graduation around the corner, Nursing Assistant students at both our Hudson and Troy locations are preparing for the upcoming NYS Certified Nursing Assistant licensing exam. Those who earn their license will have the ability to enter the workforce immediately as a CNA. As for Dezeray, she plans to continue her education next fall.

“I am going to college at SUNY Delhi to pursue nursing and my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing),” Dezeray said. “I’m hoping I can work as a CNA while I’m in college because I want the experience.”

Experience is something Dezeray already has plenty of. Alongside her time in our program, she has spent the past year working part-time at a local nursing home as a dietary aide. Looking ahead, Dezeray plans to shift her focus from caring for the elderly to welcoming new life into the world as a labor and delivery nurse.

“I’m a very hands-on learner,” Dezeray said. “I’m glad that I chose to come here because I think this is going to prepare me to become a better nurse.”

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May 2026 CTE Monthly Newsletter by JILLIAN SHUHART

Click on the left & right of the newsletter to turn the page.

April 2026 CTE Monthly Newsletter by JILLIAN SHUHART