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.”

Women make up less than 5% of all skilled trade workers in the United States. But this number is rising, as more women attend career and technical education and trade schools. With the country facing a shortage of skilled trade workers, women are helping to fill the gap, bringing their talent, perspectives, and skills to the table.

Simone Beaumont is a senior in the Questar III BOCES Welding program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Greenville Central School District.

Simone Beaumont is a senior in the Questar III BOCES Welding program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Greenville Central School District. Welding wasn’t always definite for Simone; in fact, there was another Questar III program she was interested in in her sophomore year.

“My first pick for a while was cosmetology,” Simone shared. “When I came to look at courses here, it was welding and cosmetology. I started looking into welding more and saw more benefits. I also like routine, and in welding, once you know it and get called to a job site, you know what you’re going to do every time.”

Simone is one of four female welders in her class. When she first started the program, she was happy to know one young woman already.

“I already knew one girl, and we made friends with the other two,” Simone said. “Going into it, I was a little bit nervous, but I’ve always had guy friends. I was looking at it like, they’re going into this with similar thinking. I feel like a lot of people were just waiting for someone to speak up and have a conversation, and I’ll be the one to do that. But I don’t think I was at first. We do now, but they’re always short conversations. Our learning is in the booth, so if we’re talking, we’re not learning.”

Simone has already learned to torch cut, stick, and TIG weld, and is getting started on MIG welding. She’s also filing away her certifications, including OSHA 30, and National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) welding certifications. NOCTI exams serve as a bridge from high school to college or the workforce, showing that students have both the written knowledge and hands-on skills to be proficient in their field.

Simeone Beaumont welds while at Peckham Industries where she participates in the Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Simone had the opportunity to work on her skills last summer and learn some new ones when she was matched with Peckham Industries through our Youth Apprenticeship Program. This program gives students a minimum of 200 hours of paid, on-the-job training and first-hand experience of what it’s like to work in that field. By a stroke of luck, Simone was partnered with Elise Maland, a 2025 graduate of our welding program who also worked at Peckham Industries when she was in the program, and stayed working there after graduation.

“She was an awesome mentor,” Simone said. “I don’t think I could have found a better place to have an apprenticeship. The work setting was great, the people were great, and I made friends with everyone in the shop. I expanded my knowledge of machinery as well. I welded, but also did oil changes on the big trucks. I now have knowledge in other places that aren’t welding, but will help me later in life. It was a very cool experience, and the people working there made it even better.”

With her senior year winding down, Simone still has one main goal ahead of her – to continue learning and growing as a welder. She will be attending Alfred State College next year to earn an Associate Degree in welding.

“My main goal is to perfect as much as I can now,” Simone said. “Questar is a good platform for me as I head to college. My whole reason for going from welding school to welding school is to be the best at it, to perfect my skills in all areas of welding. Whether that be fabrication, blueprints, or anything else that goes into being a good welder and fabricator, I want to be the best at it.”

Oftentimes, CTE students who continue their studies in college can take advantage of an articulation agreement or skip entry level courses for the program, since they already have a foundation in the field. Simone, however, doesn’t want to take advantage of those opportunities, to continue finding new ways to learn.

“I love already knowing how to do something and then getting walked through it again with somebody else, a new teacher,” explained Simone. “I don’t want to change the amount of time I will be there, so I want to go and do the whole thing. As I said, my main goal is to perfect as much as I can.”

After college, Simone is keeping her options open. She is considering the differing benefits of owning her own mobile welding business, joining a union, becoming a weld inspector, or entering an apprenticeship. She is thankful for her family, especially her father and brother, for the impact they have made on her work ethic and future planning.

Simone offered a bit of advice for young girls who weren’t sure if welding could be in their future:

“Don’t be afraid that because it’s a man’s workforce, that a women can’t succeed. You have more ground to stand on than you think.”

 

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Women make up less than 5% of all skilled trade workers in the United States. But this number is rising, as more women attend career and technical education and trade schools. With the country facing a shortage of skilled trade workers, women are helping to fill the gap, bringing their talent, perspectives, and skills to the table.

Cassandra Norton is a Fire Science student at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Cairo-Durham CSD.

Cassandra Nostrand is a junior in the Questar III BOCES Fire Science program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Cairo-Durham Central School District. She is also an active member of the Cairo Fire Department. Cassandra was exposed to the fire service at a young age.

“I was probably 5 or 6 hanging out (at the fire house),” Cassandra shared. “It was imprinted on me at a young age; it made me realize what I wanted to do. I really liked being around them.”

The Fire Science program is a one-year program available to juniors and seniors in Columbia and Greene Counties. Offered in partnership with the counties, it gives high school students the unique experience to earn their Basic Exterior Fire Operations (BEFO) certification during the school day over the course of a 10-month school year. This is the most basic certification required of firefighters in New York State. When a student takes the course on their own, they first must wait for the county to offer a class, hope it fits into their schedule, and find their own transportation. While doing this will take less time to complete, it doesn’t offer as much in-depth training, nor does it explore other fire service skills outside of the BEFO course.

“We’ve been doing ladders, throwing water, and forced entry lately,” Cassandra said. “This spring, we’ll do search and rescue, even though it’s not part of the BEFO course. We get a little more freedom to do more because we have so much more time in the course.”

Of course, new firefighters can also learn these skills directly through their fire department drills. But learning them here prepares them even more when they step foot into their firehouse.

“You don’t get as much hands-on time at the firehouse,” Cassandra said. “I also think it’s more hands-on here than (firehouse) drills. I think coming here to get hands-on and then going back there helps a lot.”

In addition to learning basic firefighting skills, students are also exposed to career options within the industry. While becoming a volunteer or paid firefighter is a clear pathway, others include EMS or 911 Dispatchers. Not only does learning about this help when making career decisions, but it also provides a clearer understanding of how the agencies work together.

“We went to the Greene County 911 Center,” said Cassandra. “It was a lot calmer there than I thought, and I thought there would be more people. But it was a good experience.”

L-R: Isabella Briggs, Rhianna Edelman, and Cassandra Nostrand work with clinical instructor Liza Dwon to tie knots around a saw as they practice safe tool hoisting techniques.

Cassandra is one of three female students in the Fire Science program. They also have a female clinical instructor to look up to for inspiration, Liza Dwon, who works alongside their teacher, Greg Fox.

“Mr. Fox is fun to be around, but I like it when Ms. Dwon is here, too,” Cassandra explained. “I think having a female instructor really helps. Izzy, Rhianna, and I are pretty close with her.”

Being just one of three females in the class didn’t bother Cassandra, especially since she knew the other two girls. Still, she felt the need to show her classmates what she was capable of.

“I think we all put in a fair amount of effort,” Cassandra said. “I did have to prove myself. I think they underestimated me because I’m small.”

Next year, Cassandra will be returning to Questar III BOCES to join the EMT program, a one-year program for seniors. After high school, she plans to enter the workforce and would like to become a paid EMT or Paramedic, while continuing to volunteer with her local fire company.

 

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Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Sebastian Dermott is a senior in the Culinary Arts program at Donald R, Kline Technical School from Hudson City School District.

Sebastian Dermott is a senior in the Culinary Arts program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Hudson City School District. Cooking has always been a family activity that he enjoyed. When he was home more during COVID, it occurred to him that he could take his passion and turn it into a career.

“I figured out I could make money doing this,” Sebastian said. “When I saw that Questar III would teach us skills that we could later use to apply for college and jobs, I decided to join.”

Over the two-year program, students are exposed to options within the culinary world. Sebastian shared that his junior year was focused on sanitation, kitchen safety, and baking, but that he was excited to do more savory cooking in his senior year.

“I like baking, but you’ve got to have exact measurements,” Sebastian said. “But with savory cooking, you get to experiment with different flavors and techniques to make it your own.”

During his time at Donald R. Kline Technical School, he has had the opportunity to meet professional chefs from around the area, including those from different colleges and culinary schools. Sebastian felt like meeting these chefs, especially those from culinary schools, was a positive experience for students, regardless of whether they planned to attend college or enter the workforce after graduation.

“The chefs gave us demonstrations on different dishes that they make at their colleges,” Sebastian said. “That was really nice, because not only are you learning different techniques from these professionals, but you’re also getting more info that will help prepare you, whether you plan to attend their college or enter the workforce.”

Students also work with a professional chef every day, their teacher, Chef Amanda Repko. Sebastian spoke fondly about Chef Repko and the guidance she provided him.

“She is amazing,” Sebastian said. “She has helped me out both personally and with my culinary skills. She’s one of those people that you can talk to anytime about anything. She’s not only a mentor, but has been a reference for jobs, and she wrote my letter of recommendation for college. She’s one of those teachers who, no matter what, will go above and beyond for her students.”

Students earn several certifications through this program, including ServSafe, First Aid, and CPR. These certifications help students land jobs immediately, which Sebastian has already seen firsthand.

“ServSafe will help you get a job easier, that’s how I got my job, I beat out other candidates,” Sebastian explained. “Having the certifications also presents different opportunities to make money and network with people.”

Sebastian currently works at Pomodoro’s, a pizza place in Catskill. While this is not his end goal, he appreciates his time there now as a dishwasher and line cook.

“I want to gain the experience working in a restaurant where a lot of orders are coming through,” Sebastian said. “It’s going to be high stress, but I’d rather learn how to manage that now than at a fine dining restaurant in the future.”

Sebastian is active in school activities. He is the Treasurer of the school’s SkillsUSA Chapter and a competitor at the ProStart Competition held at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

“The competition is great for networking,” Sebastian shared. “You’re meeting all these professional Michelin star chefs and other students who are also interested in cooking. It’s great being able to meet and talk to people about what they’re doing.”

“SkillsUSA is a very community-based program,” said Sebastian. “One of the main things we do (in leadership training) is learn how to help our classmates with anything they need help with. We want to help people, we want to make sure they feel heard. I use my position to help students across all programs as much as I can.”

With graduation around the corner, Sebastian is planning for what’s next. He was recently accepted into the Culinary Institute of America and plans to attend in the fall for Business Management with a Culinary degree. Like so many high school seniors, Sebastian is excited for the opportunity, but also a little nervous about what’s next.

“I’m heading to a different school after being at Hudson (CSD) for over a decade,” Sebastian said. “It’ll be a different environment, and so much will change. But at the same time, I feel like I’m ready, especially through this program. I feel like I’m going to have the upper hand and the knowledge to overcome that nervousness. I’m ready.”

Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Chad Castle is a senior in the HVAC program at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from Troy CSD.

Chad Castle is a senior in the Questar III BOCES HVAC program at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from Troy City School District. Chad was exploring career options when he attended an Open House in 10^th grade.

“I thought I’d come and look at some of the programs, and that’s when I realized that I wanted to be hands-on instead of learning at a desk,” Chad shared. “The HVAC program stood out to me because you’re never really going to be looking at the same (project) every day.”

Through this program, students learn the fundamental skills in HVAC systems through a blend of traditional classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Part of that instruction includes integrated math and science in their junior year, and integrated English in their senior year. Chad shared that he’s always loved math and science, but found it to be easier.

“They’re more for your future,” Chad stated. “We learned about your credit score, car insurance, health insurance, and taxes. It also relates to your industry. In HVAC, we look more into the chemicals we’ll be using, like refrigerants, for science. And in math, we did a lot of fractions and reciprocals. That’s definitely helped this year, because now we’re using (the math) in our English paper for heat loss.”

Students are also working on their portfolios in English, which include their resume, application, cover letter, title page, and the awards and certifications they’ve received over the two years. Certifications found in Chad’s portfolio include OSHA and the EPA 608, which is required by all persons who maintain, service, repair of dispose of appliances that contain ozone depleting refrigerants.

Students are also presented with opportunities to develop their soft skills. Chad felt his leadership and communication skills have improved since joining CTE.

“Usually, I’d be the one to go to school, sit in the back, not talk to anyone, and just get my work done. Now I help lead the class and lead them through tasks.”

Chad Castle showcases his HVAC skills and placed third in the HVAC category at the 2025 SkillsUSA Region 3 Competition.

Another way to develop those skills is to be active with events at the school. As a member of SkillsUSA, he helped plan their annual Holiday House and competed in last year’s Region 3 tournament, finishing 3^rd in HVAC. He also joined the Youth Apprenticeship Program, which allowed him 200 hours of paid on the job training this past summer. Chad was matched with Bold Refrigeration, Heating, and AC.

“It was a great experience,” Chad said. “I learned a lot because I was actually moving around, experiencing what it’s like in the real world instead of being in a warm classroom. I helped clean AC units, and if there was a problem, I’d have to figure out what was wrong.”

In addition to the colleagues he met over the summer, he’s also met several industry professionals who have visited the classroom. They’re able to share advice on how to get started, while also pitching the benefits of working for their company.

“You get to make outside connections while you’re still a student,” Chad said. “Most of these guest speakers are still looking for people to hire.”

As for Bold Refrigeration, Heating, and AC, they’ve invited Chad to return after graduation. He plans to return to gain more experience.

“My experience here has been really amazing,” Chad shared. “All the teachers are very helpful and dedicated to what they do. I’d suggest going to an open house, get your name in the building, and see if you’re interested. The counselors are going to look at your background, so keep up on your classes, have good attendance, and be ready.”

Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Ava Noel is a senior in the Aviation program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Schodack CSD.

Questar III BOCES student Ava Noel is a senior in the Aviation program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Schodack Central School District. Last year, she was the first person in her class to conduct a solo flight, before she could even earn a driver’s license.

“Ever since I was younger, I’ve always loved to travel,” shared Ava. “I’ve always seen a career in aviation, but at first, it was more of a flight attendant path. But when I learned that it’s possible to become a pilot through this program, I quickly joined.”

Once school started, Ava wasted no time getting into an airplane. She took her discovery flight in a Cirrus SR22, sharing that it’s a 4-person, $1.5 Million mini jet and one of the most high-tech airplanes available.

“It was just unreal,” Ava said. “We went up for about 45 minutes to an hour. I got to fly the airplane a little bit. There was this feeling inside me that felt like, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I felt complete. I felt like I found that piece of me that was missing that I was searching for.”

Soon after her discovery flight, Ava was ready to take to the skies on her own. While she admits she was a bit nervous, she said it was a good type of nervousness.

“Once I hit full throttle, all of the nerves went away,” Ava explained. “It was just all professionalism that both my (flight) instructor and (teacher) Mr. Radek (Wyrzykowski) taught me, it all came together.”

But there’s a lot more to this program than just jumping into airplanes. Through their classwork, students learn about aircrafts, flight instruments, classifications, reading maps, radio communication procedures, weather, decision making, and so much more. They’ve had several guest pilots in from organizations like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Delta Airlines, worked with flight instructors at area airports, and have taken field trips to places like the Albany Air Traffic Control Tower. And just like all our CTE teachers, Aviation teacher Radek Wyrzykowski is a pilot himself with years of experience.

“Mr. Radek is one of the smartest people that I know,” Ava shared. “He is a wealth of knowledge and shares everything he knows with us. I’m never afraid to ask him a question because he’ll always have an answer. He makes me push myself harder every single day and supports everyone’s goals. I’m very grateful to have him as a teacher.”

Outside of flight time, classroom instruction, and networking with aviation professionals, students also build essential soft skills. For Ava, teamwork stands out as the most important.

“I think working with a team is very important as a pilot, and we learn a lot of that here,” Ava said. “When you’re in the airlines, or any pilot job, you have to be able to work with your team. Whether you’re the captain, first officer, flight attendant, ground crew, or air traffic control, everyone is working together to make that flight happen.”

Ava was forced to wait until her senior year to earn her FAA Private Pilot’s License, which she did soon after her 17^th birthday in October. Since then, she has also earned her Complex and Tailwheel Endorsements.

“Towards my flying, I’ve probably paid less than $500 for all my flight training. This program has saved me probably tens of thousands of dollars. It’s helped me earn my Private Pilot’s License, I’ve met new people, visited new places. I’ve gotten so many opportunities just through this program.”

Following graduation, Ava plans to attend a 4-year college, with the hope of finishing early thanks to her Questar III BOCES experience. She’s been accepted to several colleges so far and has yet to narrow down her choice. She is also exploring the Navy and Air Force.

Watch a video of Ava’s first solo flight:

Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Kaiden Klein is a senior in the Heavy Equipment program at Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham from Taconic Hills CSD.

Kaiden Klein is a senior in the Questar III BOCES Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance program at Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham from Taconic Hills Central School District.

Heavy Equipment students earn several certifications before graduation, including OSHA 10, OSHA 30, Stop the Bleed, Flagger, UDig NY, and more. Students can also earn their CDL License if they are of age and take the test before graduation, something Kaiden hopes to take advantage of.

Outside of classwork done at the school, students participate in community projects to earn work-based learning hours. A few projects Kaiden has been a part of include drainage projects at the Durham Center Museum and the Potter Hollow Schoolhouse, creating roadways and a pond for the East Durham Fire Company, and redefining access paths and roadways at the Cairo Cemetery. These are great opportunities to work on their technical skills while also developing soft skills in the process.

“One that really stuck with me is the schoolhouse,” Kaiden said. “We had a lot of conversations with them and talked about how they wanted the job done. It’s a key detail, you can’t always go into a job going off the paper. What are the fine details that they didn’t write down? These are good skills to have.”

Hear what else Kaiden had to say about his CTE experience in this video:

“I started there two years ago, and I figured out that it’s something that I love,” said Kaiden. “I work as hard as I can to stay there, and it’s one of my favorite places to be.”

Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Questar III BOCES student Jordan Gales is a senior in the HVAC program at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from East Greenbush Central School District. Jordan was encouraged by his mother to attend a CTE program to learn a trade. With family members who also work in HVAC, it felt like the right program to join.

“At first I had my doubts about HVAC,” Jordan said. “My mom had to break down the pros and cons. And then within my first year, I was like, ‘okay, I actually like this.’”

Jordan shared some of the work they do in the classroom, which encompasses the technical skills required to design, install, and repair HVAC/R systems. He also shared that just like being in the workforce, every day is different.

“One day we could be working with sheet metal, and the next doing something with gas pressures,” Jordan explained. “I wouldn’t say it’s all over the place, but it’s a variety of work. I think it’s better to get started with that earlier than later. You don’t want to be programmed one way, and then when you get to the workforce, it’s completely different.”

Jordan, who takes pre-calculus at his home district, also reflected on the difference between traditional academic classes and the integrated math, science, and English courses of a CTE program.

“Math is definitely a lot easier,” Jordan shared. “It doesn’t need to be overly complicated math. Same with Science. Plus, everything is HVAC related.”

In CTE, academic skills are tied directly to hands-on learning. He is currently working on an English paper, determining the heat loss calculation of a home. This English project ties in a multitude of HVAC related skills and knowledge and will be an addition to his portfolio.

CTE students are taught by specialized teachers who were first professionals in their given field. Jordan’s teacher, Mr. Mottl, brings a wealth of experience and connections to his classroom and has built strong relationships with his students.

“Mr. Mottl is great, we kinda clicked right away,” Jordan said. “I was pretty shy and quiet last year, but he brought out that energetic side of me. It makes me feel great that I can be myself in a classroom like that, especially with a bunch of people I didn’t know (last year). One of the biggest benefits of having him as a teacher is his connections; he knows a lot of people. For him to be able to provide those opportunities to students, I think that’s really awesome.”

While Jordan has thoroughly enjoyed CTE and the HVAC program, he still has other academic and career aspirations to explore. Next year, Jordan plans to explore something totally different in college.

“I want to pursue software engineering. But in case things don’t work out, I’ll have HVAC to fall back on. After high school, I want to start getting more into the workforce, so I’d like to look at doing something part-time with HVAC, but still go to school as well.”

Even though Jordan hasn’t committed to a full-time career in HVAC, that doesn’t mean his time was wasted. He shared how his soft skills have grown through this program, including customer service, communication, and professionalism, emphasizing that “professionalism matters.” As far as technical skills go, he noted that they would still be beneficial in his personal life, allowing him to fix HVAC problems in his own home.

Based on his own experience and growth, Jordan encourages other students to keep an open mind as they decide if CTE is the right path for them.

“Go into it with an open mind,” Jordan said. “Don’t be biased, see what you like, and be ready to learn. Once you get older, you’re not going to have as much time to do things. Now’s the best time.”

Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.

Madisyn Werner, a senior from Greenville Central School District, is currently enrolled in her second Questar III BOCES program at Donald R. Kline Technical School, EMT. Her junior year, she graduated from the one-year Fire Science program, where she was part of the inaugural class and earned her New York State Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations Certification.

Madisyn Werner (right) shakes the hand of Donald R. Kline Technical School Principal, Ms. Nickerson, as she is handed her NYS BEFO Certificate in May 2025.

Public service and giving back have always been important to Madisyn. Now in the EMT program, Madisyn is learning more life saving skills and preparing for yet another NYS certification, her EMT-B. Students in both programs also earn FEMA and First Aid/CPR certifications; Madisyn has been able to skip some of these this year since she earned them last year.

“Doing the Fire Science program last year gave me a head start in the emergency field, and learning how they correspond to each other,” shared Madisyn. “I originally wanted to become an EMT in the city, so I wanted that experience. But when I realized I couldn’t join that program until I was a senior, I joined Fire (Science) to get a head start.”

The EMT program gives students real world experience as they participate in clinicals in the Emergency Room at Columbia Memorial Health. Here, they shadow and assist hospital staff to learn more about the types of patients and calls they could encounter. Students are also encouraged to volunteer with their local ambulance agencies. Madisyn is already a volunteer with the Greenville Fire Department and is working on joining their rescue squad.

“I just enjoy helping people,” shared Madisyn. “A lot of people think first responders do it for the money, but it’s not about that. It’s about helping your community and being there for them.”

With graduation around the corner, Madisyn is looking towards her future. And while she loves giving back to her community, she has decided that being a paid firefighter or paid EMT is not the route she wishes to take. However, she plans to continue volunteering in her community and would like to start a different first responder career.

“I’d like to become a Greene County Sheriff,” Madisyn said. “I’ve known since freshman year that I wanted to be some sort of first responder, I just didn’t know where.”

Madisyn went on to share the benefits of having both firefighting and EMT skills on this career path, and how her emergency services experience will help her on this journey. She also credits these programs and SkillsUSA with putting her in environments where she has learned to be a stronger communicator.

“It’d be awesome to work myself up to the top,” Madisyn said. “To have people view me as someone who did that, to know I did it on my own time and for myself. And Questar III helped me get there.”

Robin Sobol Transition Academy Student Dasean McGriffin earns Teammate of the Month at Market 32

McGriffin first began volunteering at Market 32 through RSTA and The ARC Mid-Hudson, where he learned workplace skills such as using coupons and counting money.

He later decided that he wanted to get a job to earn money and figure out his plans for after graduating from RSTA in 2027. Through the school’s Work-Based Learning program, McGriffin has gained hands-on experience at several job sites, including Market 32, Mazzone’s Hospitality, The Recovery Room, and The Eddy Senior Living, preparing him to be hired at Market 32 with no job supports.

He was surprised to learn that he was named Teammate of the Month at his job back in the fall.

“It was so surprising to me,” he said. “Every single day, people check in to make sure I’m doing okay, and they told me I’m doing very well, building good relationships, and that they’re happy to see me every day.”

He feels good about the work he is doing and continues to learning every day.

“We learned how to stock shelves correctly, and also how to provide customer support and bag groceries,” McGriffin said. “I feel really confident about it. I actually know what I’m doing, and when no one’s around, I stand by and help others.”

When asked about his favorite part of the job, McGriffin said, “Basically everything. It’s mostly what I did when I volunteered at all these places.”

Through his experiences, McGriffin says he’s learned the importance of communication and helping others.

“I learned how to really chat with people and help them when they need it,” he noted.

McGriffin’s recognition as Teammate of the Month highlights how Work-Based Learning at RSTA is preparing students with the confidence, skills, and independence they need to succeed beyond the classroom.