DID YOU KNOW?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineers will see the most job growth in the engineering field, followed by mechanical and industrial engineers, respectively.

John Jay senior Livia DeRose (left), a Child Development and Education student, is interning with kindergarten teacher Colleen Walsh at Increase Miller Elementary School. 

Internships are one of the cornerstones of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center programs at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES. Many are well underway this school year, and others will begin soon.

Seniors in Melissa Davis’ Childhood Development and Education program are interning in district schools throughout Putnam and northern Westchester, assisting teachers and helping to create lesson plans.

Samantha Stofko of Carmel High School is interning at a second-grade class at Kent Primary School. John Jay senior Livia DeRose is interning in a kindergarten class at Increase Miller Elementary School in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. “All of my seniors are in districts at internships now,” said Davis. 

Veterinary Science students are interning at Muscoot Farm, working with chickens, turkeys, goats, and other animals. “At Muscoot, the students learn about the operation of a farm as well as about all their resident animals,” said CTE teacher Christina Urbanski. “They work hands on with them, feeding, cleaning, and grooming. They also learn about the different body systems of each animal.” Tyler Evans, from Croton-Harmon High School, and Adriana Zazzini, from Walter Panas, are among several students who recently helped out with the chickens.

CTE teacher Maria Pontbriand said that her second-year Medical Assistant students began the Northwell Health Career Development Certificate Program recently. “This course, sponsored by Northwell Health, is designed to provide students with a broad view of the expansive field of health care and the wide range of opportunities available to them,” she said.

New Visions Health students will begin rotations at Northern Westchester Hospital Center this month, and Nursing Assistant students will begin internships as well. Sports Medicine students will also intern at various facilities, including chiropractic offices and physical therapy settings.

Work-based-learning coordinators Melissa Crea and Jen Drapala assist teachers with finding appropriate placements. They have helped place New Visions Engineering students, who are busy working in professional offices throughout Westchester and Putnam counties. ENL Cosmo and Barbering and HVAC students are also doing internships.

New Visions Engineering and Mahopac High School students Geo deClermont and Josh Chung are currently interning at Zierick Manufacturing in Mount Kisco. Joe Turcott, Zierick’s financial controller, is pleased with the work of the students and the BOCES relationship.

“It has been a pleasure for Zierick Manufacturing to give both current and past students the opportunity to spend time in a factory environment,” he said. “The fact that they are willing to work beyond the requirements set forth by BOCES sends a positive message to the employer. Our hope is to continue our relationship and develop new engineers as we go.”

Crea and Drapala have helped students in other CTE programs volunteer through Volunteer New York, assisting at an animal rescue, tutoring underprivileged children, and becoming pen pals with seniors. Students have also had opportunities to help fix broken furniture and electronics at the Pound Ridge Repair Cafe. 

“We also have a relationship with Caramoor Center for the Arts, where Urban Forestry, Masonry, and Carpentry students help repair, build, and maintain the grounds and trees on the property,” said Crea.

Veterinary Science student Adriana Zazzini helps with the chickens at Muscoot Farm.

Geo deClermont (left) and Josh Chung are interning at Zierick Manufacturing.

HVAC students engage in hands-on learning with teacher Doug Andreotti.

With 55 students in the PNW BOCES Career and Technical Education Center’s HVAC, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting program, most of whom have an eye to entering the trade after high school, northern Westchester and Putnam residents can rest easy in the knowledge that they’ll be able to get their HVAC issues resolved. 

The two-year program for high school juniors and seniors trains students using real field equipment and gives them experience performing actual repairs and adjustments. 

Somers senior Wyatt Brown plans to pursue a career in HVAC after graduation. “I like it a lot,” he says of the class. “It’s helped me decide on my future.” With some work experience already under his belt, Wyatt says he’s looking at SUNY Delhi and SUNY Alfred to further his training. 

As he worked on wiring a small air conditioning unit, William Travis from Yorktown High School said he’s also considering studying in the field after graduation. But either way he is happy to have acquired the skills at CTE. “It’s really good to know how to do this type of work,” he said.

As the only girl in the program, Walter Panas student Karina Jumbo stands out, but that doesn’t hold her back. A student in the English as a New Language Learner Career Academy (ENL) Bilingual Trades program, she chose to study HVAC because her brother and uncle work in the trade. She said she’s finding it interesting, and she “loves putting things together.” 

The HVAC curriculum is designed to allow students to learn the basics of plumbing and electricity all the way up to the installation of equipment through troubleshooting and set up. By the end of two years they will have worked on everything from home refrigerators to advanced commercial equipment. Students may also participate in an internship as well as receive Environmental Protection Agency certification. 

Daniel Sugrue, Briarcliff (facing camera), helps put a car fire out.

Law Enforcement student Daniel Sugrue, a junior at Briarcliff High School, recently helped put out a car fire on Route 9A. As a member of the Briarcliff Volunteer Fire Department, Daniel has demonstrated bravery and dedication.

When asked if he was nervous helping to put the fire out, Daniel replied, “No. We have done car fire drills at the firehouse before, so I felt prepared.”

Daniel hopes to work as a firefighter or police officer one day, something Law Enforcement teacher Tom Houlahan (known to students as “Sarge”) said he’d be well suited for.

“Dan is an awesome kid,” said Houlahan. He is stellar academically, and he is really great with all the hands-on skills like handcuffing and baton training. I’m so proud of him.”

“Sarge is a great teacher,” said Dan. “This program has really taught me a lot.”

In the first year of the two-year Law Enforcement program, students are introduced to the functions of the criminal justice system, including the responsibilities of the police, the court system, and corrections. In the second year, students are introduced to the psychological and sociological causes of crime. 

ENL Alum Shares Success Story

ENL alum Pedro Ramos (center) visits his CTE teachers and current students.

Pedro Ramos joined the English as a New Language Academy at PNW BOCES in 2014 to help him strengthen his English proficiency. Recently he accepted a job with an acquisitions firm in San Francisco, after getting his management degree from SUNY Binghamton. Ramos visited the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center program recently to speak to students about his journey and encourage them on their own.

The 2017 ENL graduate, who returns often to speak to CTE students about his experience, credits the ENL program for much of his success. 

“We are over the moon about Pedro’s accomplishments,” said ENL teacher Ellen Sugrue-Dolan. “He is always so generous with his time when talking to new students. I love watching them when he is speaking….He talks about setting goals and staying focused, but he also talks about the reality of the difficulties one has adjusting to a new language and culture. I’m so grateful to him for always returning to the Tech Center to impart wisdom and inspire other students.”

Medical Assistant Students Promote Healthy New Year

What better way to prepare for 2022 than by adopting a healthier eating plan? Medical Assistant students Jenna Magliari and Natalie Mastrantoni, Mahopac, and Leia Lacayo and Amanda Basile, Lakeland, used knowledge from their Westchester Community College course to help educate students and staff to do just that. They created a bulletin board encouraging a healthier lifestyle in 2022 with their message of New Year, New Diet, stressing the benefit of incorporating principles of the Mediterranean Diet. The regimen consists of the region’s traditional fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seafood, and olive oil and promotes physical and mental well-being.

As part of their Medical Assistant program, students can earn up to 12 college credits. They also participate in work-based learning to further their administration and clinical skills and services as they prepare to go to college or enter the workforce in doctors' offices, hospitals, and clinics. Students can also earn national certification.