Across the agency, Dutchess BOCES employees shape and change lives for the better. The annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony is a time when all staff gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and honor the contributions of colleagues.
Board of Trustees Vice President Gully Stanford opened the ceremony by talking about seeing the evidence of the work done on campus in the many moving-up and graduation ceremonies. He said that throughout his travels, he hears ringing endorsements from government, businesses and the community for the work done at Dutchess BOCES.
District Superintendent Dr. Jodi DeLucia talked about the many end-of-year moving up, graduation, award and scholarship ceremonies held this year and all the students who earned recognition, diplomas or advancement. She also spoke of upcoming improvements to campus that will enhance safety and security, beautify the campus and improve learning opportunities.
“These improvements are about creating environments that reflect the value of the students and staff who learn and work within them. We celebrate today, but our mission continues,” she said, adding, “The momentum we have is unprecedented for BOCES.”
The ceremony recognized the Employees of the Year, staff milestones, employees earning tenure and retirees.
Employees of the Year
Kicking off the awards part of the morning, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Norah Merritt said, “It’s time to celebrate the people who make Dutchess BOCES a place to learn and grow. These awards come from your colleagues.”
And, while only five people are selected, Merritt said all 15 nominees were worthy of being recognized.
The five winners were:
- Edjane Stewart, Support Staff, IT, for consistently demonstrating dedication, patience and a genuine willingness to help others.
- Regina Mendoza, Clerical, Educational Resources, for proactively completing tasks, anticipating potential barriers and removing those barriers.
- Ryan Brigante, Instructional Support, SPC, for ensuring students transition safely between school and home, helping those who struggle with school anxiety and his ability to de-escalate situations.
- Michael Traudt, Teacher, CTI, for offering innovative ideas, bringing creativity to assignments and adding kindness and care to everything he approaches.
- Karyn Lange, Administrator, Coordinator of Related and Itinerant Services, for demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication that strengthens delivery of specialized services across Dutchess BOCES and the districts it serves.
For Brigante, being recognized was like a full-circle moment. The crisis team member has been with the agency for about eight years and says it’s the kids who keep him coming back.
“They need support in this world and I didn’t have it, so I want to be it for them,” he said.
Lange, who has worked in special education for over 30 years, said she is “honored to work at Dutchess BOCES,” and has a “very dedicated staff who show up and go above and beyond.”
She oversees services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, counseling, teachers of the deaf, teachers of the visually impaired, orientation & mobility specialists and behavior support teachers. As she completes her sixth year with the agency, Lange looks forward to continuing to provide services to students.
Years of Service
Employees tend to stick with BOCES, as evidenced by the number of employees hitting milestones of 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service this year:
20 Years
Rebecca Awe
Eric Hirsch
25 Years
Wayne Brathwaite
Lilian Caruso
Kelly Felipe
April Hart
Jodiah Jacobs
Mary Parker
Jacqueline Sharpe
Maria Sita
Sheri Tompkins
Lisa Wilson
30 Years
Brian Conte
Todd Leland
Michael Traudt
35 Years
Adam Repinz
Retirements
This year’s retirees represent 292 years of combined service.
“These individuals expanded opportunities for students and adults,” Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Denise Dzikowski said, as she introduced them. “Thank you for building the foundation on which we will continue to grow.”
John Kelly, Teacher Visually Impaired- Vicki Stillwell, Teaching Assistant, Teacher Aide
- Patti Davis, Staff Specialist - Specially Designed Instruction
- Ramsey Hall, Custodial Worker, Senior Custodial Worker
- Harrison Barritt, Teacher of English
- Eric Delahoyde, Teacher of Special Education
- Lillian Caruso, Teaching Assistant, Teacher Aide
- Stephanie Henn, Teaching Assistant
- Jacobs Jodiah, Teacher of Industrial and Tech Ed
- Rosanne Marrone, Teacher of Health Occupations
- Dawn Sanford, Teacher Aide
- Rosemarie Simmons, Teaching Assistant
- Dolores Spicer, Occupational Therapist
- Holly Townsend, Teaching Assistant, Food Service Helper
Tenure
Marla Fasano, Art- Megan Zupan, Deaf and Hearing Impaired
- Nicole Laino, Cosmetology
- Lorianne DiMarco-Evanko, General Special Education
- James Hayes, Electrical Trades
- Patricia Moran, Teaching Assistant
- Peter Hruscik, Vehicle Mechanical Repair