Eleven students from the Career & Technical Institute (CTI) at Dutchess BOCES are heading to work as soon as they graduate where they will put the skills they learned in their respective courses to good use.
They connected with their future employers through Dutchess BOCES classes and work-based learning opportunities. Representatives from employers such as Locks that Rock Hair Design and Veith Electric came to CTI’s Conference Center on June 5 to have students sign a commitment letter to start a career with them. The first ever Signing Day was modeled after how some schools hold celebrations when student athletes are committing to a college for a particular sport. CTI Job Placement Specialist Sharon Myers thanked the instructors, administrators and BOCES’ various partners for their support in making opportunities like this possible for students.
“Thank you all for being here and being part of our future,” Myers said. “We can’t do it, unless we do it together.” Myers, a 1984 BOCES graduate herself, encouraged the departing students to return to BOCES to be guest speakers and provide career opportunities to the next generation. “You guys are really ahead of the game,” Myers said. “Hopefully you come back and pay it forward.” 
Robert Loucks, of Security and Law Enforcement, is joining the US Navy where many of the workout skills he learned in instructor Frank Kolarik’s class will come in handy. “We’re doing the standard police force fitness test and it’s similar to every branch in the military,” Loucks said. “We just learn respect; we have to be in uniform, line up, stand up and march.” Loucks chose the Navy because of the many opportunities it offers, including traveling the world. “I knew the Navy had offers that other branches didn’t,” Loucks said. “That really stuck out to me.”
Landon Walton, of Automotive Technology, appreciates getting the chance to work at Ruge’s Auto Group; an opportunity he said would be hard to get without attending BOCES. “It feels good just knowing you’re most likely a step ahead of the others,” Walton said. “You’re already set on what you’re going to do.” John Alterio and Joanne Holmes from Ruge’s Auto Group visited the program at CTI and had the students in their shop working side-by-side with experienced technicians.
“I am happy that in three weeks you will be working full time for us,” said John Alterio
Congratulations to these students and good luck with your future endeavors: 
• Dillon Contarino, Automotive Technology, will work at Top Tier Automotive
• Aaron Johnson, Security and Law Enforcement, will join the US Army
• Philip Lamberton, Security and Law Enforcement, will join the US Army
• Tatayana Lovelace, Welding, will work at Hatfield Metal Fabrication, Inc.
• Robert Loucks, Security and Law Enforcement, will join the US Navy
• Matthew Mangione, Electric, will join the US Air Force
• Kayleen Padella, Cosmetology, will work at Locks That Rock Hair Design
• Devon Shiflet, Automotive Technology, will work at Ruge’s Auto Group
• Noah Scott, Automotive Technology, will work at Ruge’s Auto Group
• Landon Walton, Automotive Technology, will work at Ruge’s Auto Group
• Connor Young, Electric, will work at Veith Electric