Morgan Leonard enjoyed her educational experience at Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute and is ready for what’s next. The early childhood education student was one of 321 students recognized for completing their programs at CTI’s Recognition Ceremony at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie June 12.
“I’m a little emotional. It’s a very big change, but I’m extremely happy with how far I’ve come,” said the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School senior who will study business at Dutchess Community College as she considers a career in law.
“I loved CTI. It was a great experience that not many kids get and I’m very happy I did get it.”
CTI Principal Nick Millas delivered the opening and closing remarks, highlighting student achievements for signing with an employer at Career Signing Day, being a member of the National Technical Honor Society and representing CTI with SkillsUSA and Future Farmers of America.
“It’s a good step in recognizing the hard work they’ve done, and acknowledging that they’re hopefully prepared and ready for the future,” he said of the ceremony.
Dr. Jodi DeLucia, district superintendent, sat on the stage with administrators and acknowledged the great work done by this class.
“We’re very proud of them,” she said. “They’re a hard-working, dedicated group. They’ve done a lot of things on their own time this year that they didn’t have to do to become really successful, committed professionals.”
Before receiving their certificates, students and their families listened to inspiring speeches by valedictorian Dylan Soons of Arlington and salutatorian Jesse Tompkins Jr. of Rhinebeck. Both were construction students at CTI.
Soons shared his story of how he came to CTI.
“During my sophomore year, I was talking to my guidance counselor about how I loved doing construction,” he said. “She gave me two options – do the construction classes at my home school or go to CTI.”
“A couple of weeks later I went on a field trip to CTI. I went into the construction class and saw the mini house and the small projects around the classroom. That’s what I want to do, I said to myself.”
Soons told his peers to take risks and take advantage of the opportunities presented to them because if they don’t, someone else will take it.
“The only thing that stops us from achieving our fullest potential is ourselves,” he said. “I believe that CTI has led me to opportunities that I could have never imagined.”
Danielle Rocco was recognized for being a part of SkillsUSA and winning the SkillsUSA state nursing assistant title. The Rhinebeck High School student will be representing CTI and New York State at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta June 23-27.
Rocco will study nursing at the University of Alabama.
“I loved the BOCES program,” she said. “I would recommend it to pretty much everybody. It’s given me such a good background for the future I have ahead of me.”
She added, “I’ve met so many people from other schools that I would not have met if I did not come to BOCES. They have such wonderful teachers.”
