Archive of past home page articles 2005-2006

August 2006

A bright future for future nurses: Senior PN Class of '06 celebrate their success at Aug. 17 graduation
Nurses are needed: here in the Capital Region, across New York and throughout our nation. On August 17, seven successful grads celebrated their completion of Career & Tech's Practical Nursing (PN) program at a ceremony at the Albany campus dining room. Congratulations to (from left in photo above): Kayla Provost, Amanda Myers, Alicia Ross, Kayla Robinson, Megan Newell, Janiqua McNeil and Jacette Dobbs. Read more

76 graduate from Adult PN  program at Albany campus
Seventy-six local residents graduated the evening of June 28 from the full-time Practical Nursing for Adult Students program, marking their launch into a career where their skills are greatly needed. See photos of the Adult PN graduation

July 2006

Awards & Accolades: It's cool at the top
Career & Tech names Outstanding Students, Joseph Fuchs Award Winners for 2006

On June 14, more than 500 Career & Technical School students marked completion of their studies. A highlight of the annual ceremonies is the recognition of each campus' Outstanding Student of the Year and winner of the Joseph N. Fuchs Uniquely Challenged Award.

Rachael Dollar of Rotterdam, a Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology student, was named Outstanding Student of the Year for Career & Tech's Albany campus. In her future? Dollar predicts, "You will walk down the street and find yourself looking at the delicious pastries in the window of my bakery. I want to become a well-known professional baker and business owner."

Career & Tech's Schoharie campus Outstanding Student of the Year plans a career as an elementary school teacher. Children & Education Career Academy student Tina Marie Vedder of Cobleskill will study early childhood at SUNY Cobleskill in the fall. About her Career & Tech experience, she commented, "It is a lot more fun than 'regular' school, but also hard work. It's not too often you have a class that you are excited to go to."

The Joseph N. Fuchs Uniquely Challenged Award honors Career & Tech students who overcome significant obstacles, including special educational needs, to achieve success in their chosen programs of study. Joseph Finch of Schoharie, a student in Bill Rouleau's Building & Grounds Maintenance class, was named the 2006 Fuchs Award winner the Schoharie Career & Tech campus. Finch, said Rouleau, "deserves the award for his work ethic, positive attitude, ability to get along with others, and his sense of humor."

Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology student Melissa Sangalli of Duanesburg was named the Joseph N. Fuchs Award winner for the Albany campus. According to consultant teacher Gretchen McDonough, Sangalli "is a shining example of what this award is meant to show."   Read the full story, see more photos

Business & industry give back, again & again
Advisors team with staff for student success
Strong business and education partnerships keep our staff and students apprised of employment needs and trends, keep programs current and help us to develop new courses and curricula. Advisory Committee members also provide students and alumni with valuable opportunities for job exploration, shadowing, internship, apprenticeship and part- and full-time employment. See a list of our partners.

Charting the future of Career & Technical Education
What should career and technical education in the Capital Region look like in the year 2010 and beyond? That is the question before the division as it embarks upon a new strategic planning process. In preparation for that planning, the division authorized a series of presentations and interviews with selected members of the component school staffs. This was followed up by a survey of a larger audience of people who are familiar with our programs and have a pulse on student needs. The purpose was to gather input on where the division should be heading. Find a complete resource of information on the presentations, interviews, survey and all other materials related to the strategic planning process at Charting the Future Strategic Planning Project.

Hey, do the MOS, yeah
Computer Applications, Web Design students earn Microsoft Office Specialist and Internet Computing Core certifications
 
A number of students in Career & Tech's Computer Applications and Web Design programs have earned national Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Internet and Computing Core (IC3) certifications after passing required examinations.

The following Computer Applications students earned Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in Word software: Melissa Bihler, Jessica Wise, Cassandra Connell, MaryEllen Abrams, Brandi Bernard, Thomas Schoenfeld, Kaytlin Rosenhack and Alex Waddington.

The following Web Design students earned the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) that included passage of exams in Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online: Adam Saint, Michaela Simmons and Anton Jenkins.

The following Web Design students have passed one or two examinations toward the IC3 certification Matthew Kokes, John D. Breda, Britzelee Salgado and Ashley Brozowski. Read more

Career & Tech names Outstanding Students, Joseph Fuchs Award Winners for 2006

On June 14, more than 500 Career & Technical School students marked completion of their studies. A highlight of the annual ceremonies is the recognition of each campus' Outstanding Student of the Year and winner of the Joseph N. Fuchs Uniquely Challenged Award.

Rachael Dollar of Rotterdam, a Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology student, was named Outstanding Student of the Year for Career & Tech's Albany campus. In her future? Dollar predicts, "You will walk down the street and find yourself looking at the delicious pastries in the window of my bakery. I want to become a well-known professional baker and business owner."

Career & Tech's Schoharie campus Outstanding Student of the Year plans a career as an elementary school teacher. Children & Education Career Academy student Tina Marie Vedder of Cobleskill will study early childhood at SUNY Cobleskill in the fall. About her Career & Tech experience,she commented, "It is a lot more fun than 'regular' school, but also hard work. It's not too often you have a class that you are excited to go to."

The Joseph N. Fuchs Uniquely Challenged Award honors Career & Tech students who overcome significant obstacles, including special educational needs, to achieve success in their chosen programs of study. Joseph Finch of Schoharie, a student in Bill Rouleau's Building & Grounds Maintenance class, was named the 2006 Fuchs Award winner the Schoharie Career & Tech campus. Finch, said Rouleau, "deserves the award for his work ethic, positive attitude, ability to get along with others, and his sense of humor."

Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology student Melissa Sangalli of Duanesburg was named the Joseph N. Fuchs Award winner for the Albany campus. According to consultant teacher Gretchen McDonough, Sangalli "is a shining example of what this award is meant to show."   Read the full story, see more photos

Mr. Rouleau and Joseph Finch

[Rachel Dollar is pictured below with Capital Region BOCES Board of Education Vice President Sandra Beloncik (left) and President Lynne Lenhardt.]

As seen on TV!
Capital News 9 spotlights Lodging Management alumnus Robert Hawk
Robert Hawk of Cohoes, a Class of 2006 alumnus of Career & Tech's Lodging Management program, was recently interviewed and videotaped by Capital News 9 while working at the Desmond Inn, Colonie. Hawk was part of the first class of students to complete the program, which was launched last September. Area hotels The Desmond Inn, Albany Marriott and Parker Inn, Schenectady, have all supported Lodging Management students, providing job shadowing, internship and employment opportunities.
 

Hands-on learning
Student ingenuity brings auto educator to the table
Scott Hamel, an educational assistant in Career & Tech's Automotive Trades Techology program, tries out a picnic table that Building Trades students custom-crafted to accommodate his wheelchair. Students Josh Strain of Coeymans (pictured at center) and Matt Williams of Guilderland (pictured at right) and Adelin Maksuti of Delmar extended each end of a standard picnic table by two feet and added extra bracing so, according to Hamel, "I can eat at a picnic table for the first time rather than having to hold my food over my lap." Picnic tables are one of many projects completed by students in Doug Harple's Building Trades class at the Albany campus and Maryella Bell's Construction Trades Technology class at Career & Tech's Schoharie campus.

Future fueled by fiber: Verizon tech brings mobile lab to campus
Tom Kelly, a field technician with Verizon, instructed Career & Tech students in the fine points of fiber optic-based communications technology during a June 2006 visit to the Albany campus. Mr. Kelly (in orange shirt) brought a mobile lab to demonstrate Verizon's FiOS (a Gaelic word for knowledge) fiber to the premises telecommunications service to students in the Computer & Network Technician and Electrical Trades programs. FiOS is designed to provide broadband Internet access, digital cable and voice-over-Internet-protocol telephone service. Business partners like Verizon provide valuable, real-life, real-time learning experiences for Career & Tech students and staff.

June 2006
Learning under the hood at Gable Motors in Cobleskill
Schoharie campus Automotive Trades Technology students Joe Mayott, Shawn Cummings and Greg Dixon did not always report to Mr. James' classroom for school during spring semester. Instead, they learned off campus through work-based learning internships at Gable Chevrolet and Gable Dodge in Cobleskill. The students, who all also attend Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, acquired valuable on-the-job, real-world experience while applying the skills and knowledge learned at Career & Tech. Gable General Manager Vincent Massarotti is a 1972 alumnus of Career & Tech's Automotive Trades Technology program. View his photo and read more about Joe Mayott.

Gable Chevrolet technician Kriss Binder (left) looks on as technician Matt Henzler (right) works under the hood with Schoharie Career & Tech student intern Joe Mayott. Henzler is a Career & Tech alumnus. Below, Gable Chevrolet Service Manager Bob Becker (far left) and Owner Jody Gable (center) welcomed Auto Trades Tech student Joe Mayott into their dealership to learn as an intern.

Just one word: Plastic
Mention auto body work and most of us think of fixing twisted metal. Yet anyone who's found scratches on his or her bumper knows today's cars have lots of plastic parts that aren't so simple to fix. Auto Body Collision Repair student Collin Hunter (at left) recently fine-tuned his skills in repairing plastic by welding, using plastic adhesive and refinishing bumpers to their original appearance. A Scotia-Glenville senior in Mr. Bush's class, Collin plans to work in the lucrative auto body field when he graduates.

Learning in the field
A Great Escape from the classroom but not from learning
Several Career & Tech students will head up the Northway on June 9 to learn what goes on behind the scenes at the Six Flags Great Escape Theme Park, Lodge and Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury. They will observe daily business operations, promotions and marketing including Web site administration, human resources, finance and other departments. The students also will tour the park and new lodge and indoor water park. Classes making their great escape will include Computer Applications, Web Design, and Office Operations.

Perfect Attendees are off to the movies
Of more than 120 students achieving perfect attendance for third quarter, five lucky winners of a drawing are headed to the movies - - for free! Congrats to Melissa VanAmerongen, Ryan McEleney, Fabio Urbano, Brandon Rejack and Sarah Kingsland.

Career & Tech honors Bob Janetsky of Quandt's Foodservice
The Culinary Arts & Hospitality department at Career & Tech formally honored Robert Janetsky, program manager of Quandt's Foodservice, at the May 7 Springwater Bistro Scholarship Dinner. At the dinner, Chef-teachers Brucker, Dolan, Faltskog and Haas said they were "taking the time to recognize, honor and thank Bob Janetsky for being a tremendous asset to our Culinary Arts program both as an advisor and supplier. Bob has helped us tremendously as educators. He has supported the Capital Region Career & Technical School, American Culinary Federation, and, most importantly, our students." The chef-teachers also lauded Janetsky as a professional who has excelled in his field and served the community. Janetsky and Quandt's have been key members of the school's advisory committees.

Springwater Bistro Scholarship dinner, silent auction serve up $3,500 for our students
The 3rd annual Springwater Bistro Scholarship Dinner and Silent Auction on May 7 raised $3,500 for deserving Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology students at our school. The event, hosted by Chef-Owner David Britton, takes place in the Springwater Bistro on Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, across from the racetrack. Generous diners enjoyed a special "Malto Italiano"  multi-course dinner and dessert designed by Chef Mario Batali and prepared by a team of chefs with assistance from our own Culinary students. They and other visitors also took part in a terrific silent auction held at the same time for no admission cost. Thank you to all donors and supporters

Auto team qualifies, competes at SUNY Morrisville
Auto Tech and Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake student Nate Lolik and AYES Auto Tech and Bethlehem student Tom Pusatere are competed at the AAA Ford New York State Student Skills Competition on May 17 and 18 at SUNY Morrisville. Nate and Tom, accompanied by teacher Dan Rupracht, qualified for the event by scoring well on a written exam earlier this year. They matched skills and competed in timed events against their peers from across the state.

May 2006

They gave up their Saturday to serve school & community

Computer Apps students, teacher volunteer for National Youth Service Day

Career & Tech Computer Applications students (from left) Candice Holloway, Rachel Estrada and Amanda Giminiani and their teacher Stephanie Ferlazzo volunteered for National Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 29. They spent a good part of the day raking, clearing trash and beautifying the grounds leading into the Albany campus. The students said they gave up part of their weekend "for the volunteer experience." Holloway and Estrada also attend Schenectady High School, while Giminiani also attends Voorheesville High School. The students and Ms. Ferlazzo were part of a region-wide effort coordinated at our BOCES by Nancy Jones of the CAPIT program. The volunteers capped their day with a picnic, music and get-together at Schenectady's Central Park. Thanks team!

A fastfood star is born
Attention everyone: The Parmella Project has officially launched. Students in Chef Faltskog's Culinary Arts II class premiered their Chicken Parmella creation at a March 28 taste testing and news conference. They're hoping fastfood giant McDonald's will be interested. In the photo below, Culinary Arts student Andre Smith brushes an eggwash on the Parmella rolls before baking. Andre also attends Schalmont High School. Hungry for more info? Read on.

VT&T students to walk for St. Jude Children Research Hospital
Students in Mrs. Bernard's Vocational Training & Transition class are planning to raise funds through a Walk for St. Jude Children Research Hospital on May 12. They will be looking for sponsors and donations to help the Memphis hospital, which focuses on childhood cancer treatment. Help a great cause: e-mail Mrs. Bernard at dbernard@gw.neric.org.

Lodging Management Team takes 2nd in national competition!
Lodging Management students Elizabeth Stalker (Ravena), Bailey Miller (Ravena), Christopher Thomas (Voorheesville) and Robert Hawk (Cohoes) [pictured above with teacher Chef Christine D'Alessandro, CEC,CCE]came in second place in the 2006 National Lodging Management Competition held April 5-7 in Orlando, Fla. They competed against 10 other student teams from across the nation and beyond: competitors came from Cuba, Washington, Guam, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Mexico and South Carolina. Each team competed in night audit, hotel room inspection, food and beverage analysis, and sales and marketing analysis. Awards for Career & Tech's team include trophies, certificates and scholarships. An impressive showing for students who are in the very first year of the program at our school and who competed against peers who have covered the same material over two years or longer! Special thanks to the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association and Vice President Jan Marie Chesterton for their sponsorship and ongoing support.

Schoharie Construction Tech students connect with pets, Home Builders, OSHA certification
Students in Maryella Bell's Construction Technology class at the Schoharie campus are designing and building pet care items including kitty condos and bird playsets to support WTEN-TV 10's Pet Connection animal welfare effort. The class is also starting a student chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. They also completed the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) 10-Hour Course and will receive their Certification.

Great eat$ for $cholarship$
Sssshhhh! Silent Auction will also raise $
Delight your tastebuds while raising scholarship dollars for Culinary Arts students. The 3rd annual Springwater Bistro Scholarship Dinner is slated (plated?!) for May 7 with reservations starting at 5:30 pm and taken up till 9 pm. Owned by Chef David Britton, the restaurant is located on Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, across from the racetrack. Cost is $75 per person or $55 for students for a  special "Malto Italiano"  multi-course dinner and dessert designed by Chef Mario Batali and prepared by a team of chefs with assistance from our own Culinary students. A Silent Auction with really cool items will be held at the same time for no admission cost; auction donations are welcome. Reservations should be made by calling the Springwater Bistro at 584-8108.

April 2006

AYES alumnus and national champ Todd Clark (far right) recently visited AYES Auto Tech students at their classroom

Mr. Bevan goes to Japan
Career & Tech English teacher Ken Bevan has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to travel to Japan this summer with a group of U.S. educators. Congratulations Mr. Bevan.

Alt for one and one for Alt:
Unity Day '06
Albany campus Alternative Education students marked Unity Day II on March 28. Unity Day was established in 2005 by the Alt Ed teachers as a way to bring the students together for a day of workshops and educational presentations. Teacher Erik Sweet reports, "This year, we had presentations from Master Pai from Pai's Tae Kwon Do, Dr. Sam Bowser on his experiences as a scientist in Antarctica, and Alberto Guzman from Conifer Park. The students in Alt Ed also participated in individual workshops with their faculty advisors. Unity Day will continue to be an important annual tradition in our school."

Alt Ed senior Joseph Kozloski (left) and junior Craig McMillan learn about self defense from Master Thomas Pai during Unity Day.

more photos

Colonie Center supports Fashion / Retail students' upcoming Paris trip
On Saturday, April 1, students in Career & Tech's Fashion Merchandising / Retail Management classes worked as live models at Boscov's at Colonie Center, where they also gave out samples and ran contests and giveaways. They gained  practical experience in modeling and ettiquette while earning a donation of $600 for their 2007 trip to Paris.

Smokin' project - Welding & Metal Fabrication student Tony Miesowicz of Coeymans works on a barbecue smoker, one of three the class has custom-created for paying clients. [photo above by TJ D'Ercole]

Win = scholarship dollars for Lodging Management team
Carl Winters of Johnson & Wales University (center) recently awarded $4,000 scholarships to Lodging Management students (from left) Elizabeth Stalker (Ravena), Bailey Miller (Ravena), Robert Hawk (Cohoes) and Christopher Thomas (Voorheesville) in honor of their winning the New York State Lodging Management competition on Feb. 2 in Cooperstown. Each student also received a $2,000 scholarship to Kendall College, Chicago that could increase to between $5,000 and $24,000 if they win the national competition in Florida in April.

A bouquet of awards
Not to be outdone by the SkillsUSA regional competition crew, students and faculty from the Floral Design and Botanical Services programs brought home a bouquet of awards from the annual Hudson Valley Flower Show at HVCC on March 25. Our students took first place in the Senior Prom and Mellow Yellow categories, second place in Mellow Yellow, third place in Senior Prom and Mellow Yellow, and honorable mention in Senior Prom, Spring Magic, Mellow Yellow, Creative Comtemplation, Out of the Box and Complementary Colors.

March 2006

Tony Miesowicz (left), and Chris Couse of Clifton Park with the barbecue smoker. Another smoker has just been painted by Auto Body Refinishing students and is almost ready to cook. Tony and Chris are full-day Career & Tech students.

SSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!
It's a (very tasty) secret
Students in Chef Faltskog's Culinary Arts II class have developed a tasty and unique sandwich that they would like to offer to McDonald's. TimeWarner Public Access Channel 16/Schenectady is producing a video they can send with their proposal. The students even wrote and performed a theme song, and a student-run news conference is in the works. Pictured below, students Tosha Giovanonne and Rachael Dollar look on as Channel 16 Station Manager Todd Wilson shoots raw footage of their cooking product.

see more photos

The roles are played but the issues are real for these future docs
A sister's refusal to learn about her sibling's schizophrenia. A nurse with bipolar disorder who sacrifices sleep and exercise despite her doctor's warnings. An Ivy League-educated young man with mental illness who disappoints his family by working 'below his ability level.' A woman with schizophrenia who dares not to form friendships regardless of her therapist's guidance. Viewing such scenarios as role played by actors in the CDPC Mental Health Players, students in Dorothy Negri's New Visions: Health Careers Exploration class learned about real-life aspects of mental illness likely not discussed in textbooks.

The students, whose career goals include nurse, physician, physical therapist and psychiatrist, among others, followed up a March 10 performance by the educational acting troupe with a series of questions and answers that expanded their knowledge and understanding. The role play was presented at Temple Israel, site of the New Visions classroom, next to St. Peter's Hospital, Albany. The CDPC Mental Health Players are working professionals and retirees who volunteer their time and talent to educate others about mental illness.


New Visions: Health Careers Exploration student Evan Place (left) poses a question to the CDPC Mental Health Players as classmates Julianna Provost and Birant Akbay look on. Evan also attends Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, Julianna also attends Tamarack H.S., and Birant is also a student at Niskayuna H.S.  A second classroom for New Visions: Health Careers Exploration is located at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.

Food Cart!
The announcement of "Food Cart!" is a Friday tradition at the Albany campus, when Culinary Arts & Hospitality and Food Services students offer for sale to fellow students and staff carts full of their tasty work. A recent Friday found Rachel Cookfair (left) and Erica McKeown selling the most popular items: desserts! Rachel also attends Scotia-Glenville High School and Erica also attends Shenendehowa High School. Monies raised support student activities and the Culinary Arts program.

Congratulations to our newest Honor Society inductees
In honor of excellence at Career & Tech and in their home high schools, four students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society on February 8. They are (from left: Rachael Dollar (Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology), Elizabeth Hart (Early Childhood Education), Victoria Duncan (Early Childhood Education) and Corey O'Donnell (Welding & Metal Fabrication). Rachael also attends Mohonasen H.S., Elizabeth also attends Guilderland H.S., Victoria and Corey also attend Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk H.S. read more

SkillsUSA students raise Katrina funds
Students in the Albany campus SkillsUSA Chapter raised more than $1,500 for Hurricane Katrina Relief, an outstanding achievement. Included in the donation are matching funds from a local radio station, which Chapter President Rachael Dollar and Vice President Tosha Giovannone challenged to match student-raised monies. SkillsUSA students do lots of great things for others; the Katrina fund-raiser is just one of many intitiatives on both campuses.
 

February 2006

Congratulations to our newest Honor Society inductees

In honor of excellence at Career & Tech and in their home high schools, four students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society on February 8. They are (from left: Rachael Dollar (Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology), Elizabeth Hart (Early Childhood Education), Victoria Duncan (Early Childhood Education) and Corey O'Donnell (Welding & Metal Fabrication). Rachael also attends Mohonasen H.S., Elizabeth also attends Guilderland H.S., Victoria and Corey also attend Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk H.S. read more

Tech Valley Summer Camp seeks fall '06 8th graders for fun educational week
Capital Region school districts are invited to nominate students (one boy and one girl) who will enter 8th grade next fall for Tech Valley Summer Camp, which will be held August 7-11 2006. The fun and education-packed camp is presented jointly by the Capital Region BOCES and Questar III BOCES. read more

Auto students solid in regional contest

AYES Auto Tech students Brandon Craig and Tom Feulner, pictured here with teacher Rich Bellizzi (far left) and BG Products rep Jay Young, took 3rd place in the 2006 ENYCAR Regional High School Automotive Technology Competition in January at HVCC. Craig and Feulner prepped at sponsor DeNooyer Chevrolet.

Automotive Trades Technology students Amanda Laird and Matt Trojak, from Dan Rupracht's class, also made a solid showing. Their training sponsor was Orange Motors. The challenging competition is held each year by the Eastern N.Y. Coalition of Automotive Retailers and supported by a number of businesses including BG Products.

Career & Tech Blood Drive a success
Congratulations to all of the students and staff who participated in the recent SkillsUSA Red Cross Blood Drive. The successful event, coordinated by Teaching Assistant Alyce Lyons, collected much needed blood and blood products, including 55 pints of blood and also double red cells from two persons.

Field trips take students to NYC, Troy, Boston, London and more
Career & Tech students sure do get around: around town, around the state and around the world! Upcoming field trips include a visit by New Visions: Health Careers students to the NYS Theatre Institute in Troy; a February break trip by Fashion Merchandising/Retail Management students to London, England; a visit by New Visions: Public Communications students to the Hearst Corp. in Manhattan; a trip by Floral Design and Botanical Services students to the Boston Flower Show; a visit by Cosmetology students the International Beauty Show in Manhattan.

Acting up in Theatre Arts Tech class at Proctor's

AYES Automotive Technician student Lucas Munroe is named 2005 Fonda Speedway Rookie Driver of the Year
AYES Automotive Technician student Lucas Munroe of Duanesburg was recently named 2005 Rookie Driver of the Year, Sportsman, by Fonda Speedway. Luke, who is also a junior at Schalmont High School, received his award at a recent banquet at Mallozzi's. Read more

January 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
[Edible snow dudes by Culinary Arts students Rachael Dollar and Tosha Giovannone; see story below under Care-reer & Tech]

Alt Ed's Josh Eiffe wins VFW award for Voice of Democracy essay

Josh Eiffe of Halfmoon, a student in the Alternative High School at Career & Tech's Albany campus, is the local winner and third place New York State winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy Award, in honor of an essay he wrote. With Josh from left are VFW Voice of Democracy Chair Howard Steggs, VFW Post 1498 Senior Vice Commander (and proud grandfather) John Dahoda, VFW Post 1498 Quartermaster Art DeVoe and VFW Post 1498 Service Officer Bob Piper. Josh was presented with his award during class on December 20.

December 2005

Culinary students' creations brighten nursing home residents' holidays

Culinary Arts students Tosha Giovannone and Rachel Dollar created gingerbread houses, complete with edible penguins, people and snow dudes to brighten the holidays of local nursing home residents. "Working with fondant (icing) was a challenge but it was fun!" they report.

Cosmetology students raise funds for Make A Wish
Cosmetology students raised $963 for Make A Wish through a marathon fund-raiser day on December 22 at the Albany campus. The students shared their talents and skills in hair, nail and skin care and held drawings for some terrific donated door prizes. Great work!

Atria seniors enjoy students' talents
On December 14, Atria Crossgates senior citizens enjoyed a holiday party for which students from Culinary Arts, Floral Design, Botanical Services, Cosmetology, Alt Ed shared their talents, energies, time, knowledge. Special thanks to Atria's food service director, Karen Carkner, for initiating and coordinating this great event.

Linette Crammond wins NYS Vanguard Award for Non-Traditional Students; two other students are finalists
"Inspiring"  "well-rounded honors student" "mature and determined" are just a few of the words used by teachers to describe Linette Crammond of Esperance, an Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology and Alternative Education student at the Schoharie campus who also studied Automotive Trades Technology. Top-level educators in the state agree: they have selected Linette as the 2005 winner of the New York State Vanguard Award for Non-Traditional Students in honor of her leadership, accomplishments and inspiration for others.

Presented annually by the state Center for Innovation in Career Development and the New York State Education Department, the Vanguard Award honors outstanding students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs which are not traditional to their gender. Linette were formally honored at the annual New York State Tech Prep Conference in Saratoga Springs on November 7.

In addition to Linette, Career & Tech had the distinction of having two other dedicated and inspiring students were selected from applications from across the state to be Vanguard Award finalists. Justin Rivituso is a Nurse Assistant program student at the Albany campus, and  Elizabeth Stalker is enrolled in Lodging Management, also in Albany. Congratulations Linette, Elizabeth and Justin!

Career & Tech partner Albany Marriott Hotel is named Capital Region Business Partner by the NYS Tech Prep Consortium
The Tech Prep Consortium, a group of high school and college educators and administrators, has named the Albany Marriott Hotel Capital Region Business Partner of 2005. The award recognizes the Marriott's commitment to providing real-life and college-level learning experiences for students enrolled in Career & Tech programs including Lodging Management, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, and Food Services. The Marriott has long supported Career and Technical Education in the Capital Region.

Energy smart building & caring students
Students in Mr. Harple's Building Trades class learned about energy-smart construction and the science of energy production and conservation in November from representatives of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA). Energy conservation is a key consideration in both commercial and residential building projects, particularly in light of today's fuel costs. Mr. Harple's students are building a modular home -right in their classroom - for Better Neighborhoods, a community agency that provides homes for those in need of affordable housing.

Pinstriping & custom painting leader shares talent, knowledge with Auto Body students
Davies Pinstriping & Custom Painting owners Dave Davies, Sr. and Dave Davies, Jr. are sharing their considerable talent and knowledge with students in Dan Bush's Auto Body Refinishing class. The students will learn how to design, layout and custom-paint hood designs. Located in Duanesburg, Davies Pinstriping & Custom Painting is well-known in our region for their work not only on automobiles and trucks, but also on horse carriages and historical restoration projects. Auto Body students also recently toured Kaiser's Body Shop in Latham. Career & Tech students benefit greatly from  the schools' relationships with business partners. to photos

November 2005
Nano Nano: Alt Ed students pursue high-tech knowledge at Cornell University 
Fawn DeMute, Paul Knapik and Gary Notaro, students in Career & Tech's Alternative Ed program, took part in an October 29th workshop on Nanomachines at Cornell University in Ithaca. The students toured the Cornell Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology; imaged atoms using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM); experienced a three-dimensional, stereo virtual reality environment (the CAVE); and visited a high-tech physics laboratory.

Floral, Botanical students will add to Tulip Fest beauty
Students in Meg Bugler's Floral Design and Botanical Services classes will be planting tulip bulbs with the head gardener of Albany in Washington Park this month. The students may even design their own tulip beds, which will be enjoyed at next year's Tulip Fest, one of Albany's biggest events.

Charting the Future
Career & Tech is working with the schools it serves to form a strategic plan for the future. Our goal is to not only continue meeting the needs of students by providing state-of-the-art career and technical education, but also to anticipate future needs and trends.  More info

October 2005
Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair students analyze oil in grant-funded study; only NATEF H.S. program in NY 
Students in Mr. Frink's Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair class are analyzing engine oil from CDTA busses and Golub Corp. trucks in a project funded by a grant from Toyota Corp. Science teacher Ms. Arunasalam is working with the students as they use specialized equipment to measure oil impurieties and breakdown. 

Halloween is always horrorshow at Career & Tech for students and staff at both campuses. Activities include special lunches and treats, classroom fun and of course costumes and makeup, ably assisted by Cosmetology students, who get to practice their theatrical makeup and creative hairstyling skills.

Theatre Arts Technology's cast of characters sport Halloween makeup created by Cosmetology students