Category Archives: Career & Technical Education

REC students receive awards

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Questar III’s Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) in Troy honored students for achievement in academics and craftsmanship at the school’s Annual Awards Night on June 6 at Rensselaer City School District.

 

Focused on providing skills for the 21st century workforce, Questar III offers students career and technical educational programs (CTE) for professional training and the opportunity to acquire industry-related certifications while they’re still in high school. Most students continue their education at community colleges or technical institutes.

 

The 2013 scholarship winners from Questar III’s REC are:

 

•           Joshua Capra- AIT (Hoosic Valley)

•           Juan Diego Cruz- Auto Technologies (Schodack)

•           Jacob Hallenbeck- HVAC (East Greenbush)

•           Joseph Madigan- HVAC (Hoosic Valley)

•           Melina Lisosky- Culinary Arts (Schodack)

•           Sierra Owens- Culinary Arts (Averill Park)

•           Kayla Sharpe- Cosmetology (Hoosic Valley)

•           Chelsea Tufts- AIT (Lansingburgh)

 

 

Bryant & Stratton College $1000 Scholarships

 

•           Raychal Bariteau- Criminal Justice (Brunswick)

•           Marc Bowman- Criminal Justice (Lansingburgh)

•           Alannah O’Dell- Criminal Justice (New Lebanon)

 

Thirty-two students from REC were also inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Six additional students were re-inducted for a second year of membership. Induction into National Technical Honor Society is the country’s highest award for excellence in CTE.

 

The inductees took the pledge of membership and participated in the lighting of candles which represented each of the attributes of a National Technical Honor Society member: skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

 

To qualify for National Technical Honor Society, students must maintain an average of 90 or above for three quarters in their career-tech program, an average of 85 or above for three quarters at their home school, have five or fewer absences for three quarters, receive a recommendation from a teacher, and perform 25 or more hours of community service.

 

The following students were honored on June 6:

 

Two Year Members:

Raychal Bariteau- Criminal Justice (Brunswick)

Joshua Capra- AIT (Hoosic Valley)

Avery Dorresteyn- Criminal Justice (Averill Park)

Jacob Hallenbeck- HVAC (East Greenbush)

Joseph Madigan- HVAC (Hoosic Valley)

Allan McNeil- Aviation Maintenance (Averill Park)

 

First Year Inductees:

Jazmine Ballard- Criminal Justice (Troy)

Parker Bristol- Aviation Maintenance (Lansingburgh)

Kaitlin Cancelliere- AIT (East Greenbush)

Meagan Chittenden- Culinary Arts (Schodack)

Tanya Donohue- Criminal Justice (Troy)

Stephen Frese- HVAC (East Greenbush)

Edwin Gerena- Criminal Justice (Lansingburgh)

Alexander Glodny- Criminal Justice (Berlin)

Samantha Golden- Criminal Justice (Averill Park)

Shauna Hoffman- Criminal Justice (Berlin)

Katrina Kardelky- Cosmetology (Averill Park)

Kari Law- Criminal Justice (Averill Park)

Joseph Lindeman- HVAC (Averill Park)

Melina Lisosky- Culinary Arts (Schodack)

Alex Listing- Aviation Maintenance (Averill Park)

Barbara MacLeod- CNA (East Greenbush)

Luke Mariano- HVAC (Brunswick)

Seth Mills- HVAC (East Greenbush)

Alannah O’Dell- Criminal Justice (New Lebanon)

Sierra Owens- Culinary Arts (Averill Park)

Victoria Reinhart- Hospitality & Lodging (Schodack)

Nicholas Rifenburgh- AIT (Hoosic Valley)

Matthew Roden- Criminal Justice (Brunswick)

Schuyler Sardi- Aviation Maintenance (East Greenbush)

Cheyenne Seel- Criminal Justice (Berlin)

Kayla Sharpe- Cosmetology (Hoosic Valley)

Taliah Tillman- Aviation Maintenance (Troy)

Alisha Tobin- Criminal Justice (East Greenbush)

Amanda Traxon- Intro to Food Services (East Greenbush)

Chelsea Tufts- AIT (Lansingburgh)

Kristen Vooris- Criminal Justice (East Greenbush)

Cassandra West- Criminal Justice (Brunswick)

CGEC students receive awards

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Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center (CGEC) in Hudson honored students for achievement in academics and craftsmanship at the school’s Annual Awards Night on June 4 at Columbia-Greene Community College.

 

Focused on providing skills for the 21st century workforce, Questar III offers students career and technical educational programs (CTE) for professional training and the opportunity to acquire industry-related certifications while they’re still in high school. Most students continue their education at community colleges or technical institutes.

 

The 2013 scholarship winners from Questar III’s CGEC are:

•           Marisa Campeta- Culinary Arts (Taconic Hills)                                             

•           Jasmin Cobbins- C.N.A. (Greenville)                        

•           Sara Cornwell- Culinary Arts  (Coxsackie-Athens)               

•           Kevin Kiefer- Construction Technologies (Greenville)                                  

•           Alyssa Lindig- Culinary Arts (Taconic Hills)                          

•           Mariah Lopez- Careers in Health Care (Germantown)                                 

•           Mariah Miller-  C.N.A. (Taconic Hills)                        

•           Meagan Pinkowski- Criminal Justice (Hudson)                                

•           Jamie Stevens- Criminal Justice (Hudson)                           

•           Daysi Gomez Torralba- Criminal Justice (Ichabod Crane)               

•           Devon Walters- Culinary Arts (Catskill)                                 

 

Barbara Decker Memorial Award

•           Aaron Gitto- Intro to Food Services (Chatham)

 

The Alice and Murray Giddings Foundation

•           Diego Martinez- Auto Technologies (Ichabod Crane)

 

Twelve students were also inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Three additional students were re-inducted for a second year of membership. Induction into National Technical Honor Society is the country’s highest award for excellence in CTE.

 

The inductees took the pledge of membership and participated in the lighting of candles which represented each of the attributes of a National Technical Honor Society member: skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

 

Principal Jake Stomieroski said, “The criteria for the National Technical Honor Society calls for a high consistent average not only in their CTE program, but they also must maintain a high average at their home school. These students work very hard and are deserving of this recognition.”

 

The National Technical Honor Society program has been active at the Columbia-Greene Educational Center for seven years. To qualify, students must maintain an average of 90 or above for three quarters in their career-tech program, an average of 85 or above for three quarters at their home school, have five or fewer absences for three quarters, receive a recommendation from a teacher, and perform 25 or more hours of community service.

 

The following students were inducted on June 4:

 

Two Year Members:

Sarah Cornwell- Culinary Arts (Coxsackie-Athens)

Kevin Kiefer- Construction Technologies (Greenville)

Nathaniel Schram- Aviation (Hudson)

 

First Year Inductees:

Michael August- Intro to Employment (Taconic Hills)

Ava Cameron- AIT (Cairo-Durham)

Gabrielle Cidras- Criminal Justice (Germantown)

Nicholas Decker- Aviation (Taconic Hills)

Catherine Donato- Careers in Health Care (Taconic Hills)

Michael Jennings- Construction Technologies (Greenville)

Robert Kohler- Construction Technologies (Coxsackie-Athens)

Zachary Leary- Criminal Justice (Ichabod Crane)

Tyler Rivera- Mechanical Technology (Chatham)

Joseph Schrowang- Construction Technologies (Catskill)

Sierra Shufelt- Cosmetology (Chatham)

Trevor Weeks- Mechanical Technology (Greenville)

 

Questar III congratulates all of this year’s graduates and award winners!

Preparing for an engineering career

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Jacob Pratt said he most enjoyed working with solar trainers during his year in the Questar III Green Technologies and Renewable Energy Program at Rensselaer City High School.

Jacob Pratt said he most enjoyed working with solar trainers during his year in the Questar III Green Technologies and Renewable Energy Program at Rensselaer City High School.

Engineering has always interested Rensselaer High School Senior Jacob Pratt. Growing up with an architect/engineer father, he’s been exposed to the technology for many years watching his father create designs for projects around the house and larger projects like the Rensselaer City School District campus.

So it’s not a big surprise that Pratt chose to enroll in Questar III BOCES’ Green Technology and Renewable Energy Program. This hands-on approach to learning includes topics like solar and photovoltaic energy, wind technology, energy saving solutions and efficiency, as well as renewable energy.

And while, Pratt says he certainly respects the environmental consciousness of these technologies, it’s not his first reason for enrolling in the program.

“My main motivating factor is definitely career related,” said Pratt, who plans to join the National Guard in hopes of landing a job in solar engineering. “Our guidance counselors drilled in our heads that these are the jobs of the future and this is the type of course to take to prepare us for them.”

Pratt said the hands-on approach to the program has given him a deeper understanding of the technology and allowed him to feel more confident and comfortable as he finishes up his senior year.

“With a lot of the projects, I thought I already knew what I was doing, but once we stated working on them it opened my eyes up to how much more there is,” said Pratt. “We had to wire and rewire the solar trainers a hundred times to complete a lesson. It makes you realize how critical each step is.”

Recently Pratt had the pleasure of meeting Rep. Paul Tonko and NYSED President and CEO Frank Murray, who visited the school to learn about the program. Pratt even helped the two guests construct their very own solar chargers. During the visit, Tonko drove a solar powered vehicle constructed by Questar III Green Technology and Renewable Energy Program students from Columbia -Greene Educational Center in Hudson. Pratt and his classmates at Rensselaer High School are currently working on a car of their own.

Today, as Pratt prepares for graduation, he has some advice for those considering the program. “Be ready to learn a lot! The program is fast paced. It you pay attention and ask lots of questions, the program is completely doable and fun!”

For more information on the Green Technology and Renewable Energy Program, please visit http://www.questar.org/education/career-tech-ed/greentech.php.

 

 

Students celebrate nurses

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Senior Cosmetology students from Questar III’s Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) participated in Nurse’s Feel Good Day during Nurse’s Appreciation Month at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

Cosmetology students participated in Nurse's Appreciation Month at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

Cosmetology students participated in Nurse’s Appreciation Month at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

The students provided the nurses with manicures, eyebrow waxing, hair braiding and thermal hairstyling.

In addition to recognizing the contributions and commitments nurses make on a daily basis, the students were able to experience the importance of giving back to their community members.

Cosmetology teacher Lisa Baron was happy to see her students work together and provide the services to the many deserving nurses who attended the event. The students managed their time and worked efficiently and thoroughly to provide the nurses with their special treatments.

Cosmetology students participated in Nurse's Appreciation Month at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

Cosmetology students participated in Nurse’s Appreciation Month at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany.

“I will never forget this experience, it was one of the best in my 25 years of teaching and my students will remember this lesson for the rest of their lives,” Baron said.

Rep. Tonko visits Questar III program

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On Monday, May 13, Rep. Paul Tonko visited Questar III’s Green Technologies & Renewable Energy program based at Rensselaer High School. Students demonstrated how this hands-on career and technical education (CTE) course helps them better understand energy management and sustainability as they prepare for careers in a growing field locally and across the nation.

This program, which expanded to Rensselaer last fall, prepares high school seniors for emerging careers that can literally make a world of difference. Students learn about solar and photovoltaic energy, wind technology, energy saving solutions and efficiency, as well as renewable energy. Students complete a DC Electricity course and are eligible to receive five college credits through Hudson Valley Community College. The program includes work-based learning, a senior project, and networking with local businesses.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to get hands-on experience and to compete robustly in the innovative technology sector,” said Representative Tonko. “We have no choice but to move forward with sound investments in our workforce, and that starts here in the education system. We will win this race on innovation and thanks to the faculty and leadership at Questar III BOCES and Rennselaer High School.”

During the visit, Representative Tonko drove a student-built solar powered car. He, along with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Frank Murray also built their own solar chargers with the guidance of the students.

Several months ago, the program was awarded $50,000 in funding from NYSERDA for the purchase of energy efficiency and renewable energy training equipment, including the equipment used to make the solar chargers. Money was used to purchase Energy Auditing Technology Trainer and Sustainable Conservation Trainer equipment that will provide real-world skills to CTE students at our Rensselaer, Troy and Hudson-based locations.

“At NYSERDA, we are very focused on workforce development and on the green economy. We must make sure we create jobs for the future and that we have a capable workforce,” said Murray. “To do this, we must penetrate the lover levels of education with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and we are very pleased to give you even a small amount of money to achieve that.”

This funding augments Questar III’s existing partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and NYSERDA as a participant in the Home Energy Analyst Technician (HEAT) program, which provides construction and HVAC students and teachers with curriculum and hands-on training in building science and energy auditing.

“We appreciate the support of Congressman Paul Tonko and NYSERDA President and CEO Frank Murray as we seek to provide more students with hands-on learning opportunities,” said Dr. James N. Baldwin, Questar III District Superintendent. “Our students continue to demonstrate that applied learning is a critical part of the pathways to future success in college and careers.”

For more information on the program, please visit the program’s website at http://www.questar.org/education/career-tech-ed/greentech.php.

 

Board adopts new strategic plan

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The Questar III Board of Education unanimously approved a new three-year strategic plan called Shared Success on May 9, 2013 – the culmination of more than a year of planning. More than 100 staff and school district colleagues provided feedback as Questar III developed this plan.

The agency’s planning process was designed to help Questar III respond to the numerous challenges and opportunities facing our region’s schools and BOCES, from the classroom to the board room. Now, the focus shifts to implementing the plan.

Questar III is now seeking volunteers to join implementation teams that will bring the plan’s ideas and initiatives to life. These three teams will be charged with developing operational work plans to advance an initiative. The agency intends to engage a diverse team of individuals from school districts and the BOCES to outline a plan and timeline for moving forward.

“Nothing is more important to our future success than ensuring that Questar III BOCES remains fully accessible, adaptable and responsive,” said Questar III District Superintendent James N. Baldwin. “By devoting our region’s collective talents and abilities to this plan’s implementation, we will do more than simply survive and comply; we will achieve shared success.”

Click here to download the plan.

Student places at state competition

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Questar III’s career and technical education (CTE) students competed at the 2013 SkillsUSA State competition held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

CGEC student, Andrew Grabowski, placed third in the SkillsUSA State Competition in the HVAC competition.

CGEC student, Andrew Grabowski, placed third in the SkillsUSA State Competition in the HVAC competition.

The SkillsUSA competition, which is judged by industry professionals, tests technical and professional skills through hands-on and written contests including construction, information technology and welding.

Students from Columbia-Greene Educational Center (CGEC) and Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) competed against more than 2,300 students from 84 trade and technical schools. Over 1,000 industry partners attended the 47th annual event and served as contest chairs and judges.

CGEC’s HVAC student Andrew Grabowski, from Hudson High School, placed third in the HVAC competition.

“Our students, along with students from REC, truly exemplified the spirit of SkillsUSA at the State Conference in Syracuse. They were given the opportunity to showcase their amazing talents and they did not disappoint,” said CGEC SkillsUSA advisor, Craig Church. “They represented their respective programs and Questar III in a manner that made us proud.”

SkillsUSA is a national organization for high school students enrolled in CTE programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development.

Students partner with community

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Construction Technologies and HVAC students at Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center (CGEC) have been helping their community by partnering with Columbia County Habitat for Humanity.

Construction Technologies students and Habitat for Humanity representatives in front of the new home in Hudson.

Construction Technologies students and Habitat for Humanity representatives in front of the new home in Hudson.

For the third year in a row, CGEC students have worked on Habitat for Humanity houses in Hudson.

This year the students helped work on the first Habitat homes in New York State designed to achieve the Passive House standard, the world’s most advanced building science benchmark for energy efficiency. The heating energy in the Columbia Passive Townhouses at 244-246 Columbia Street is expected to be 90 percent less than in conventional construction.

While on the job, the Construction Technologies students worked on framing interior walls, wood flooring and back porches.

This was the second year in a row Coxsackie-Athens CSD student Michael Bliss worked with Habitat Humanity in his Construction Technologies program.

“Working with Habitat for Humanity is important because it gets people to help their community,” Bliss said. “It also gives me experience and helps me know what I will do on an actual jobsite.”

John Schermerhorn, a senior from Ichabod Crane High School, worked on the Habitat house on the weekends during his own free time.

“It was quite a bit of work, but it is fun. I got to meet a lot of people,” Schermerhorn said.

Questar III HVAC students installed the heating, A/C and all of the duct work in the home.

Nick Huber, a second year HVAC student from Catskill High School was thankful for the lessons he learned while working on the homes.

“It was a good learning experience. We got to take what we learned in class and do it on these houses,” said Huber.

The teachers are also appreciative of the learning opportunities their students receive while working with Habitat for Humanity.

“Habitat for Humanity is great for letting us give our students hands-on, invaluable experience that isn’t attainable in the classroom setting,” said HVAC teacher Mike Veeder.

Brenda Adams, Executive Director for Columbia County Habitat for Humanity, discussed how the volunteers enjoy working with the Questar III students because it brings a new energy to the build.

“It is a great pleasure to work with the teachers and see them as mentors and witnessing the quality instruction the students are receiving at Questar III,” she said. “The students can return years to come to see their work and it cements a community connection.”

Students attend international event

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Cosmetology students from Questar III’s Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) took a field trip to the International Beauty Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

REC students attend International Beauty Show

REC students attend International Beauty Show

The event exposed students to hairstylists, artists and design teams from around the world. They attended haircutting, haircoloring and skin care classes and learned new techniques performed in the salon and spa industry.

REC Cosmetology teachers Lisa Baron and Lisa Bonafede were thrilled their students could be a part of the event.

“The students returned from the show excited and inspired! The main objective is to educate and that’s exactly what happened,” said Bonafede. “It gave all of us the opportunity to gain insight from the most renowned artists in the beauty industry. We are fortunate to be able to give our future professionals this wonderful experience.”