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A Message from the DirectorIt is with great pride I congratulate the Center for CareerServices graduates. My hope is that everyone who has workedhard to complete a rigorous CTE program will feel confidentthat they can and will succeed at whatever career paththey choose.From all of the teachers, staff and administrators at the Centerfor Career Services, we wish you good luck and best wishes in

your future education and career experiences.

Dr. Linda Maria SuarezDirector, Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services

230 Students ProudlyMarch at Career ServicesGraduationThe evening of June 12 was overcast,but clouds could not thwart the ebul-lient spirit beaming from the 230 stu-dents who were graduating from theCenter for Career Services. With par-ents and family in attendance, theproud grads were dressed to impressat the Recognition Ceremony, beingheld at Westchester Community Collegefor the first time.

The new venue was among severalchanges in format that marked thisyear’s culminating ceremony, which put

student achievement front and center. “We wanteda student-led ceremony,” said Director, Dr. LindaSuarez, “because it is all about the students.”

The new location of the Recognition event coordi-nation was due to the tireless efforts of Ms. AmyMichaud Wells, administrator at the Center forCareer Services. “We wanted to hold our Recogni-tion event at WCC to highlight the ongoingcollaboration that CCS has been developing withneighbor WCC,” she said. “Holding the venueat WCC also provides easy parking and acomfortable facility for the program.”

The ceremony was held in the Physical EducationBuilding and began with the traditional proces-sional and salute to the flag that was led bystudent Geraldo Capistran (Construction/Plumbing, New Rochelle). It was followed by aspell-binding rendition of the National Anthem byAlexis Ader (Cosmetology, New Rochelle) andAdrienne Wilson (Cosmetology, Harrison).

In the Greeting, Kaitlyn Klippert, who was laternamed Program Outstanding Student (Graphicand Interior Design, New Rochelle), encouragedher peers to do their best. “You have learnedmuch,” she said. “Now make a difference in theworld and be proud of your work.”

A Student Reflection was provided by ElizabethReichelt, who was named Program OutstandingStudent (TV & Video Production, Tuckahoe). “Howfortunate we have been to be at BOCES andgiven the opportunity to find and know our career

Thirty-three welcomed into NTHSCongratulations to the 33 students in the Career and Technical Education Programwho were recently inducted into the 2014 National Technical Honor Society.

On Wednesday, May 14, more than 100 friends and family members attended theceremony, during which 28 juniors and five seniors were accepted into the society. TheNational Technical Honor Society is currently in its fifth year, and, this year, welcomed

the largest induction class ever.

"The students did a wonderful job," said Anna Macchia, the school counselor and National TechnicalHonor Society advisor. "We are all very proud of their accomplishments, and wish them the bestnext year, too."

To be inducted, students have to hold a grade of 88 percent or higher after the third academicquarter. They also have to have been absent less than six times throughout the year, and have a cleandisciplinary record.

Fifty-five students were elected based on those specifications. The students, then, had to fill out anapplication and provide recommendations while also detailing the community service work that theyhave recently performed. After-ward, a committee looked atthe applications and selectedthe final inductees.

The National Technical HonorSociety induction ceremony tookplace at the Center for CareerServices, located in Valhalla.

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230 Students Proudly March at Career Services Graduation

path,” she said. “CCS has been a welcomingenvironment, where we could be ourselves andmeet people from all over the county. Whereverwe go, we will always be connected by BOCES.”

Dr. Suarez, Dr. Clement Ceccarelli and Mr. JamesMatera then proceeded with the awards portion ofthe ceremony. Appreciation Awards were given toReginald Clayton, SWBOCES Transportation

Dept., who received a standing ovation from thestudents and staff, and Reginald Bush, Director ofWestchester Community Outreach Program whohas provided the Center for Career Services withon-going community support.

The Video Presentation followed, introduced byJohn Finateri (Emergency Protective Services, WhitePlains) who explained that the video was like ayearbook that captured the feelings of the students.He announced, “Hear what your peers have tosay. . . We acknowledge the competitive edgewe have gained at BOCES.”

Finally, there were short, yet poignant remarks byDistrict Superintendent Harold Coles and DeputyDistrict Superintendent & Chief Operating OfficerSandra Simpson, followed by thepresentation of certificates.

Dr. Suarez closed the pro-gram with a quote from“Invictus,” by British poetWilliam Ernest Henley: “I amthe master of my fate; I amthe captain of my soul.”

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230 Students Proudly March at Career Services GraduationOUTSTANDING STUDENT IN CTE AWARD

Sophia Pacheco, Pelham H.S.

DONALD B. BARBIERI MEMORIAL AWARDElizabeth Reichelt, Tuckahoe H.S.

THE DEPAUL STALLKAMP MEMORIAL AWARDFOR OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENT

IN BASIC OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATIONJasmine Ruiz, Port Chester H.S.

THE JOHN HARLEY MEMORIAL AWARDLeilani Zamarripa, New Rochelle H.S.

THE JOHN REMLING MEMORIAL AWARDAndrew Eccleston, Valhalla H.S.

THE RAY ODDO MEMORIAL AWARDDevin Tassy, Port Chester H.S.

THE DR. COLLEEN MURRAYMEMORIAL AWARD

Kunle Sanders, Woodlands H.S.

SMALL ENGINE REPAIR IIProgram Outstanding Student

Oleh Hushtyk, John Jay H.S.AUTO TECH I

Program Outstanding StudentAndrew Eccleston, Valhalla H.S.

AUTO TECH IIProgram Outstanding Student

Christopher Marro, Port Chester H.S.COLLISION TECHNOLOGYProgram Outstanding Student

Devin Tassy, Port Chester H.S.BAKERY

Program Outstanding StudentMaria Cochancella, Port Chester H.S.

COMMERCIAL ARTDree Atkins Memorial Award

Elizabeth Grey, Port Chester H.S.Program Outstanding Student

Alyssa Baron, Peekskill H.S.OFFICE SKILLS

The Elaine Barsich Memorial AwardJulia Natt, Clearview

The Margaret Antonecchia Memorial AwardCindy Munguia, New Rochelle H.S.

Program Outstanding StudentRaul Amaris, Woodlands H.S.

OFFICE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

Program Outstanding StudentCarlos Bonilla, Sleepy Hollow H.S.

CONSTRUCTION/PLUMBING TRADESProgram Outstanding Student

Brian Faulkner, Pleasantville H.S.COSMETOLOGY

Ruth Bullwinkel Memorial AwardJoseline Huerta, Westlake H.S.

Program Outstanding StudentAndrea Valencia, New Rochelle H.S.

CULINARY ARTS IIStock Award for Culinary ExcellenceAllysa Reillo, Port Chester H.S.

Program Outstanding StudentCatherine Lopez, New Rochelle H.S.

ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTIONOllie Clark Memorial Award

Phillip Burkhard, Eastchester H.S.Program Outstanding Student

Brent Feola, New Rochelle H.S.EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Program Outstanding StudentSophia Pacheco, Pelham H.S.

EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE SERVICESLooseleaf Law Publications

Leilani Zamarripa, New Rochelle H.S.Program Outstanding Student

Leilani Zamarripa, New Rochelle H.S.GRAPHIC & INTERIOR DESIGN

Program Outstanding StudentKaitlyn Klippert, New Rochelle H.S.

T.V. & VIDEO PRODUCTIONSProgram Outstanding Student

Elizabeth Reichelt, Tuckahoe H.S.

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Our Students Pass the Test(s)!NOCTI, NATEF, NCCER. Sometimes the acronyms can get confusing. But at theSWBOCES Center for Career Services, they all become simple to understandbecause here, the acronyms – no matter what they stand for – spell outstudent success.

NOCTI, for instance, stands for National Occupational Competency Testing Institute.These assessments are taken by our students to measure their knowledge of basicprocesses, including the identification and use of terminology and tools.

“Every tech program has to answer to industry standards,” explained Principal Clem Ceccarelli.“We are industry sound, and academically sound, with the curriculum for each program writtento include the integrated academics, which includes English 12 plus math or science.” As anexample, he says that the English 12 curriculum satisfies New York State requirements by teachingbusiness English, such as letter writing, and technical writing based on research.Essentially, this means that upon graduation from our two-year programs, our students are bothcareer and college ready. Our two-year career and technical education program curricula areapproved by New York State Education Department and allow students to earn academic andCTE credits concurrently. In addition, programs offer advanced placement college credit, collegearticulation agreements, and industry certifications.The curricula is additionally reviewed and revised (if needed) by the home district of the student.In some cases, such as the automotive and construction clusters, the site must also be certified,based on NYS specifications.Among the NOCTI comprehensive tests that are generally given in May are:Administrative Assisting, Commercial Foods, Criminal Justice, Interior Decorating & Design,Collision Repair, TV Production, Visual Communications and Multimedia Design, and Cosmetology.The NATEF exams cover the automotive cluster and occur throughout the year when studentscomplete instructional modules. NATEF stands for the National Automotive Technicians EducationFoundation (NATEF) whose mission is to improve the quality of automotive technician trainingprograms nationwide at secondary and post-secondary, public and proprietary schools. NATEFexamines the structure, resources and quality of training programs and evaluates them againststandards established by the industry. These standards reflect the skills that students must master tobe successful in the industry.NATEF exams test a student’s knowledge in automotive systems, including Steering Suspension,Engine Performance, Brakes and Electrical.NCCER, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, also has modular exams,in addition to the comprehensive exam in May. These cover our construction cluster, with examsin Plumbing Core and Electrical.Additionally, some Commercial Arts students will be piloting Adobe Certified Associate Photoshopexam, and the Fashion students will be piloting the new NOCTI exam for Fashion Technologyand Merchandising.We must add, of course, that our instructors are certified as teachers and additionallycredentialed in their fields!

Check Us Out on the Web!http://www.swboces.org/services.cfm

SWBOCES Center for Career Services65 Grasslands RoadValhalla, NY 10595

914-761-3400

Dr. Linda Maria Suarez, Director

Dr. Clement Ceccarelli, Supervisor, AdvancedCareer and Technical Education

James Matera, Principal of the Introductionto Career Trades/GED Program

Debra Keiser, Newsletter Editor

Southern Westchester BOCES17 Berkley Drive

Rye Brook, NY 10573914-937-3820

www.swboces.org

Board of EducationJoseph Wooley, President

James E. Miller, Vice President

John DeSantis

Catherine Draper

Lynn Frazer McBride

Richard Glickstein

Harold Coles, Psy.D., District Superintendent

Sandra A. Simpson, Chief Operating Officer/Deputy District Superintendent

Assistant SuperintendentsJacqueline O'Donnell, Regional Services

David Pulley, Educational Services

Stephen Tibbetts, Business and AdministrativeServices

The Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative EducationalServices, its officers and employees, shall not discriminateagainst any student, employee or applicant on the basis ofrace, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status,gender, age, handicapping condition or sexual orientation.This policy of nondiscrimination includes access by studentsto educational programs, counseling services for students,course offerings and student activities, recruitment, appoint-ment and promotion of employees, and employment pay andbenefits, and it is required by Title IX of the Education Amend-ments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of1973, as amended and then promulgated thereunder, notto discriminate in such a manner.

SWBOCES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Section 504 CoordinatorThomas DiBuono, Director of Facilities and Operations

“The Mission of Southern Westchester BOCES is tocollaborate with school districts and communities tomeet their educational challenges by providingregional leadership and cost-effective, high-qualityservices.”