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NYS legislators met recently with local education leaders, school board officers, and parent representatives at BOCES' annual Legislative Priorities meeting. The guests enjoyed a buffet brunch prepared and served by students in Wilson Tech's Culinary Arts program including Rachel Williams (c.) of South Huntington and Bruce Arneaud (r.) of Commack. Pictured with the students is Kim Ricco (l.), a paraprofessional in Tech's Culinary Arts program.
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For the second year in a row, Melanie Wolff of West Babylon was a member of Wilson Tech’s Advertising/Graphic Design team that won first place in the Huntington Chamber of Commerce’s 12th annual Business Leadership Competition. Melanie teamed up this year with Luis Alvarado-Rodriguez, also of West Babylon, and bested 350 entries from both Nassau and Suffolk counties for their imaginative logos, professional branding concepts, and composure.
The two seniors had to design a brand identity for “Vammia,” a fictitious new upscale women’s clothing company geared to ages 18-30. Then, at the competition, they had to present their design scheme, including logo, and clothing tags/labels for this new fashion brand. Business people from Long Island then asked them to explain why they had selected their colors and designs.
Both students are making plans to attend college to pursue a career in graphic design. Since the competition began in 2003, Wilson Tech students have place either first or second in this prestigious local contest.
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Oheka Castle provided a setting for thousands of different images for students in Wilson Tech’s Professional Photography program. While on this assignment, students were required to shoot architectural and landscape elements while being attentive to shifts in lighting.
Students’ work is compiled into portfolios and displayed in the programs annual Photo Show at Wilson Tech’s Dix Hills campus. For more information about the 40 career and technical education program's for juniors and seniors in high school, contact the high school guidance counselor or call (631) 425-9050.
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SkillsUSA members who participated in the Tanner Park clean-up from Wilson Tech’s Republic Airport campus are (standing, l. to r.) Jahad Hoyte, Half Hollow Hills HS West; Marissa Maggio, N. Babylon; Jacqueline Gordon, SkillsUSA Advisor Republic Campus; Joshua Araujo, Deer Park; Renique Smith, Amityville; and Jessenia Algarin, Amityville and (kneeling l. ro r.)Amanda Aurora, Deer Park; Angelo Cuozzo, W. Babylon; and Michelle Romero, Deer Park.
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Tanner Park in Copiague received its annual fall cleaning when students (l. to r.) from Wilson Tech’s Republic Airport campus arrived on Oct. 22. Both morning and afternoon students in the SkillsUSA service organization removed garbage and planted fall flowers at the park’s entrance.
Students liked the idea of doing something for the community and enjoyed being one with nature on a crisp fall day. They will return in the spring for another clean-up.
Wilson Tech offers 40 programs for high school juniors and seniors to pursue a career and technical education. SkillsUSA is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in their programs at Wilson Tech.
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| Get ready to succeed! Wilson Tech classes for high school juniors and seniors begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at all campuses. If students have any questions about their class assignments, call Tech's Admission Office at 631-425-9050 or the home high school guidance counselor. |
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The Wilson Tech crew that earned Best Music in the national Ten Day Film Challenge for their film “Eureka” included (l. to r.) Rachel Antonison of Harborfields, director, writer, actor and editor; Umari Barnaman of Amityville, composer and actor; Justin Yankwitt of Commack, announcer and camera assist; and James Lewis of Copiague, actor and prop assistant.
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Umari Barnaman of Amityville composed the music that helped his team’s film “Eureka” earn Best Video in the national Ten Day Film Challenge.
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Proud and nervous were just two of the many emotions that students from across the U.S. had as they awaited the announcement of the grand prize winners at the national awards ceremony for the Ten Day Film Challenge at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia on June 7. Wilson Tech students were wildly ecstatic when “Eureka” was announced as the first place winner for Best Music.
“All of the 15 films in this final round of competition were nothing short of spectacular!” said Steven Stankowski, Tech’s instructor for Digital Film/Video Production. “We were thrilled to be able to attend the awards ceremony when these films were screened.”
Just weeks before, the Ten Day Film Challenge had brought out the cooperative spirit and talent of Tech students in Digital Film/Video Production as they randomly picked a genre out of a hat and then wrote, shot and edited a 3-5 minute short film in just 10 classroom sessions. No work could be done outside the class.
Five of the six groups finished their films on time and qualified to compete in the semi-final round. Out of the 350 films (from 15 states by 3500 students in 106 schools) that reached the semi-finals, four of the Tech films placed in the top three. “Eureka” had earned first place in the semi-finals in the Music Video category as well as third place Best Overall film in show, top three in Best Performance category and top three in Best Use of Sound category and, therefore, earned a high enough score to advance to the national competition.
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Wilson Tech’s 12th annual Photo Show was the most highly attended ever! More than 175 family and friends strolled through the Wilsonian Room which was re-configured as an art gallery complete with strategically placed chairs for optimal viewing and an elegant coffee and dessert table. Guests carrying their own cameras strolled around asking questions of the talented Tech artists who were dressed in their finest. Take a look at the creative work and the artists in Tech’s Professional Photography class.
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The Long Island Association of Career and Technical Educators Association selected two students from Wilson Tech for scholarships due to their excellent performance in their Tech programs. Awards went to Anthony Pumarejo of HHH East in Construction Electricity and Sherina Parra of South Huntington in Culinary Arts. Sherina is also shown at right with Nancy Komber, (l.) her Tech instructor and her mother at right.
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Justin Masters of Northport studies Criminal Justice and received the Joseph G. McGuire Memorial Scholarship given annually in the name of a former Tech instructor.
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Trevor Atkinson of HHH West studies Retailing and received the Jennifer Meehan Memorial Scholarship given annually in the name of a former Tech student.
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Volodymyr Dzhavala (l.) of Lindenhurst and Marlon Rivera (r.) of Wyandanch, both students in the Aircraft Maintenance Program, celebrate with their families and their instructor Diana Santiago, (center in photo at left) after receiving the Gordon Smith Memorial Award given by a BOCES staff member.
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At a special ceremony, Wilson Tech awarded four scholarships for outstanding leadership among those who participated in SkillsUSA this year. Winners (l. to r) were Heber Zavala of Lindenhurst in Aviation Science/Flight.; Nandi Morancie of South Huntington in Cosmetology; Gabriella Auxila of Lindenhurst in Medical Assisting; and Melanie Alvear (not shown) of South Huntington in Early Childhood Education. See all the winners!
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Audrey Squicciarini (r.), a graduating senior in Wilson Tech's Veterinary Assisting program won the FFA Outstanding Leadership Scholarship award. Katherine Keymel, her instructor, congratulates the Smithtown East senior.
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Thanks to the hard work of BOCES staff and students, Wilson Tech’s chapter of the Association of Long Island Vocational Educators recently awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Each year the teachers, paraprofessionals and counselors come up with more avenues to raise this money and the students always pitch in to help raise additional money. We applaud their efforts on behalf of Wilson Tech students! See more photos of the recipients for 2014-15:
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NAME
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PROGRAM
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DISTRICT
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Zhana Barrett
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FashionMerch/Design
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Amityville
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Kristin Calderone
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Adv/Graphic Design
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S. Huntington
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Kaylynn Clague
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Audio Production
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Copiague
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Tiffany Gortakowski
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Adv/Graphic Design
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Smithtown West
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Mariana Guercio
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Cosmetology
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Kings Park
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Jerome Hamilton
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Adult/AMT
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Gabrielle Hazelton
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Culinary Arts
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Lindenhurst
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Jessie Jurman
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Fashion Merch/Design
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Commack
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Thomas LaRosa
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Construction Electricity
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HHH West
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Lizeth Martinez
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Culinary Arts
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S. Huntington
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Maureen Medina
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Cosmetology
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HHH West
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Ashani Miller
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Adult/Cosmetology
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Nandi Morancie
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Cosmetology
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S. Huntington
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Victoria Morgan
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Prof. Health Careers
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Wyandanch
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Stephanie Parlato
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Fashion Merch/Design
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Commack
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Anthony Pumarejo
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Construction Electricity
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HHH East
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Samantha Schoenfeld
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Culinary Arts
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Commack
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Hayley Thomas
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Culinary Arts
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Lindenhurst
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Ryan Tillman
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Auto Technology
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Commack
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Sydnie Wittenberg
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Adv/Graphic Design
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Harborfields
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Roxanne Woelfel
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Cosmetology
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HHH East
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Heber Zavala
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Aviation Science/Flight
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Lindenhurst
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On a sunny May morning, students in Wilson Tech’s Equine Studies program showed their riding talent during the annual FFA Horse Show held at Thomas School of Horsemanship in Melville. Tech students completed against students from Nassau’s Barry Tech and placed in the top three of each the seven events.
In the beginner class, students performed at walk and trot; in the intermediate class, students performed at walk, trot, as well as canter and jump; in the advanced class, students competed at walk, trot, canter and jump as well as demonstrated other advanced level skills. Take a look at the talented equine students!
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Student’s Name:
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District:
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Class:
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Ribbon:
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Deanna Rago
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West Babylon
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Beginner 1A
Beginner 1B
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2nd place
1st place
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Angelica Novak
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South Huntington
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Beginner 1A
Beginner 1B
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1st place
2nd place
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Anna Romanelli
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Harborfields
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Beginner 2A
Beginner 2B
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1st place
1st place
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Autumn Farmer
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Harborfields
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Beginner 2B
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2nd place
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Lauren Defelice
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Commack
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Intermediate Flat
Intermediate jump
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1st place
3rd place
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Megan Ortiz
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West Babylon
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Intermediate Flat
Intermediate jump
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3rd place
2nd place
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Paige Tatzel
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West Babylon
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Intermediate Flat
Intermediate jump
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2nd place
1st place
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Tori Dunn
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Three Village
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Advanced flat
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3rd place
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While anxious parents and friends waited, more than 100 cosmetology students brushed, curled, braided and sprayed their model’s hair into exotic styles. This annual hairstyling competition is sponsored by the Long Island Cosmetology Teachers’ Guild, a group of local teachers who meet monthly to share ideas, skills and educational materials related to the cosmetology field.
Wilson Tech cosmetology students, both high school students and adults, won 17 of the 36 medals that were awarded in six categories: Senior Styling, Junior Styling, Color, Mannequin Styling, Junior Fantasy, and Senior Fantasy. See the competitors at work! Diane Kuhn, a retired cosmetology teacher, has also posted her beautiful photos of the competition. Here are the names and home schools of the winning students.
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CATEGORY
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PLACE
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NAME/SCHOOL DISTRICT
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MODEL/SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Mannequin
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6th
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Rosalie Evans/Elwood
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5th
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Mayra Santos/Adult
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4th
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Nancy Cordero/S. Huntington
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3rd
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Kallie Conover/Brennan
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1st
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Yasmin Garcia/S. Huntington
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Color
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6th
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Carissa Graziosa/W. Babylon
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Erika Bernard/W. Babylon
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1st
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Ariana Ardizzone/N. Babylon
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Shaylyn Murphy/W. Babylon
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Senior Style
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4th
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AnnMarie Gerdon/Copiague
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Morgan Monroe/Brennan
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3rd
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Ashley Pratt/Adult
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Vanessa Rodriguez/Adult
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1st
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Nicole Donofrio/Smithtown East
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Ana Quinn/Northport
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Junior Style
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2nd
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Erica Zimmerman/Adult
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Jennifer Rigrod/Adult
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Junior Fantasy
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6th
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Ashley Ingordino/Lindenhurst
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Adriana Renick/Lindenhurst
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5th
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Emilie Padnick/Northport
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Julianna Mori/Commack
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3rd
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Alanah Kleeman/Smithtown East
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Emily Pue/Smithtown East
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Senior Fantasy
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6th
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Monica Coronna/Adult
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Mollie Wood/Adult
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5th
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Jon-Aisia Crosby/Elwood
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Jillian Pabon/Harborfields
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2nd
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Karina Alegre/ Deer Park
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Kimberly Villarreal/W. Babylon
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Wilson Tech took top team and individual honors at the recent NYS Veterinary Science FFA competition, continuing the Veterinary Assisting program’s longstanding record of top performance at skills competitions. Of the 28 high school teams that competed this year, Tech won both first and second place. Of the 112 individual competitors, Tech students won five of the top 10 places including the first place award.
The first place team consisted of Allison D’Andrea (Smithtown East), Anna Krage (Commack), Yeliz Ozdemir (Commack) and Katarzyna Swidzinska (Lindenhurst). The second place team included Emily Arrucci (Smithtown West), Micaela Osorio (Amityville), Tiffani Rushford (Smithtown West) and Audrey Squicciarini (Smithtown East).
Allison D’Andrea (Smithtown East) earned first place followed by Anna Krage (Commack), 5th place; Ashley Biasi (Lindenhurst), 7th place; Katarzyna Swidzinska (Lindenhurst), 8th place; and Audrey Squicciarini (Smithtown East), 10th place.
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Come experience the incredibly varied ways that Tech students in Professional Photography respond to the same technical assignments in Wilson Tech’s annual Photo Show. Student photographs will be on view from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 in the Wilsonian Room at Tech’s Dix Hills campus.
Invitation designed by Bianca Bryant, Professional Photography I
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| Brandon Boyle stands in front of the new entrance to the National Leadership and Skills Center in Leesburg, VA, with Audra Moore (l.), Wilson Tech's SkillsUSA advisor, and Isabella Mancini (r.), his Architectural Design/CAD instructor at Tech. |
The plan for the walkway leading into the headquarters for SkillsUSA was inspired by a plan that Brandon completed in Tech's Architectural Design/CAD program. The North Babylon senior's design was selected from 32 entries in a nationwide competition. |
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Nearly 3 out of 4 of the graduates of Wilson Tech’s class of 2014 are continuing their education after high school while 24% are employed (includes 4.2% who entered a branch of the U.S. military). Just 1.8% were unable to work. These recent Tech graduates have a 2.9% unemployment rate, significantly lower than the 17.1% unemployment rate for the same age group in Suffolk County..
“This reflects a long-standing history of Wilson Tech graduates who choose to expand their skills with additional training in either a college or other post-secondary program, including BOCES full-time programs for adults,” noted Nancy Kelsey, Executive Director for Career and Technical Education at Western Suffolk BOCES.
The survey was taken six to nine months after the students had graduated. The response rate was 91%. Learn more about where students from the class of 2014 study or work.
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Sean Russo, a graduating senior in Wilson Tech’s Architectural Design/CAD program just learned that he has won a $1,000 scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society. These national scholarships are awarded annually to NTHS members who consistently exemplify the seven character attributes of the NTHS – Skill, Honesty, Service, Responsibility, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership. The Kings Park student plans to continue his education at Pratt Institute in hopes of becoming an architect.
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Cortland Terris (Smithtown West) won first place in Carpentry. |
Michael O'Toole, instructor, congratulates Karen Flood (Harborfields) and Andrew Rose (Half Hollow Hills West) who won first place in Audio Production Team. |
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Dylan Dell’Erba (Babylon) and Rachel Antonison (Harborfields) won second place in Digital Cinema Production Team. |
Gabrielle Hazelton (Lindenhurst) won third place in Culinary Arts. |
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Quiz Bowl Team of John Cangro (Smithtown West), James Drago (Northport), Amanda Gordon (Lindenhurst), Gibriel Spiteri (N. Babylon) and Sydnie Wittenburg (Harborfields) won third place. |
Wilson Tech students competed at the NYS SkillsUSA contests in Syracuse. |
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After winning regional competitions, Wilson Tech students competed at the NYS SkillsUSA contests in Syracuse where they won three first place awards, one second place award and three third place awards. Find out who the winners were! The first place winners will next compete at the national SkillsUSA contests in Louisville, KY, in June.
SkillsUSA is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in career and technical programs at Wilson Tech. The competition required students to demonstrate the skills they had learned in their Tech programs. Registration is now underway for the 42 programs Tech offers for high school students. For more information about fall 2015 classes, contact the home school guidance counselor or call 631-425-9050.
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Joseph Pirretti of Northport and Michael Murphy of Kings Park, seniors in Wilson Tech’s automotive team from the Northport campus, took fourth place in the Ford AAA statewide competition in Morrisville where they had to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair a typical automotive problem.
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A Lindenhurst senior in Tech’s Digital Film/Video Production class has a resume to impress already! Amanda Gordon won 1st place in the Music Video category for her “Story of My Life” at the 10th annual Locust Valley High School Film Festival. She also won Outstanding Film Award (Best in Show) from the Nassau County Film Commissioner and VP of the Long Island International Film Expo. Her music video will automatically be entered in the LI International Film Expo in July. And, she’s just 17!
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Outstanding Designers of the Year
Stephanie Parlato (l.) and Andrew Zappola (r.)
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Most Valuable Persons
Ariana Costa (r.) and Zhana Barrett (r.)
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Aloha Awards
Erika Tejada (l.), Cassie Ferrari (c) and Ashely Baker (r.)
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Fashion Icons of 2015
Lauren D'Alessio (l.) and Tiffany Fleming (r.)
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Most Raffle Tickets Sold: Jessie Jurman
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Most Improved Student for 2015: Romello Alexander
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Tech’s ALIVE Show garnered enthusiastic applause as students in Cosmetology and Fashion/Merchandising Design walked the runway. Culinary students created an exotic looking cake which was raffled off. Photography, Digital Film/Video, and Audio Production students also played their roles during the evening. Many staff members contributed countless hours of their own time to make the night a successful fundraiser for scholarships. See photo gallery.
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Take a look at more photo galleries of the evening taken by Professional Photography students at Tech’s Dix Hills campus.
Gallery 1 by Dana Mansbart
Gallery 2 by Carly Sanginario
Gallery 3 by Rosalie Russio
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Dustin Herron of Northport won first place in the welding competition at the regional SkillsUSA contests.
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Nandi Morancie of South Huntington won second place in Senior Cosmetology.
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In the normally raucous indoor track at Suffolk Community College, career and technical education students from across Long Island worked diligently to complete a list of skills they had to demonstrate within an hour during the recent regional SkillsUSA competitions. When the final call came, Wilson Tech students took 41 medals including 11 individual first place medals, eight second place medals and two third place medals. In addition they earned first place team award for TV and Video Production, second place team award for Audio Production as well as third place team awards for Health Knowledge Bowl, Quiz Bowl and Opening Closing Team.
First place winners are now diligently preparing for the NYS competitions that will be held later in April in Syracuse. Students competed in 30 contests spanning the spectrum of technical as well as leadership competitions at both SCCC and at Wilson Tech’s nearby Dix Hills campus.
SkillsUSA is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in career and technical programs at Wilson Tech. Find out who won which medals here!
Take a look at the Culinary competition. Photos by Rebecca Walsh, Professional Photography at Wilson Tech's Dix Hills campus.
Take a look at the photo gallery of the competition and awards ceremony. |
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Click to view Brandon's plan at full size.
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The new entrance to the National Leadership and Skills Center in Leesburg, VA, the headquarters for SkillsUSA, was inspired by a walkway plan that Brandon Boyle, a senior in Wilson Tech’s Architectural Design/CAD program, designed. The North Babylon student’s entry was selected from 32 entries in a nationwide competition.
“His design was exceptional and we are so pleased to incorporate many of his elements to create the new, celebratory walkway for NLSC,” noted Kelly Persons, director of the NLSC’s Office of Business Partnerships and Development.
A committee, led by architects and a SkillsUSA alumnus from The Beck Group in Dallas, TX, volunteered to review all student design entries and provided their professional expertise to craft a final walkway plan, inspired by Brandon’s design that was both affordable and doable within the time constraints of the project.
SkillsUSA, a national student organization to improve the quality of America’s skilled workforce, will provide a $2,000 travel stipend for Brandon and a SkillsUSA advisor to attend the ribbon-cutting of the new walkway during the organization’s 50th birthday celebration in Leesburg on May 8.
Brandon will be publicly recognized at the event for his creativity which will leave a lasting legacy on the national SkillsUSA program. Brandon will attend the New York Institute of Technology in the fall to study architecture.
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Nick Giambrone, a senior from Lindenhurst in Tech's Culinary Arts program, is well on his way to a college education and a semester in Italy. He recently won a $36,000 scholarship, including the opportunity to study abroad, after taking third place in the seventh annual America's Best High School Chef competition sponsored by Monroe College in New Rochelle.
The competition included three rounds where he had to demonstrate mastery of a range of culinary techniques including demonstrating the proper use of a knife to julienne and tourne two potatoes, dice an onion and supreme an orange within 30 minutes and then creating an impressive salad with a red wine vinaigrette dressing. Based on his success in those two rounds, he advanced to the finals with five other chefs. They were each given a mystery basket of ingredients and asked to prepare a meal within one hour. Nick prepared a chicken breast over spinach in a white wine and cream tomato sauce.
Nick will soon decide if he will accept Monroe College’s scholarship package.
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Lauren Scott-Mohammed celebrates winning the annual $500 PTA scholarship with (l. to r.) her aunt Cynthia Fletcher, her brother Michael Scott-Mohammed, her mother Stephane Mohammed, and family friend Perry Pettus.
Inset: Kathy Vento, Suffolk Region PTA Director, recognizes Lauren for her accomplishments.
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Lauren Scott-Mohammed, a John Glenn High School senior in Wilson Tech’s Fashion Merchandising/Design program, was recently awarded a $500 scholarship from Suffolk Region PTA. Kathy Vento, Suffolk Region PTA Director, presented the award at the annual PTA Night dinner sponsored by Western Suffolk BOCES.
The skills that she has learned during her two years at Tech, Lauren says, have given her the confidence to double major in design and merchandising at SUNY Oneonta in the fall. In the future Lauren wants to have her own boutique where she can sell the clothes that she has designed.
“Learning to sew has allowed me to transform my unique ideas into real garments—turning a dream into reality. Tech has made my life’s wishes attainable,” wrote Lauren in her scholarship application.
Her English teacher cited her tremendous work ethic, curious mind, passion for learning and creative soul. “It’s her kindness and industrious nature that make her even worthier for this scholarship,” he continued. “It is because of Tech and her appreciation for it that she is one of the lucky few who will graduate high school with a clear goal of her future,” he concluded.
Take a look at all the evening’s festivities!
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Discover Tech this Tuesday! Incoming students who have plans to attend Wilson Tech in September are invited to bring parents to visit Tech classrooms and speak with Tech instructors at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. All campuses will be open for Discover Tech. Click on the links below for directions.
Any questions, call Tech's Admission Office at (631) 425-9050 or the home high school's guidance office.
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See what you can learn at Wilson Tech! Hear what Tech students say about their Tech programs! “Explore Tech” showcases high school juniors and seniors who have chosen to attend Wilson Tech for half of their school day. Registration is now underway for fall 2015. Interested students should ask their guidance counselor how to register for Tech.
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Thanks to Karen Flood, a senior from Harborfields in Tech’s Audio Production program and Dylan Dell’Erba, a senior from Babylon in Tech’s Digital Film & Video Production program. The two spent countless hours working on this project--Karen as the narrator and Dylan as the editor.
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Once again, two Tech students in the Advertising/Graphics Design program captured top honors in the annual Huntington Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leadership Competition. In above left photo, Melanie Wolff (l.) of W. Babylon and Sydnie Wittenberg (r.) of Harborfields won first place and in above right photo, Tiffany Gortakowski (l.) of Smithtown West and Connor Nachemin (r.) of Babylon won a merit award for their imaginative logos, professional branding concepts, and public speakingabilities. Linda Mitchell (c.) coordinates the competition on behalf of the Chamber.
Tech teams competed against more than 384 students from 21 high schools in Nassau and Suffolk to design a brand identity for “Caribbean Resort,” a fictitious vacation spot.
The creative students had to present their concepts and designs for business cards, logos, and signage for this “new” business and then answer questions about their concepts. Students were ranked on their creativity, design skills and presentation skills.
While the artists were explaining their design choices, Brendan Higgins (right photo, l.) of Huntington and Jessica Bauer (right photo, r.) of Deer Park, both from Tech’s Huntington campus, competed in the Job Interview category where they received Honorable Mention.
The students were honored at a reception at LaunchPad in Huntington.
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 photo by Dana Mansbart
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Photography students (l. to r.) Jackie Smith, Smithtown West HS; Priscilla Benedetto, John Glenn HS; and Darius Greene, Walter G. O'Connell HS, helped their classmate Dana Mansbart, Harborfields HS, complete her assignment for a stop action photo by jumping in the snow outside their classroom. Assignments take Tech students to many locations on campus and in their own neighborhoods.
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Guidance counselors from the 18 participating districts that send students to Wilson Tech recently toured the Dix Hills campus. Students in the Aviation Flight Science program, shown above, described their coursework and the flight simulator to one of the home school counselors. Culinary Arts students then prepared and served a brunch while Fashion Merchandising/Design students modeled their creations in the annual winter Fashion Show.
The West Babylon Chorus once again entertained visitors before the buffet began. See more of the students explaining their programs!
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After donating two vehicles to Wilson Tech’s auto body repair program, two State Farm employees visited with Tech students to see the repairs underway. Discussing the damage to the 2004 Mazda 6S are (l. to r.) Mandell Smith, State Farm agent; Brad Amendola of Deer Park; Brian Greenzang, Estimatics Team Manager; Joseph Aveline of Northport; Dylan Courtemarche of Commack; Miguel Aybar of Deer Park; and Stephen Rizzuto, Tech instructor.
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After State Farm Insurance donated a 2009 Pontiac G6 GT and a 2004 Mazda 6S to Wilson Tech’s auto body repair classes, the company recently sent two representatives to speak to students about automotive careers at State Farm.
Brian Greenzang, State Farm Estimatics Team Manager, spoke about the importance of having technical auto body repair skills for many jobs within the company and how the company pays employees for college or technical education. Mandell Smith, a State Farm agent with his own business, explained how State Farm has many career opportunities from appraisers to adjusters to sales agents. Students asked about entry-level positions with the company and were told there were various routes a young person could take within State Farm.
“I was eager for students to understand the electronics and the airbag systems on these newer model cars and I wanted them to learn to use the machine Tech has to straighten auto frames damaged in accidents,” said Stephen Rizzuto, the Tech instructor.
After the students realized that the frames were not severely damaged, however, they wanted to see if they could repair all the body damage.
Although Rizzuto did not have the money in his budget this year to make those repairs, he made a pact with the students. They were to evaluate the damage, compile a list of needed parts, and then write letters to General Motors and to Mazda asking them to donate the necessary parts. The letters with the lists are in the mail!
According to Rizzuto, if the companies agree, students will begin making some of the repairs this school year. If not, he will incorporate some of the parts into his budget for next year so students can make the repairs next year.
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Student officers were elected at Wilson Tech campuses in Dix Hills, Northport, Huntington and Republic Airport. Take a look at the ceremony!
See more photos taken by Morgan Klis, a student in Professional Photography.
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Wilson Tech leaders in SkillsUSA, including Northport AM campus president Amanda Godsil (l.) of Commack and Republic AM president Kenyah Bell-Brathwaite (r.) of Amityville, were inducted in a recent candlelight ceremony. These officers will now have the opportunity to travel upstate for leadership training.
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Students in Wilson Tech's Aviation Science/Flight program watched as a private jet took off from Republic Airport. |
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Both high school and adult students had a chance to learn more about an aerospace career at the 5th biennial Aviation & Aerospace Career Fair held recently at Republic Airport.
Wilson Tech offers Aircraft Technology where high school students can build the technical foundation that can lead to FAA licenses in Powerplant and Airframe. BOCES also has an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program that offers financial aid to eligible adults to help prepare them for these FAA exams.
Wilson Tech also offers Aviation Science/Flight where students receive ground school and flight instruction in a single engine training aircraft. All flight time earned can be credited toward pilot certification.
For more information about high school programs at Wilson Tech, contact the home high school guidance counselor or call Tech's Admission Office at 631-425-9050. For information about the BOCES AMT program for adults or to take a tour, call 631-752-1957.
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High school students in Wilson Tech's Aircraft Technology program inspected jets, helicopters and fixed wing planes during the recent Career Fair. |
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Aviation Science/Flight students from Wilson Tech heard what it's like to be a helicopter pilot during the Career Fair at Republic Airport. |
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| Dr. Michael Mensch, Chief Operating Officer, welcomed Wilson Tech instructors and staff during Opening Day activities. |
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Anthony Pumarejo (l.), senior in construction electricity; Holly Michels, medical laboratory instructor; Isabella Mancini, CAD instructor; Karen Milian-Pumarejo, cosmetology instructor; and Bruce Spivak, culinary instructor, take a break during the installation of a seating area at Wilson Tech’s Dix Hills campus. The construction was part of Anthony's Eagle Scout project.
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Wait until you enter Wilson Tech’s Dix Hills campus! Students and staff have transformed the central loop into a beautiful park-like setting complete with a brick walkway with plantings and benches. A beautification project had been on the school’s wish list for some time, but it took the energy and commitment of a rising senior in Tech’s Construction Electricity program to bring the project together as his Eagle Scout project.
Anthony Pumarejo, a Half Hollow Hills East student and the son of cosmetology instructor Karen Milian-Pumarejo, spent months soliciting donations for everything from a sod cutter (Home Depot) to plants (Bisset Nursery) to food (Dunkin Donuts).
Students in Computer Aided Drafting and their instructor Isabella Mancini, designed the layout. Anthony acted as the “contractor” to ensure that all the volunteers followed the plan. Students in Welding designed and built a giant WT sculpture out of metal. Take a look at everyone at work on the project!
On the weekend when Anthony had everything organized for the installation, Home Depot employees volunteered along with his family, Tech instructors and his Boy Scout troop.
Concerned about the summer heat, Anthony has already returned to water the plants! When he dropped off his balance sheet recently for Principal Ann Joseph to verify, he told her he is committed to maintain the area throughout his senior year at Tech. Thanks everyone for the hard work! Juniors and seniors can still register for fall 2015 classes by calling the home high school guidance counselor or call Wilson Tech at 425-9050.
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Sal Marinello, Board member of Western Suffolk BOCES and an avid pilot, answers a question from a student in Wilson Tech's Aviation Flight Science program about the landing gear. Wilson Tech also offers Aircraft Maintenance Technology for both high school and adults to prepare to earn FAA licenses in Airframe and Powerplant.
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Sal Marinello (l.) and Don Vogel (r.), president and owner of Nassau Flyers, landed a Mooney 201J on the tarmac outside Wilson Tech's Republic Airport campus. High school students in Tech's Aviation Flight Science program have the opportunity to prepare to earn their pilot licenses. Each year, there are students in the program who successfully complete the requirements to solo while they are in high school.
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Scholarships totaling $15,000 were awarded to 35 students, some of whom are pictured here.
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Outstanding students in Wilson Tech's Equine Studies program.
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Outstanding students in Veterinary Assisting program.
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After winning first place in the NYS SkillsUSA contest, members of the Tech team will represent NYS at the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City in late June.
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Wilson Tech students can earn college credits as well as advanced standing while they participate in their Tech programs. This year 21 students took Introduction to Psychology and earned three college credits that will be accepted at Dowling College or may be transferred to numerous other colleges and universities.
The tuition-free course was taught by an instructor from Dowling College at Tech’s Dix Hills campus on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Of the 21, 17 received a B or better!
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Members of the Wilson Tech team that won first place in the NYS SkillsUSA competition for their performance in the competition for Opening and Closing a meeting are cosmetology students (l. to r.) Alexis DiMartino (Smithtown E.), Stephanny Trujillo (So. Huntington), Amanda Godsil (Commack), John Dwyer (Harborfields), Stephanie DiMartino (Smithtown E), and Jenna DeFranco (Smithtown E.) with English teacher Kerryanne Augello (back). Not shown is Alissa Salomon (Commack).
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Although they did not know each other a few months ago, Wilson Tech's team won the Opening and Closing team competition in the statewide SkillsUSA championships in Syracuse. All seven of the students study cosmetology at Wilson Tech's Northport campus and will next represent New York in the national competition in Kansas City in June.
This competition is evaluated on the team's oral presentation and on the team's understanding of the symbolism of the colors and parts of the SkillsUSA emblem. The students had never spoken publicly so they regularly practiced running a meeting following Robert's Rules of Order. They enacted their roles as president, vice president, parliamentarian, reporter, treasurer, secretary and historian with guidance from English teacher Kerryanne Augello and art teacher Jeanne Millett.
“As they practiced, they just got better and better! I am so proud of the confidence and poise they displayed as they spoke in front of judges and a large audience,” commented Ms. Augello. “Their hard work really paid off!”
SkillsUSA, is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in career and technical programs at Wilson Tech. The competition required students to demonstrate the skills they had learned in their Tech programs. Registration is now underway for the 42 programs Tech offers for high school students. For more information about fall 2014 classes, contact the home school guidance counselor or call 631-425-9050.
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Mathew Kollmeier (c.) of Northport holds the trophy and the Japanese chef's knife that he won along with the $1,000 Sysco scholarship from Todd Romano (l.), regional sales manager for SYSCO Long Island, LLC, and Richard Freilich (r.), program director and instructor Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Center.
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At left is Todd Romano regional sales manager for SYSCO Long Island, LLC, at right, Richard Freilich, program director and instructor Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Center.
- See more at: http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/2943.asp#sthash.JHPebMPn.dpuf
At left is Todd Romano regional sales manager for SYSCO Long Island, LLC, at right, Richard Freilich, program director and instructor Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Center.
- See more at: http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/2943.asp#sthash.JHPebMPn.dpuf
With the confidence of a seasoned chef, Mathew Kollmeier of Northport, turned a mystery basket of ingredients into a $1,000 scholarship at the SYSCO Long Island High School Culinary Arts Competition. This senior in Wilson Tech’s Culinary Arts program competed against students from 13 high schools on Long Island at the Suffolk County Community College’s Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead.
Mathew had 90 minutes to prepare two identical plates using the ingredients he found in his basket—a bone-in chicken, sweet potatoes, green squash and sundried tomatoes. His winning dinner of sautéed breast of chicken with rosemary with a beurre blanc sauce, sautéed vegetables and mashed sweet potatoes gave him a second place finish and the scholarship.
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Tech students traveled upstate and scored among the top in the statewide FFA Veterinary Science competiion! |
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One of Wilson Tech’s three teams took third place in the statewide FFA Veterinary Science competition while five students placed in the top 10 of the individual contests.
The winning Tech team consisted of Michael Auriemma (Lindenhurst), Sara Harrington (Northport), Jessica Spitz (Commack) and Julia Young (Deer Park). During the competition, the students had to identify parasites, veterinary surgical tools, supplies, animal breeds and species; perform small and farm animal handing techniques; demonstrate clinical and laboratory skills; participate in an a client education communication skill; and create a 15-minute presentation on equine (horse) colic.
Competing against 128 other contestants, Tech individual medal winners were Kathleen Cavanaugh (West Babylon) for 1st place; Cali Koulias (Kings Park) for 6th place; Audrey Squicciarini (Smithtown East) for 7th place; Samantha Ryan (Deer Park) for 9th place; and Vittoria Clement (Copiague) for 10th place.
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Synnammon McKinnie, Veronica Riggio and Justine Schafer, all in Tech's Culinary Arts program, perfected their cake decorating techniques using fondant and created a special dessert that was raffled off at Wilson Tech's annual Fashion Show.
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Wilson Tech students helped raise thousands of dollars in scholarships at the annual Fashion Show where students in Fashion/Merchandising Design modeled clothing they had designed and constructed and those in Cosmetology modeled exotic hair fashions. The models were photographed walking the runway by Chris Keller, a senior in Professional Photography, while students in Digital Film and Video Production taped the event and interviewed their peers. SkillsUSA members helped organize the raffles. Take a look more photos from the festivities!
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Paolo Adragna (c.) celebrates his first solo flight on the first clear day of spring at Republic Airport! The Lindenhurst student, a second year student in Wilson Tech's Aviation Science/Flight program, flew a Piper PA 28-161 Warrior 3 as his flight instructor T.J. Ferrante (l.) from Nassau Flyers and his Tech classroom instructor Mehdi Delshad (r.) waited on the tarmac outside the Tech classroom. In Paolo's two years at Wilson Tech, he accumulated sufficient flight hours and successfully completed all other prerequisites to make this solo flight.
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Violet Williams, a senior in Criminal Justice, receives her second place medal in the Prepared Speech competition at the regional SkillsUSA competition from Dr. Michael Mensch, Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES. The North Babylon student's leadership skills have also been recognized by the Suffolk County Police Department which has invited her to return this spring to the SCPD Youth Academy as a Red Hat.
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It was a nerve-wracking hour for some Tech students as they worked diligently to complete a list of skills they had to demonstrate to judges during the Long Island regional SkillsUSA competitions held March 17 at Suffolk Community College and at Wilson Tech. Students in career and technical programs from across Long Island competed in 30 contests spanning the spectrum of technical as well as leadership competitions. Wilson Tech students took 19 medals including two first place team awards for TV and Video Production as well as Audio Production and second place team award for Quiz Bowl. In addition they earned six individual first place medals, six second place medals and four third place medals. First place winners are now diligently preparing for the NYS competitions that will be held April 23-25 in Syracuse. A list of the winners is posted here.
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Jessica Wojslaw (r.), a student from West Babylon in Tech's Professional Health Careers program, won a $500 PTA scholarship as Kathy Guarino (l.), her Tech instructor, and friend (c.) congratulate her during the annual PTA Night at Tech. Take a look at all the activities.
The evening's guest speaker was Dr. Virginia Beaton who recalled the training she received in Wilson Tech's Practical Nursing program as a high school student. She is now a board-certified, family nurse practitioner and adult psychiatric clinical nurse specialist with a doctorate in primary care,told PTA members from local districts that when she saw students leaving Deer Park High School wearing their uniforms and learned that they were going to finish high school with a license that would help them secure jobs and build careers, she immediately decided to register for Wilson Tech. She wanted to get a job!
At the time, Dr. Beaton said she had no idea that this foundation as a nurse would give her job satisfaction, independence, and a thirst for learning. Today, she has her RN, two master's degrees in family nursing practice from New York University and Long Island University as well as a PhD in primary care and advanced training in esthetic medical procedures. She has combined her passions and now has a small boutique medical practice, owner of Complexions Medi+Spa in Smithtown, where she prides herself on personal and private service performing cosmetic procedures.
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Joseph Zambrotta (l.) of North Babylon gets words of encouragement from his mentor Steve Hurd (r.), service and parts director at Acura of Huntington. Joe, a senior in Tech's automotive technology program, is participating in an AutoYES work-study program at the dealership. |
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Joseph Zambrotta and Grant Howard, who will be 2014 graduates of Wilson Tech’s automotive technology program, so impressed Steve Hurd (r.), service and parts director at Acura of Huntington during their internship last summer that the dealership offered them two days of paid work-study this school year.
Wilson Tech offers the AYES program to encourage automotive students to apply the skills they have learned in their Tech classroom in the workplace. According to Hurd, the Acura dealership was eager to sponsor Tech students in hopes of finding responsible and knowledgeable new technicians that they could then hire.
Wilson Tech is currently developing programs with other Long Island Acura dealerships for future internship and work-study opportunities for Tech students. For more information about Tech’s AYES program or other opportunities for workplace cooperation with Tech students, call Tech’s Job Placement Office at 631-667-6000 x114.
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Senior Sarah Chiriboga (l.) and instructor Isabella Mancini (r.), explained Wilson Tech's Architectural Design/CAD program to the BOCES Board at its January meeting. |
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As the Architectural Design/CAD program progressed from residential to commercial structures, Wilson Tech student Sarah Chiriboga learned both the technical skills and the confidence to win a paid internship with William F. Collins Architects in Setauket. For the senior's final year at Tech, she will be gaining more skills to pursue her dream in college to become an architect.
Sarah explained her work-study program to the BOCES Board at its January meeting following the presentation her Tech instructor, Isabella Mancini, made. Mancini narrated a slide presentation which showed samples of students' work from sketches to intricate computer 3D models of buildings that students had created in CAD and SketchUp.
Sarah’s internship is possible through Wilson Tech’s work-study program and partnerships with local industry professionals. All of Wilson Tech’s Career and Technical Education programs provide students with work-based learning experiences that connect directly to classroom and laboratory learning.Sophomores and juniors can enroll in any of Tech's 28 programs for high school students for fall 2014 by calling the guidance counselor in the home high school or Tech's Admission Office at 425-9050.
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Wilson Tech seniors (l. to r.) Jon Santana of Kings Park won first place in regional competition as the team's alternate; Matthew Uricchio and Kevin Donaldson of Smithtown West won $36,500 in scholarships for first place in regional GNYADA auto competition; Ralph Savarese won trophy for winning instructor.
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For the seventh time in the past nine years, two Wilson Tech students won first place and $36,500 in scholarships at the regional automotive competition sponsored by the Greater New York Auto Dealers Association. Kevin Donaldson and Matthew Uricchio, the winning team, are seniors who attend Tech’s automotive technology program in Northport for half the day and Smithtown West High School for the other half.
The students, as well as three other Tech teams, had 1½ hours to troubleshoot and then repair problems that could have been anything from inadequate tire pressure to an electrical malfunction on several new model automobiles. The winning team will continue practicing their troubleshooting skills with their Tech teachers at a local dealership in preparation for the New York State competition that will be held at the GNYADA Training Center in Whitestone on Feb. 11. To determine which car will be used at this contest, Ralph Savarese, the Tech teacher of the winning students, drew an envelope out of a hat. The students now have a month to prepare for de-bugging a 2014 Toyota Corolla and another opportunity to win more scholarships and equipment.
This year GNYADA had a side competition for the alternates that each team sends. Tech’s alternate from the school’s Northport campus, Jonathan Santana from Kings Park, won a $25 gift card to Foot Locker and a $2,500 scholarship.
Wilson Tech is the career and technical education division of Western Suffolk BOCES. High school students can register now for fall classes in 30 programs.
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Student officers for SkillsUSA in both AM and PM sessions were recently installed for the 2013-14 school year in a candlelight ceremony. Take a look at the ceremony!
Photos by Chris Keller (Deer Park), Professional Photography 2
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| Colton Schwartz (l.) and Mark Polcer (r.) |
Sydnie Wittenberg (l.) and James Charlton (r.) |
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Two teams from Tech’s Advertising/Graphic Design program won first place in the Huntington Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual Business Leadership Competition. Colton Schwartz (Harborfields), Mark Polcer (Harborfields), Sydnie Wittenberg (Harborfields) and James Charlton (Walt Whitman) beat 341 entries from both Nassau and Suffolk counties for their imaginative logos, professional branding concepts, and composure.
The students had to design a brand identity for “Saucy Burgers,” a fictitious new restaurant that features signature sauces and bold fresh flavors. Then, at the competition, they had to present their design scheme, including logo, napkins and menus, for this new eatery. Business people from Long Island then asked them to explain why they had selected their colors and designs.
To judge the large field of entries this year, the students were divided into two groups. Tech students were judged the best in both groups!
All four students are making plans to attend college to pursue a career in graphic design.
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Audio Production students:
James Skene (l.) Thomas Santiago (r.)
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Audio Production students: Clotel Best (l.), Stephen Michalski (c.), and Loreal Best (r. )
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Audio Production student: Kati Katsaros
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If you have anything to do with the audio industry, the place to be this month was the Audio Engineering Society’s annual convention in NYC’s Jacob Javits Center. And, Audio Production students were there taking part in the world’s largest gathering of audio professionals! Students met top names in professional audio engineering and learned about the latest audio innovations through workshops, tutorials, booth exhibits and product showcases. Most focused on tools to assist them to record music in class and at home.
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Special events included the GRAMMY SoundTables® event honoring the late Phil Ramone; the Platinum Producers Panel, the economics of record production, reality-TV sound, the Project Studio Expo, keynotes and presentations from Jimmy Jam, Bruce Swedien, and Young Guru (engineer and Jay-Z collaborator). Students also could attend a comprehensive schedule of workshops, panels and technical programs.
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One of the highlights of the Career Fair was the arrival of the AS355 Twinstar helicopter used by Hover-Views, a company that does aerial filming for the movie industry. |
| Both adult and high school AMT students and a dozen alumni attended the BOCES Aviation Maintenance Career Fair on Oct. 18. Most of the 14 exhibitors, including airlines, aviation service companies and military recruiters, were seeking FAA licensed technicians. Most made appointments for further contact with BOCES AMT students. AMT students had worked with the BOCES Job Placement Office to prepare well-written resumes and the work paid off! Dowling College scheduled seven interviews for students considering continuing their education and the 106th Rescue Wing of the NY Air National Guard scheduled six interviews. |
Adult AMT students (shown above with instructor Diana Santiago) and high school students in Tech’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program will now be able to practice making repairs on a 1968 Gulfstream business jet that once belonged to singing icon Frank Sinatra and subsequently to actor Harrison Ford. The jet was recently donated to Western Suffolk BOCES by JFI JETs owner and Long Island resident Arik Kislin who owned the aircraft for seven years and operated it all over the world.
"I love this airplane and truly hate to see her grounded, but after 44 years of service her time has come. I am pleased to know she will continue to be of service to Wilson Tech and the people of Long Island as an educational tool and a proud reminder of the aviation heritage of this region," Kislin commented.
The jet accommodated 12 passengers and had a range of over 3,000. Its two Rolls Royce engines powered the aircraft to a cruise altitude of 45,000 feet and a speed of 520 miles per hour. The aircraft was designed and engineered by Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage.
Diana Santiago, Tech’s AMT instructor, was enthusiastic because this donation will help students prepare for Federal Aviation Administration exams to earn FAA licenses in Airframe and Powerplant for greater job opportunities. For more information about preparing for FAA licenses to become a licensed aircraft technician at Western Suffolk BOCES at Tech's Republic Airport campus, call 631-752-1957. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
JFI Jets is a worldwide provider of Aircraft Management and Charter services with Fixed Base Operations and a PART 145 Certified Repair Center. The company's main facilities are in California and on LI.
Have you ever noticed the American Service Excellence (ASE) certifications hanging on the wall of your car mechanic’s shop? If not, take a look. These certifications indicate which technicians have passed rigorous exams and have at least two years of work experience.
While in high school, Jose Yanez (r.), a recent graduate of Walter G. O’Connell High School in Copiague and Wilson Tech’s automotive technology program, built what are known as “stackable credentials” at Tech. This sequence of credentials can be accumulated over time to build an individual’s qualifications.
In Jose’s case, he first earned his NYS Inspection license due to hands-on work experience under the mentorship of Roberto Moran (l.) at New Hope Autotech Center in Amityville. The combination of his technical training at Tech and his hands-on work experience in the auto shop qualified him to take student-level ASE certification exams in May, before he had even graduated from high school.
Jose is looking forward to attending Suffolk Community College where he will study Automotive Technology with the help of a generous scholarship from Long Island Forum for Technology. For more information about Tech programs for high school juniors or seniors, contact the home high school guidance counselor or Tech at 631-425-9050.
Wilson Tech honored two outstanding photography students for 2012-13.
Left photo: Kristin Gates (c.) of Smithtown West received a Cannon PowerShot A2600 camera which was donated to the SkillsUSA organization by CDW-G, a leading technology solutions provider of hardware, software, peripheral products, and professional services to governmental and school districts, and a 64 gig storage drive. Presenting the awards are Nancy Kelsey (l.), assistant director of BOCES Career and Technical Division, and Phyllis Montuori (r.), Tech's photography instructor. Kristin plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan in the fall 2013 to study photography.
Right photo: Ian Bresalier of Commack received a 64 gig storage drive presented by Phyllis Montuori, Tech's photography instructor. Ian plans to attend the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan in the fall 2013 to study photography.
Photo Show Draws Rave Reviews!
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Photography students from Wilson Tech's Professional Photography class hosted a Photo Show for friends and family. The photography ranged from family portraits to computer-generated art based on photographs students had taken. Take a look at Tech talent!
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Tech students in carpentry and construction electricity added new skills to their resumes as they installed solar panels on the overhang of the building that houses their classrooms. The Tech curriculum now includes units on wind and solar energy to enhance the employability of Tech graduates. Take a look at the installation process!
Photos taken by students in Tech’s photography class: Ariella Rupp, Kings Park HS class of 2013 and Chris Keller, Deer Park HS class of 2014.
Three students from Wilson Tech have been selected for the prestigious LIFT (Long Island Forum for Technology) scholarships. The awards, valued at up to $5,000 per year (for up to two years) for tuition to further their education and training on Long Island were presented to (l. to r.) Yander Reyes of Wyandanch in Aircraft Technology, Jose Yanez of Copiague in Automotive Technology and Luis Sanchez of Amityville in Aircraft Technology by Joseph Garone, the chairman of the LIFT Board.
LIFT hosted a luncheon to recognize the three recipients and their families for the students’ outstanding achievements in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field. Yander and Luis plans to use their scholarships to earn their second FAA licenses in the BOCES Aviation Maintenance Technology program for adults at Republic Airport. Jose plans to use his scholarship to continue his automotive studies at Suffolk County Community College.
The LIFT competition was open to high school students pursuing a career and technical education at any of the three BOCES on Long Island. For this initial year, the LIFT scholarships were aimed at graduating seniors who were planning on continuing their education in a manufacturing-related program local to Long Island. Tech students were among more than 30 applicants for the awards.
For more information about the LIFT scholarship competition, go to www.lift.org/scholarship.
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After earning the highest individual score out of 128 participants at the recent New York State FFA Convention, Veterinary Assisting student Tiffany Rudolph easily captured first place honors. Tiffany, a senior from Smithtown West High School, studies at Wilson Tech’s Manor Plains campus. She plans to attend Hofstra University where she will major in Biological Sciences and German; after earning her bachelor's she plans to apply to Veterinary School.
Tech had 13 students compete in both individual and team contests in the Veterinary Science competition in Albion, NY.
For the individual contests, every participant, for both companion and farm animals, had to identify veterinary equipment, breeds, & parasites; take a general knowledge veterinary science exam; demonstrate proficiency in restraint & handling techniques of large and small animals; solve 10 math problems related to veterinary science; and participate in mock client communication scenarios with four judges.
For the team activity, students had to reenact the office examination of an adult feline, again in front of a panel of judges. Each team of 4 members was scored on the team’s ability to demonstrate the roles of the veterinary healthcare team and the knowledge of what takes place during such an office visit.
Tech students are already getting ready for next year's competition and team activity which will require them to reenact the examination of equine colic.
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Thanks to a generous award of $500 from the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association, Wilson Tech’s Manor Plains chapter of FFA purchased the scrubs that the students in Veterinary Assisting program wore (shown above) at the recent New York State FFA Convention. LIVMA selected Wilson Tech’s FFA chapter for the award because of its history of success in recent years at both NYS and national skills competitions.
“The funds also enabled us to stop at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY, and the Seneca Zoo in Rochester on the trip to the convention in Albion, NY. Both visits added new dimensions to the students’ knowledge of animal care,” noted Kathy Kemyl, Tech’s Veterinary Assisting instructor and FFA advisor.
FAA is a national leadership organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Thanks to LIVMA for supporting our chapter!
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| The Chapter Display representing all Tech programs is featured above with photography students Casey Fernandez (l.) of Copiague and Kristin Gates (r.) of Smithtown West who presented the project before the judges. Phyllis Montuori, Tech's photography instructor, is second from right. |
John DiSalvo, a Commack student in Wilson Tech's automotive technology program, won first place in the Automotive Service contest. Stephen Rizzuto, one of Tech's automotive technology instructors, is on right. |
Wilson Tech students took first place in four categories at the annual NYS SkillsUSA competition in Syracuse in April. Tech's Chapter Display, meant to illustrate the breadth of Tech programs, garnered lots of attention and a blue ribbon thanks to the creative ideas and hard work of students in 10 different programs: Professional Photography, Carpentry, Fashion Merchandising/Design, Digital Film & Video Production, HVAC, Audio Production, Welding, Architectural Design, Computer Networking, and Construction Electricity. Take a look at the competition. The winners in Automotive Service and Chapter Display will now represent New York at the national contest in Kansas City in June.
SkillsUSA, is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in career and technical programs at Wilson Tech. The competition required students to demonstrate the skills they had learned in their Tech programs. Registration is now underway for the 39 programs Tech offers for high school students. For more information about fall 2013 classes, contact the home school guidance counselor or call 631-425-9050.
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SkillsUSA Contest
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Tech Program
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Home District
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FIRST PLACE
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Automotive Service
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John DiSalvo
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Auto Tech
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Commack
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Chapter Display
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Kristin Gates
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Photo 2
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Smithtown West
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Casey Fernandez
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Photo 2
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Copiague
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Food Prep Assistant
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Stephen Cuomo
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Food Service 2
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Brennan
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Job Demo
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Evani Lamba
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Cosmetology 1
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HHH – West
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Mariah Motley
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Cosmetology
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HHH – East
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SECOND PLACE
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Related Technical Math
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Nicole Vavoules
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Cosmetology
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Commack
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THIRD PLACE
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Audio/Radio Production
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Gina Ferrara
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Audio Production
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Smithtown West
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Christopher Moinian
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Audio Production
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Smithtown East
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Quiz Bowl Team
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Melissa Distante
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Fashion Merchandising
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HHH – East
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James Fileccia
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Computer Network
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South Huntington
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Dana Finazzo
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Culinary Arts
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Smithtown East
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Olivia Hancock
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Culinary Arts
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Kings Park
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Thomas Younghans
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Digital Film & Video Prod
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South Huntington
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This photograph, taken by Jolie Clifford, a 2008 graduate of Wilson Tech's photography program, was recently selected as the image that graces the current postcard that the School of Visual Arts sends students. Jolie completed Tech's photography program with the ALIVE Outstanding Student Award. Also during her senior year at Tech, one of her photographs took second place in the NY Camera Club's annual photo contest for the Huntington chapter. Ms. Clifford graduated from SVA and is pursuing a career as an art photographer. Her work can be viewed at www.iamjoliephotography.com.
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Students from 10 programs at Wilson Tech worked collaboratively to plan, design and build a Chapter Display that they will take to compete in the NYS SkillsUSA competition in Syracuse in late April. The Chapter Display symbolizes the value of working together to complete a project that exemplifies the many skills students learn in career and technical education at Wilson Tech. Take a look at more students building different aspects of the Tech display. At left, students in Digital Film & Video Production plan the video for the project. At right, is the project at the halfway point--a tv mounted on bricks waits for Fashion students to supply the covering for the plywood. Architecture/CAD students later supplied a CAD-designed picture for the scrapbook. Photography students planned items to go inside the toolbox.
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Ricardo Lopez, a senior in Culinary Arts from Amityville, won gold for the dinner he prepared.
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Erick Batista, a junior in Culinary Arts from Copiague, participated in the Challenge.
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Gabby Cudra, a 2012 graduate of Tech’s Culinary Arts program and a culinary student at Monroe College, also participated.
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The American Culinary Federation held its Minors Challenge at Tech’s Dix Hills campus attracting students from Monroe College and SUNY Delhi to compete with our high school students in baking and hot food categories. This competition was open to anyone in the culinary field so professional chefs were also there. While Tech students were the only high school students, in addition to the one gold, Tech students also earned three silver and three bronze medals!
As Leslie Stephen, a 2011 graduate, gathered his ingredients for making Jambalaya, students in the Food Service program at Manor Plains High School eagerly volunteered to help him. Leslie had returned to demonstrate a lesson in front of the class of his former instructor Pamela Caputo and to tell students about the culinary program he attends at Lincoln Technical Institute in Connecticut. With just an internship to go, Leslie is well on his way to a career he says he loves!
Veterinary Assisting students from Wilson Tech's Manor Plains campus went to the Suffolk County Farm—to work with llamas this year. To prepare, students studied the anatomy, behavior and history of these animals. Once on the farm, students herded and caught strays, loaded and then unload them from a trailer. The llamas were also led over ramps and jumps as well as around obstacles allowing the students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in animal handling techniques. Take a look at the fun!
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Meredeth Walter with her winning Lindt Mocha Coconut bar.
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Meredeth exploring Australia on her day off.
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A special birthday cake gave Meredith Walter, a 2009 graduate of Wilson Tech’s Culinary Arts program, an idea that she transformed into the winning recipe for Lindt chocolates who awarded her the grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship.
“I came up with this idea when we were celebrating my mom's birthday and a belated birthday for my uncle. My mom loves coconut cake and my uncle loves mocha frosting. So put them together and you get Mocha Coconut,” recalled Merideth on her blog, the MerriBaker.
Following her high school graduation, the E. Northport resident continued her culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America and is now interning as a pastry chef at Cake Indulgence, also known as Cakes for Corporates, just outside Melbourne, Australia.
The Lindt Mocha Coconut bar was selected as the winner of The Lindt EXCELLENCE Recipe Challenge, a student scholarship contest in conjunction with the CIA, challenging CIA students to develop a dark chocolate bar recipe. Celebrity chef, restaurateur and CIA alumnus Michael Symon participated as one of the contest judges.
The new bar has a suggested retail price of $3.85 and is now available exclusively at Lindt.com and select Lindt Chocolate Shops, while supplies last. In addition, Lindt is furthering its commitment to culinary education by donating $1 to The Culinary Institute of America for every Lindt Mocha Coconut bar purchased.
“I am extremely excited that Lindt has decided to produce and sell my chocolate bar. I am thankful for such a great support group, also known as my family. They have seen it from start to finish. Thank you Lindt for an amazing experience I got to participate in,” Merideth continued in her blog.
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Students at Wilson Tech's Manor Plains campus made use of the skills they learned in the building and grounds maintenance program to beautify the corridors of their school. |
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Kaddegra McKoy (l.) and Albert Rowe (r.) participated in National Food Day along with their classmates in the Food Service program at Wilson Tech's Manor Plains campus. The students made an all vegetarian, family-style meal using in-season vegetables in this nationwide celebration for healthy, affordable and sustainable food.
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Tyler Starr (l.) of Half Hollow West High and Peter Hernandez (r.) of Huntington monitor the electrical panels for the wind turbine they helped install.
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Above: Construction Electricity seniors (l. to r. above) Mike Russell of Smithtown High East, Tyrice Russell of Walter G. O'Connell High, Arthur Flowers of Wyandanch High, Richard Pollina of Commack High and Peter Hernandez of Huntington High worked with classmates in welding and carpentry at Wilson Tech's Dix Hills campus to install a Honeywell wind turbine on campus. The 1600 watts of electricity generated by the turbine will be used to power the mini houses that the construction students will build during the school year.
Right: Juniors Henry Hubbard (l.) of Northport and Erik Adams (r.) of Amityville used portable welding equipment from their welding class to fabricate mounts out of structural steel for the windmill stand. They made the mounts fully removable so the wind turbine can be easily re-located in the future.
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"Renewable energy is part of the curriculum in several programs for high school students at Tech," noted Ken Burr, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education for Wilson Tech.
Tech's carpentry teacher Robert Schmiedecke emphasized the importance of adding experience with renewable energy to the students' resumes. Later this school year, Tech students will install solar panels on the classroom's roof to help the students gain another skill to improve their employability. "We want our graduates to be well-prepared for the jobs of the future," he added.
Wilson Tech is the career and technical education division of Western Suffolk BOCES. Local school districts will host Tech orientation sessions for sophomores and juniors within the next three months as students begin planning for the 2013-14 school year. For more information about Tech's programs for high school students, call (631) 425-9050.
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Aviation Flight/Science students (l. to r.) Paul Adragna of Lindenhurst, Alessandra Restrepo of Smithtown E. and Michael Messina of W. Babylon inspect an F105 Fighter Jet that was made on Long Island and used in both WWII and Vietnam wars.
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Tech students (l. to r.) Christian Mohammed of Lindenhurst, Matt Sherman of Huntington, Kabir Brahmbhatt of W. Babylon, Chris McGuirk of N. Babylon and Calvin Francis of Huntington learn about the helicopter used by News 12 Long Island.
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Above: Students gather around the helicopter and pilot that flew the crew filming the "Rescue on the Hudson," the dramatic reinactment of the pilot of the US Airways Flight 1549 making an emergency landing in the Hudson River in January 2009.
Right: Sindell Thomas (l.) of Half Hollow Hills West and Paul Adranga (r.) of Lindenhurst take a turn at the controls!
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Under a sunny autumn sky, Wilson Tech students discussed career options with pilots, airport personnel and aviation experts on the tarmac at Republic Airport. Both high school and adult students in Aviation Maintenance Technology and high school students in Aviation Flight/Science participated in the 4th annual Aviation & Aerospace Career Fair.
Local aviation professionals conduct the fair to insure a strong future for the aviation industry on Long Island. For more information about aviation programs for high school students, call 631-425-9050. For information about the FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program for adult students, call 631-752-1957.
Eight students from Wilson Tech received scholarships from retired members of the Faculty Association of Western Suffolk BOCES (l. to r., back) Elena Suozzi, Shaquasia Gaskin, Michael Desiderio, Salvatore Guadagnino (retired special education teacher) Katrina Howe, Victoria Lehmuller, Brianna Taormina and (l. to r., front) Idania Alfaro and Dana Kercado with Barbara Dickerson (retired career & technical education teacher).
Brian Katz (l.), assistant manager of Jiffy Lube on Jericho Tpk. in Huntington, volunteers on his day off as part of his non-profit Absent Minded Inc. to guide Nick Saporito (r.) during a job shadow experience as part of the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) initiative. Nick is a Commack senior in Wilson Tech’s Auto Technology program. The goal is for qualified high school students to observe experienced technicians in a working shop as the students are evaluated for mentored summer employment.
“Mr. Katz represents the first of what Wilson Tech hopes will be many local businesses in the automotive aftermarket joining with the local auto dealerships who have long offered job shadow experiences to Tech students, the future automotive workforce of Long Island,” said Courtney Hughes, Tech’s work-study coordinator.
This spring Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore, Atlantic Toyota, Huntington Honda, Competition BMW, Acura of Huntington, and Newins Ford of Bay Shore have given auto technology students job shadowing opportunities while Bi County Auto Body, Top Gun Collision, and Hassel Auto Body have provided job shadowing opportunities for auto body students.
Paige Burke of Northport captured first place at the 2012 High School Student Culinary Arts Competition at SCCC and received a $1,500 scholarship to study baking and pastry there this fall. Read more!
Gustavo Ortega’s welding skills have not gone unnoticed! While the Copiague senior is on work-study at EB Industries in Farmingdale two days a week, he used his classroom time at Wilson Tech to hone his welding skills. And, his work paid off! He captured first place this month at the regional SkillsUSA competition!
He joins a long list of Tech welding students who for six of the past seven years have taken first and second place in that competition and then went on to represent Wilson Tech at the NYS contest.
Second place this year went to Ruel Wills, also from Copiague.
According to Tech’s Job Placement Office, EB Industries is training the next generation for its workforce. Specifically, the company wants to bring electron beam and laser technology as a career field into the spotlight nationally and locally.
The partnership with Wilson Tech's Welding program seeks top performing second-year welding students who can supplement their classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
“Wilson Tech's faculty and administration are very excited about this partnership as the company’s facility offers students access to state-of-the-art equipment not readily available on campus,” said Courtney Hughes of Tech’s Job Placement Office.
According to EB Industries, electron beam or laser welding training is not currently available through any educational institution in the Northeast. The work-study program is part of the company’s plans to address this lack of professional standardized training.
In addition to working directly with students, EB Industries has joined Wilson Tech's Career and Technical Education Advisory Board representing local industry.
For information about how sophomores and juniors in high school can register for fall 2012 classes at Wilson Tech, call (631) 667-6000 x300 or visit your high school guidance counselor.
Board members had a very special tour of the Audio Production classroom and recording studio at Wilson Tech as Dr. Michael Mensch (on drums) jammed with alumni of the Graphic & Media cluster during the February Board meeting. Instructor Michael O'Toole (standing, center) explained to the Board that juniors and seniors in high school can explore their interests in music as they record their own voices in a sound booth or learn to spin tunes on a DJ board. Students can also record their music using a variety of electronic instruments and Apple MacIntosh computers.
Jonathan Mackey (l.) described his internship as an assistant engineer at a local recording studio and Jared Besemer (r.) described how he records his own music in the studio he built in his home.
Tech's rigorous program has agreements with several colleges so students can earn up to 9 credits toward college while they are still in high school. For more information about registering for any of the 28 programs for high school students, call 631-667-6000 x300 or visit your guidance counselor in your home high school.
Two auto manufacturers have donated vehicles to help Wilson Technological Center train future auto technicians. With the assistance of the Greater New York Auto Dealers Association, BMW of N. America, LLC Eastern Region donated a 2008 535xi Sport Wagon and Chrysler Corp. donated a 2005 Chrysler 300. See the students inspecting the cars!
Wilson Tech offers automotive technology at both the Dix Hills and Northport campuses for juniors and seniors in high school. Adults can pursue Tech’s full-time automotive technician training program during the daytime at the Northport campus.
For more information, call 631-667-6000, x300 about the high school program or 631-667-6000, x320 about the adult program.
A.C. Preston, a NYS trooper, discusses career paths within the NYS Police force with Wilson Tech students in Police Science and Law at Tech's Republic Airport campus.
Outstanding students from all four campuses of Wilson Tech were recently honored at a dinner ceremony for the students and their families. Culinary Arts students prepared and served a buffet dinner for the guests. See who received recognition!
Lori Battell of West Islip, an adult student in Western Suffolk BOCES’ School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, was one of eight in the U.S. to be awarded a scholarship from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Lori will use her $500 award for her tuition in the program. She hopes to complete the BOCES program in June 2010and then work in a hospital.
Among the five specialty areas available in Tech's 24-month program, Tech students can pursue echocardiography (the sonography of structures of the heart), general, breast, obstetrics and vascular sonography. Each specialty area requires graduates to pass a different registry exam.
Lori selected the BOCES program at Wilson Tech’s Northport campus because of its affordable tuition and the emphasis on supervised clinical experience in hospitals and doctor's offices from Manhattan to Southampton. Students gain valuable hands-on experience in several three-month clinical rotations.
Interested adults should begin preparations now for the next class which begins July 2011. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. For more details about the program, admission requirements and tuition, go to www.wsboces.org/fulltime, or call 631-261-3721 ext. 219.
Get ready to take the SAT with confidence! Wilson Tech offers two-hour workshops on the Wednesday before the SAT test to review basic test-taking strategies. These workshops are offered FREE to all high school students. Workshops are held at Tech's Dix Hills campus from 4 to 6 p.m. Students must provide their own transportation. To learn exact dates, find a map to Wilson Tech, or to register, go to www.wilsontech.org/SATreview.
©2024 Western Suffolk BOCES
17 Westminster Ave., Dix Hills, NY 11746
(631) 667-6000
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