Early College Career Academy Recognizes 2017 Completers

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Saratoga Springs, June 13, 2017 – The Early College Career Academy: Early College High School Program (ECCA), a partnership program between SUNY Adirondack and the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton Essex BOCES, held its Completion Ceremony at the SUNY-Adirondack Queensbury campus on Monday, June 12.  Twenty-five students from 11 school districts were recognized in the company of family members, WSWHE BOCES and SUNY-Adirondack staff and faculty, BOCES Board of Education members, special guest speakers and honored award presenters.

This was the third class to complete this unique program that provides students with focused studies in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing, IT Computer Networking or New Media.  Students in the programs are exposed to the latest technologies used in these industries, earn industry recognized certifications, and participate in work-based learning activities that include job shadowing, being mentored by an industry expert and real-world industry challenge projects.  In addition to acquiring job skills and industry knowledge, students also earn college credits toward an Associate Degree in Applied Science, while still in high school. 

Two students in the ECCA Class of 2017 will be joining the US Army, the remainder of the class will continue their studies in engineering, science or new media at SUNY-Adirondack, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Salve Regina University, and SUNY Buffalo.

 

In addition to the opening address by Saratoga Springs Superintendent Michael Piccirillo, guest speaker Peggy Murphy, Director of Human Resources at Espey Manufacturing & Electronics addressed the students.  Ms. Murphy spoke about how working with the students through industry challenge events brings fresh eyes and different perspectives to projects that Espey is working on. This portion of the program culminated in the awarding of Espey Scholarships to two students – Jonathan Luse from Saratoga Springs High School and Zachary Scheid from Queensbury High School – whose industry challenge solution was adopted and manufactured for the US Army. 

 

Two student speakers chosen by their classmates – Brittney Anderson and Trent DeLor, both from Schuylerville High School - spoke about the experiences, life-long knowledge and friendships they gained from the program.

 

In addition to being honored for completing the program, the following awards were presented:

  • Madelin Pepin and Brittney Anderson received the Citizenship Award, which recognizes positive attitude, good character and participation in community activities and service.
  • Benjamin Jenks and Johathan Luse received the Leadership Award for their leadership achievements and conscientious attention to their studies.
  • Jack Bolan and Brittney Anderson were presented with Student Choice Award, which is peer selected, recognizing class spirit and camaraderie, outstanding teamwork and dedication to achieving their personal best.

Two Maureen VanBuren Memorial Scholarships were also awarded.  Conor Gagliardi from Waterford-Halfmoon High School and Ryan Gilman from Whitehall High School each received a $1,000 scholarship for the “passion they have demonstrated to their field of study and their plan to further their education through college or technical school.”  The scholarship is named after the late Maureen VanBuren, who was the Special Projects administrator for ECCA.  

 

To see the names of all of the students that were recognized and photos from the event, or more information on the ECCA program, visit www.careerandteched.org/page/early-college-career-academy

 

CTE is a division of the WSWHE BOCES. It provides an array of classes for secondary school students as well as adults. CTE classes include Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice Studies, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Graphic and Visual Communications, Health Occupations, HVAC-R, Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Operation, Horse Care, Horticulture, Landscaping and Floral Design, Machine Tool Technology, Power Sport Technology, and Welding. CTE also offers Service Level Hospitality, Service Level Human Services, and Service Level Technical and Trade Services programs, as well as New Visions Engineering and New Visions Health Careers Exploration. SUNY Adirondack Early College Career Academy programs in Electrical Technology/Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology/Computer Networking, and New Media are also available at CTE. For more information: visit CareerAndTechEd.org.