TST BOCES Career and Tech Center

We loved giving these students a taste of the CTE world!

This week, students from Groton CSD's Career Academy spent time at TST BOCES getting their hands dirty (sometimes literally!) while exploring some of our trades.

A huge thank you to our CTE instructors for welcoming students into their shops and sharing what they do every day:

🔧 Matt Lott - Auto Body
🚗 Doug Houck - Auto Tech
⚙️ Jeff Brockway - Machining & Manufacturing
🔥 Randy Jackson - Welding

And a special shoutout to Groton CSD alum and TST BOCES Welding Class of 2026 graduate Madison DeGraw for volunteering her time to show the next generation how to strike an arc and spark an interest in the trades. ⚡ Thanks to Groton Central School District for partnering with us to make opportunities like this possible!

📸 Through the lens of SkillsUSA national competitor James Williams III (and our amazing SkillsUSA Advisors)!

Take a look at highlights from an unforgettable week in Atlanta, where James Williams III (Advertising Design) and Jackson Scholl (Collision Repair Technology) represented TST BOCES and New York State at SkillsUSA Nationals.

When they weren't competing, the students were making the most of the experience: meeting IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, trading pins with students from across the country, exploring exhibits from industry leaders like CAT, Snap-on, Yamaha, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, making new friends, and visiting the Georgia Aquarium.

Most importantly, both students represented TST BOCES, New York State, and their programs with professionalism, skill, and pride.

We are over the moon proud of Jackson and James for their accomplishments and for embracing every opportunity the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference had to offer!

🎉 One last celebration before our completers take the stage tonight!

Our CTE Senior Celebration was filled with fun, laughter, and a little friendly chaos. Students enjoyed co****le, face painting, popcorn, and a chance to support fundraising efforts through our "Pie a Teacher" event.

A big thank you to the many brave staff members who volunteered to take a pie to the face, all in the name of fun and supporting our students! 🥧😄

Congratulations, seniors! We can't wait to celebrate you again at tonight's Completer Ceremony. 💙

🚚 Big rigs & big opportunities!

Last week, Rusty Stetzel from the Trucking Association of New York brought a Big Rig driving simulator to our campus, and every Heavy Equipment student had the chance to take the wheel.

Students navigated an 18-wheeler through a virtual driving course, using their mirrors to maneuver around obstacles and safely stay on the road. It was a lot harder than it looked, and gave students a firsthand look at the skills and concentration professional truck drivers use every day!

We’re so thankful to our business partners who make these experiences possible for our students!

🏥 From ACL tears to shoulder injuries, the future of sports medicine was on full display at the New Visions Exercise & Health Sciences Symposium!

As the first year of our New Visions Exercise & Health Sciences program at Ithaca College comes to a close, students showcased the knowledge and skills they've developed through this unique partnership. They researched common athletic injuries and presented on everything from rotator cuff tears and UCL injuries to sprained ankles and patellar tendon tears, educating attendees on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies.

Congratulations to our students on their outstanding research and presentations, and thank you to the Ithaca College faculty and staff whose support and expertise made this inaugural year such a success. We also appreciate everyone who attended and helped celebrate our students' achievements! 💪

🤝🎓 Professional connections, career preparation, and well-deserved recognition were all on display last week as our Animal Science students put their professional skills to the test!

Students participated in mock interviews with industry experts from veterinary hospitals, colleges, local farms, and boarding & grooming services.

Following the interviews, students and industry partners gathered for a Stakeholder Celebration where students were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year! 👏

Certificates for work completion and participation were awarded, and several students were honored as FFA State Award winners, proudly receiving medals for their achievements! 🏅✨