LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan BOCES held its commencement ceremony on June 21 at the Clubhouse at Villa Roma. Family, teachers and school administrators honored the graduates for their educational achievements.

Dr. Robert Dufour, district superintendent at Sullivan BOCES, welcomed guests. He handed each graduate a small card that said, “You Can Do the Hard Stuff,” and added, “You are stronger than you think, and you can obtain anything you want in life because you can do the hard stuff. Because you’ve already done it, I know you are here tonight, graduating. Congratulations!” (For the story behind the card, see “You can do the hard stuff,” below.)

Lt. Cheryl Crumley of the Sullivan County Sherriff’s Department was the keynote speaker for the graduation. Lt. Crumley congratulated the students and praised them for their success, and spoke of how the obstacles that they have overcome have made them stronger. 

“Although the journey has been different for each of you, you have shown your strength and determination, and you showed up. The most important part of life is showing up,” she said. “You have overcome your obstacles and persevered. As you reflect on your high school journey, be proud of how far you have come. Now is the time for you to dream and set new goals. Where ever your future takes you, let it lead you to new and amazing opportunities.”

The ceremony’s student speaker was Zachary Thiel, a graduate from the Liberty Central School District. Zachary spoke about the past three years he has spent at BOCES and how he learned a great deal and made many friends. He congratulated his classmates and thanked them for always being there for him. He ended with words of advice for the graduates. “As you go off to college or work, never let anyone walk over you, and keep moving forward,” said Thiel. 

Anthony Sinacore, Sullivan BOCES Board Member, spoke to the class on behalf of the Sullivan BOCES Board of Education. He congratulated the graduates for their accomplishments and spoke of the changes and challenges the students have had over the past couple of years.

Sinacore expressed his admiration for the students for their ability to adapt and overcome any challenge that was put forth to get them to this milestone in their academic path as they move to the next step in their life. Keep learning, he said.

You can do the hard stuff

Dr. Robert Dufour, district superintendent, opened the ceremony with a story.

He described a little boy who was just starting kindergarten. The father was fearful for his son because the boy was going to a strange place without knowing anyone at the school. 

To do something to help his child, the father wrote ‘You Can Do the Hard Stuff’ on a card and stuffed it in his son’s pocket. 

He told his son that this was the boy’s superpower, and that if he was ever afraid or wasn’t sure if he could do something, to take the card out of his pocket and read it. 

The boy carried the card in his pocket until he graduated from high school; then he returned the card to his father at his graduation.

He had done the hard stuff.

The award-winners

Students received the following awards and scholarships. They are listed with their home school districts.

The American Citizenship Award Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD

Oscar Barerra-Campos, Fallsburg CSD 

Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD  

The Antonia Keesler Citizenship Award

Rahmel Harris, Monticello CSD

The BOCES Board Award

Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD

The Career & Technical Education Award

Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD

Adam Turk Jr., Tri-Valley CSD

The Gene Smith School to Work Award

Armando Miguel, Liberty CSD

The Liberty Elks Award

Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD

Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD

The Liberty Rotary Club Award

Oscar Barerra-Campos, Fallsburg CSD

Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD

The Outstanding Graduate Award

Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD

The Perseverance Award

Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD

Joseph Jadan Chocho, Liberty CSD

Evin Cross, Fallsburg CSD

Brian Detzauer, Tri-Valley CSD

Grace “Tori” Gonzalez, Sullivan West CSD

Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD

Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD

John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD

Gabirul  VanAken, Monticello CSD

Erik Vasquez, Monticello CSD

Gemael Wallace Jr., Livingston Manor CSD

Stefano Zinas, Sullivan West CSD

The President’s Academic Achievement Award

Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD

Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD

Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD

John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD

Gabe Van Aken, Monticello CSD

The Thelma Newman Memorial Award

Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD

The Theresa Panny Memorial Award

Joseph Jadan Chocho, Liberty CSD

Adam Turk Jr., Tri-Valley CSD

Congratulations, graduates!

 The following students have graduated from the Ruben Pollack Education Center. They are listed with their home school districts.

Oscar Barrera-Campos, Fallsburg CSD

Evin Cross, Fallsburg CSD                                                                    

Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD                                             

Joseph Jadan-Chocho, Liberty CSD

Armando Miguel, Liberty CSD                                   

Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD                                                              

Gemael Wallace, Jr., Livingston Manor CSD

Rahmel Harris, Monticello CSD           

Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD     

Gaibrul VanAken, Monticello CSD

Erik Vasquez, Monticello CSD                                                

Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD

Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD

Grace Gonzalez, Sullivan West CSD                                                             

Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD                                                              

Stefano Zinas, Sullivan West CSD                                                   

Brian Detzauer, Tri-Valley CSD                                                                                                                                                                            

John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD

Adam Turk, Tri-Valley CSD