LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — “Skills, knowledge and work ethic for the 21st century.”

On Wednesday, June 25, Sullivan BOCES held a recognition ceremony for the Career & Technical Education Center’s Class of 2025 at SUNY Sullivan’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse.

The annual rite of passage for the Career & Technical Education (CTE) began with a traditional processional as the students’ gowns reflected the colors of their respective school districts— Eldred (white), Ellenville (royal blue), Fallsburg (black), Liberty (red/white), Livingston Manor (maroon/gray), Monticello (royal blue), Roscoe (royal blue/white), Sullivan West (black), Tri-Valley (blue with red) and BOCES (blue).

After Monticello’s Hunter Ethridge led the assembly in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Jeffrey Molusky—Sullivan BOCES CTE executive principal—presented welcoming remarks to the gathering. This was followed in short order by a student address by Sullivan West’s Melina Picard, a graduating senior who just completed her allied health studies at the local BOCES.

In describing the CTE allied health program, she said in part, it “is able to prepare students who want to go to college for a health-related profession… This program introduces students to the challenges that they will encounter in the health care field.

“One particular challenge is learning all the anatomy and physiology, because to do anything in health care, you have to know the classification of the human body, of which there is a lot! It also exposes students to real world experiences.”

Picard continued by explaining that as part of the curriculum, the allied health care students participated in clinical rotations at a local hospital, spent time in the operating room observing surgery, and spent time in the ER department, ICU, the lab, diagnostic imaging “and so many other departments with the hospital” in addition to visiting nursing homes.

“After high school, some students may not be attending college, so a CTE program can help them either further their education by attending a trade school, or going directly into the workforce,” she said. “BOCES builds confidence, skills and leadership qualities.”

And to her fellow graduates, “No matter what you studied at Career and Tech, you will always need to put your best effort forward in your chosen career, as you enter the next chapter of your lives. Congratulations to the Class of 2025,and good luck in all your future endeavors.”

On behalf of the Sullivan BOCES board of education, vice-president Keith Stryker presented awards to outstanding CTE students, and employability profiles and certificates of completion were presented by district superintendent Dr. Robert M. Dufour and Molusky.

CTE seniors were recognized in several disciplines: animal science, auto body, auto technology, basic welding, broadcasting and music production, construction, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical, health occupations, innovative design, natural resources and public safety services.

Numerous students received special recognition as recipients of president’s academic excellence awards from the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

In addition, Eldred Central School was awarded an attendance certificate for the district with the highest attendance record for the 2024-2025 school year, and Sierra Norris from Liberty Central School—a Sullivan BOCES early childhood education student—was honored with the excellent student attendance award.