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HFM
students, education commissioner are keynote speakers at ribbon
cutting ceremony for new campus
Without BOCES, students say they might not graduate
 More
than 200 guests attended the official ribbon cutting ceremony
for the new HFM BOCES campus on Nov 1.
Among those in the audience were current and former students and
staff, representatives of area school districts and parents of
students who may some day choose to attend one of the many
educational programs housed at the new 150,000-square-foot
campus that is home to the Alternative High School and Career
and Technical Center.
 Three
current students were selected to be the guest speakers for the
late afternoon program.
All three spoke of opportunities gained and new paths found as a
result of their choosing to attend HFM BOCES programs.
 All
three praised their teachers for believing in them and inspiring
them.
And all three expressed their appreciation for the improved
educational facilities provided at the new campus.
They shared the podium with State Education Commissioner Richard
P. Mills, who shared with attendees his appreciation for the
hard work and dedication that led to the creation of the new HFM
campus.
 "What
were all your sacrifices for," Commissioner Mills asked of those
assembled. "The $25 million for the new campus. The years you
spent looking for alternatives. The 8-1 vote. The support of
your community."
All of these sacrifices -- made by area residents, component
school districts and the staff of HFM BOCES itself -- are an
essential part of the region's commitment to economic growth, he
said.
"Economic growth depends on knowledge, skills and the pure grit
to put them to work," he added, while reaffirming his commitment
as the state's education leader to closing the achievement gap
among all students.
"We must raise achievement continually in the face of formidable
trading partners who are trying to do the same thing,"
Commissioner Mills said.
There are no such things as "low-skill" jobs any more, he said.
"Even those that we used to think were 'low skill' now require a
great deal of technical competency."
Ribbons and refreshments
 At the conclusion of the formal presentation, guests and staff
joined together for the official ribbon cutting ceremony in the new cafeteria that doubles as an
auditorium.
While there, they sampled a variety of delicacies prepared by HFM BOCES
culinary students under the direction of instructors Cindy Fratianni and Cubby Faville, and cook manager Brenda Allen.
Guests mingled and chatted, while news cameras flashed and a
reporter from Capital News 9 captured the sights and sounds of
this historic day on film.
To see the video footage that aired later that evening on
Capital News 9,
click here.
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