A total of 276 high school seniors were honored at the annual Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery (HFM) BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) commencement ceremony held on Thursday, June 18. The event took place in the gymnasium at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College and welcomed an audience of family, friends, faculty, and administrators.
The ceremony celebrated students from 11 area high schools who successfully completed one- and two-year programs in a range of fields, including auto body repair, auto technology, construction technology, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, cybersecurity and computer technology, digital multimedia, robotics and engineering technology, environmental conservation, foundations of food services, medical assisting, new visions education, new visions health careers, skilled trades, and veterinary and animal science.
HFM CTE Principal Michael DiMezza delivered the keynote address, noting that the ceremony marked a significant milestone in each graduate’s academic journey.
“In our modern world, where innovation and specialization reign supreme, the skills you’ve honed during your time in this program are more valuable than ever,” DiMezza said. “Whether you’ve studied automotive technology, culinary arts, medical assisting, cybersecurity, or any of our other programs, you’ve equipped yourselves with the tools to thrive in diverse industries and contribute meaningfully to society.”
He continued, “As you move forward from this moment, remember that graduation is not the end of your journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. Embrace each opportunity that comes your way with enthusiasm and determination. Stay curious, keep learning, and continue to push the boundaries of what you can achieve.”
HFM CTE Administrative Coordinator Kristina Marshall also addressed the graduates.
“I hope you continue to expand upon all you’ve learned as you walk out of these doors and into the next phase of your life,” she said. “I’m confident that you’ve gained experiences, opportunities, and skills that will lead to success. No matter what path you choose, I hope you take the lessons you’ve learned at CTE and continue to master your craft.”
In addition to receiving certificates of completion, several special awards were presented to students including:
- HFM BOCES Outstanding Professional Student Award
- Lindsey Marrotta – Fonda-Fultonville, New Visions Education
- Victoria Santos – Broadalbin-Perth, New Visions Health
- HFM BOCES Teachers’ Association Award
- Isabella Armstrong – Northville, New Visions Education
- Tyler Lozier – Canajoharie, Construction Technology
- HFM BOCES Superintendents’ Association Award
- Emilio Eustaquio – Amsterdam, New Visions Health
- Lillian Hughes – Broadalbin-Perth, Veterinary & Animal Science
- Adam Kline Memorial Scholarship
- Dakota Cooper – Fort Plain, Construction Technology
- ACTEA Thomas Olivo Leadership Award
- Taryn Rose – Amsterdam, Medical Assisting
- Ben Conte “Pay it Forward” Memorial Scholarship
- Noah Ehle – Canajoharie, Environmental Conservation
- Peter R. Marsh Foundation Silent Servant Scholarship Award
- Collin Eakin – OESJ, Skilled Trades
- Destenie Lizius – Amsterdam, Medical Assisting
A number of students were also recognized for their achievements in the classroom:
Auto Body Repair:
Highest Average – Kiersten Bly, Northville
Most Professional – Jesiah Waters, Johnstown
Auto Technology:
Highest Average – Warren Odendahl, Amsterdam
Most Professional – Robert Franklin, Johnstown
Construction Technology:
Highest Average – Tyler Lozier, Canajoharie
Most Professional – Dane Skretkowicz, Broadalbin-Perth
Cosmetology:
Highest Average – Mercedes Windecker, Johnstown
Most Professional – Avalyn Sharpe, Fonda-Fultonville
Criminal Justice:
Highest Average – Victoria Montgomery, Broadalbin-Perth
Most Professional – Bella Thum, Fonda-Fultonville
Culinary Arts:
Highest Average – Alyssa Lovelace, Amsterdam
Most Professional – Nolyn Pierce, Johnstown
Cybersecurity & Computer Technology:
Highest Average – Addison Cain, Broadalbin-Perth
Most Professional – Chase Tyler, Fort Plain
Digital Multimedia:
Highest Average – Abrianna Hayes, Mayfield
Most Professional – Collin Biche, Mayfield
Performance Award (Digital Award Overall) – Kian Ely, Mayfield
Performance Award (Creative) – Matt Sawyer, Broadalbin-Perth
Performance Award (Dependability) – Damien Massie, Fort Plain
Performance Award (Effort) – Madison Garner, Amsterdam
Performance Award (Leadership) – Kylee Mead, Amsterdam
Environmental Conservation:
Highest Average (Heavy Equipment) – Korrine Bly, Northville
Highest Average (Forestry) – Jonathan VandeWalker, Johnstown
Most Professional (Heavy Equipment) – Noah Ehle, Canajoharie
Best Professional (Forestry) – Reese Steinhaus, Mayfield
Foundations of Food:
Highest Average – Andrew Mayer, Broadalbin-Perth
Most Professional – Allyson Newkirk, Johnstown
Culinary Creativity Award – Melinda Gordon, Johnstown
Most Improved – Julia Murray, Amsterdam
Medical Assisting:
Highest Average – Emma Armstrong, Northville
Most Professional – Taryn Rose, Amsterdam
Fulton County Health Award – Emma Armstrong, Northville
Fulton County Health Award – Emilia Murphy, Broadalbin-Perth
New Visions Education:
Highest Average – Lindsey Marotta, Fonda-Fultonville
Most Professional – Maria Carpenter, Fonda-Fultonville
Most Improved – Cole Coupas, Fonda-Fultonville
Exceptional Academics – Ben Sturgess IV – Broadalbin-Perth, Summer Perry – Broadalbin-Perth, Addison Schotts – Broadalbin-Perth, Lindsey Marotta – Fonda-Fultonville, Isaac Van Wie – Amsterdam, Maria Carpenter – Fonda-Fultonville, Isabella Armstrong – Northville, Victoria Rice – Fonda-Fultonville
New Visions Health:
Highest Average – Diya Patel, Johnstown
Highest Average – Keaghan Henze, Northville
Most Professional – Ava Dwyer, Wells
Most Professional – Scout Huckans, Fonda-Fultonville
Fulton County Health Award – Diya Patel, Johnstown
Fulton County Health Award – Steven Scarpa, Broadalbin-Perth
Robotics and Engineering Technology:
Highest Average – Connor Kohn, Gloversville
Most Professional – Ethan Painter, Fonda-Fultonville
Skilled Trades:
Highest Average – Vincent Pacillo, Amsterdam
Most Professional – Kolton Edwards, Mayfield
Veterinary and Animal Science:
Highest Average – Lillian Hughes, Broadalbin-Perth
Most Professional – Keira Crahan, Fonda-Fultonville
