Career & Technical Education students from the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Hewes Educational Center were recognized during a recent ceremony in Jamestown. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Madelyn Troutner, an alumna of E2CCB.

Career & Technical Education students from the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (E2CCB) Hewes Educational Center in Ashville were honored during their recent senior recognition ceremony at the Jamestown High School auditorium.

Opened by the Star Spangled Banner by the Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers, Principal Paul Mihalko welcomed friends and family of the Hewes students. He also thanked the school officials, board members and teachers who have supported the Class of 2019 in their endeavors.

The guest speaker for the evening, Madelyn Troutner, an alumna of E2CCB’s Graphics Technology program, has come full circle as an instructor for the program. After earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and her certification in commercial art for grades 7-12, Troutner returned to the campus she credits as helping define who she is.

“My mentors helped to guide me and influence my growth as a professional,” Troutner said. “I was able to experience working firsthand at an internship through a program that provided me with so many additional real-world experiences.”

The students were presented with Certificates of Completion as faculty shared their plans for the future. As the students received their certificates, they were congratulated by Mihalko, School Counselor Leighton Swanson, E2CCB Superintendent David O’Rourke, Ph.D., and Director of Workforce Development Janeil Rey, Ph.D.

Six students received special recognition during the honors presentation. Sydney Lewis (Southwestern CSD) accepted the JBC Entrepreneurship Award, Meghann Nolan (Bemus Point CSD) received the Kip Feinen Award, Joyceanne Wiltsie (Frewsburg CSD) was awarded the Robert Guiffreda Memorial Scholarship, Shaheem Freeney (Jamestown Public Schools) received the Workforce Award, Brianna Dorman (Jamestown Public Schools) won the Association of Career & Technical Education Administrators (ACTEA) Award and Natasha Jaquith (Southwestern CSD) accepted the Principal’s Award.

During his closing remarks, Mihalko offered encouragement to the Class of 2019.

“By far, this year I received more calls from people seeking help for their employment, their jobs, their businesses, all the way from Erie, Pennsylvania … to West Seneca,” Mihalko said. “So if you’re wondering if you’ve made the right decision, I think you have.”

After two years of hard work, the E2CCB graduates exited the front steps of the high school to celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family. They are some of the 37,313 students across New York state developing college and career-ready skills in career and technical education programs.