Herkimer BOCES conducted an open house on Wednesday for interested high school students and current students, as well as for alumni, family and friends.
Principal Kathleen Fox said the Careers Through Education program is a great way for students to further their education for a future career. “English, math and Science credits are all integrated into each program. This allows each student to receive the required amount of credits to receive their Regents diploma, as well as their specific training certifications,” she said.
Careers Through Education programs offered at BOCES include early childhood education, business information systems, visual communications, criminal justice, building construction technology, collision repair, welding, cosmetology, culinary and more, said Fox.
Visual communications students took part in designing this year’s open house logo, which was featured on posters and other media such as handouts and pamphlets throughout the BOCES.
Students in the building construction technology class builds a modular home “from the ground up every year,” said senior Ryan McRedmond. Senior Corey Walrath added, “the construction began in the fall and now were ready to start painting.” Walrath said homeowners bid on the house, choose their design concept and the class constructs the house in one school year for the homeowner.
Students in the program not only learn the basics of building construction, but electrical wiring skills are taught as well throughout the length of the course.
The cosmetology program is another popular program offered at BOCES.
“Our students are employable right after they successfully finish their required 1,000 hours of service,” said instructor MaryBeth Napolitano during Wednesday night’s open house.
She said in order to complete their certification students must earn their license, but a temporary license allows them to work up to sixth months prior to earning their official license. “These students are well prepared to begin working as a stylist after completion of the program,” said Napolitano.
“This is what I really want to do. Once I complete this course I’ll be ready to work as a stylist,” said senior cosmetology student Shawna Pardee.
Students in the program are kept up to date on current styles and products.
Instructor Holly Rotundo said the cosmetology students run a full service salon for the public every Wednesday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the BOCES.
The culinary course offers students the opportunity to try their hand at baking and cooking.
“The right side of the brain controls creativity, which is used for baking, and the left side controls logic, which is used in cooking. Because of this we allow students the chance to try both,” said instructor Terry Barr during Wednesday night’s open house.
Junior students begin by learning the art of baking, while seniors learn how to cook.
Culinary students are also taught the theories behind baking and cooking by Jeanni Romanowski.
“I teach the whys and Terry teaches the hows,” said Romanowski.
For more information on Herkimer BOCES, visit www.herkimer-boces.org.