Insider Highlights GST BOCES Culture
Inside Story From a Student
How has GST BOCES positively impacted you so far?
It provided me with opportunities to attend CTE. CTE classes provided me with an opportunity to learn about things that I am passionate about.
What are your future plans?
I am planning to go into the work force as an IT technician.
What is your favorite memory at GST BOCES?
My favorite memory is when I built a computer in CISCO Networking Academy. This was the first time I did something big like this.
Carson R. Wildwood Host Site
Career and Agency Fair
On May 6, GST BOCES and The Arc Allegany-Steuben are teaming up to host a Career and Agency Fair tailored for students with varying abilities.
What’s happening:
70 students (grades 10–12) from across the region
17 local employers
14 community agencies
3 hands-on workshops
The goal:
Equip students with real-world skills, career insights, and agency connections that support their unique paths to success.
Why it matters:
This event opens doors—bridging education, employment, and essential support services in one powerful day. We’re thrilled to welcome all participants to a day of learning, networking, and new possibilities.
Advocacy in Action: A Seat at the Table
Why it matters:
Our Food Services Director Joe Kilmer joined Senator Chuck Schumer at the Corning Food Pantry for a behind-the-scenes roundtable—not for cameras, but for change.
Who was there:
• Food Bank of the Southern Tier
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Advocates for students’ nutrition
The focus:
• School meals + federal support.
• As Congress shapes the next reconciliation bill, the Senator wanted real stories from the frontlines.
What we shared:
• The stakes of school meal funding
• Federal nutrition programs = real-life impact
• Why legislative backing must continue
The result:
• Senator Schumer told us: Keep speaking up. Stay in touch.
• We’ve already invited him to a school cafeteria to see the impact firsthand.
The bottom line:
• Advocacy works.
• Policy is shaped by voices like ours.
• Every student deserves access to nutritious meals—because hunger should never stand in the way of learning.
Insider Highlights Student Opportunities
SkillsUSA
We are proud to announce that our Coopers Campus received Level 2 - Silver in the Chapter of Excellence Program and our Wildwood Campus received a Quality Chapter Award for the successful completion of the SkillsUSA Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) - a prestigious recognition that celebrates commitment to student leadership, career readiness and chapter development.
These awards reflect not only the technical skills of our students but also their dedication to excellence and innovation in their fields. Congratulation to the following:
Wildwood Campus
Silver
• Max Stephens and Talan Fox – Interactive Application Video
• Stephen Jarbeck – Information Technology Services
Bronze
• Dominic Dennis – Heavy Equipment Operations
• Ryan Perkins – Power Equipment Technology
Coopers Campus
Gold
• Mason Horton - Welding Silver
• Liliana French - Nurse Assisting
• Sawyer Westervelt - Masonry
• Caleb Sindlinger - Heavy Equipment Operation Bronze
• Braelyn Elliott, Sydney Ford, Gabriel MajorsOccupational Health and Safety Team
HOSA
FCCLA
Our Bush Campus FCCLA students absolutely dominated at the NYS Leadership Conference, earning 18 Gold Medals! Every student earned a spot at Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations!
Chapter Service Project Portfolios
• “Holiday Helpers” - a toy drive to help children in need: Jordyn Lunger, Natalie Williams, Caitlyn Slavin
• “Senior Ball” - a senior citizen prom at Bethany Courtyards: Molly O’Connell Campbell, Kendra Fish, Reagan Peris
Event Management
• “Attack Cancer” Volleyball camp and tournament for Breast Cancer research through PINK foundation: Madi Jones, Kailey Ripley, Maycie Bennett Focus on Children
• “Find Your Balance” - Helping parents and children finding a balance with cell phone use: Jack Benton, Elise Levantovich, Sibby Lowe
• “Health=Wealth” Making Healthy Choices: Mayla Falank, Ally Balash, Sarah Strobel
National Programs in Action
• “ Forever 2Six” Donate Life - Organ Donation Initiative in memory of Billy Lowe: Leah Scott, Anna Lowe, Jordan Sheehan
• “Not Here” Anti-Bullying initiative with CASA Trinity: Kaylyn Cook, Anna Ruhmel, Alli Ruhmel
This is what hard work, dedication, and passion look like!
HOSA—Future Health Professionals is an international student-led organization designed to empower students who are interested in pursuing careers in the health and medical fields through competitive events, leadership opportunities and hands-on experiences.
Congratulations to the following students from Wildwood Campus for placing at their HOSA competition.
• Miranda Garner - Silver medal in Personal Care
• Alice Gerow - Silver medal in Nurse Assisting
• Jazelle Robinson - Bronze medal in Clinical Nursing
• Rachel Bourgoine - Bronze medal in Health Career Photography
• CeCe Seaman- Bronze medal in Home Health Aid
• Rihanna Stuart - Bronze medal in Personal Care
• Brynn Hunt- won the design for this year’s HOSA program.
Recognitions and Celebrations
National Technical Honor Society
Elmira Heights
Emily Aiello, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Allyson Balash, NV Human Services and Education
Maycie Bennett, NV Human Services and Education
Garrett Davis, Automotive Technology
Mayla Falank, NV Human Services and Education
Maya Kingsley, Early Childhood
Shay Law, Early Childhood
Reyes McAtee, Building Construction
Isabella Moffe, NV Health Careers Exploration
Jazlyn Nichols, NV Human Services and Education
Ashlynn Osborn, Cosmetology
Reagan Peris, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Kaleb Podoliak, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Kailey Ripley, NV Human Services and Education
Hammondsport
Zoey Christensen, Automotive Technology
Austin Hurlburt, Building Construction
Nevaeh Mills, Collision Repair/Refinishing Tech
Mason Williams, Building Construction
Hornell
Michael Adams, Animal Science
Izaiah Adams, Automotive Technology
Spencer Beyea, Animal Science
Cashus Cabic, CISCO Networking Academy
Hailey Clark, Automotive Technology
Ash Dodge, Animal Science
Ethan Flint, Automotive Technology
Braydon Fouser, Auto Technology
Landon Gadson, Building Construction
Edwin Hill, Automotive Technology
Braylee Hunt, Animal Science
Cristian Irwin, Automotive Technology
Bailey Johnson, Animal Science
Kada Miles, Animal Science
William Murphy, Building Construction
Samantha Sexsmith, Building Construction
Alex Smith, Animal Science
Bryanna Tremblay, Animal Science
Conner Weitzel, Animal Science
Horseheads
Karis Adams, NV Human Services and Education
Jessica Als, NV Health Careers Exploration
Ian Balster, Automotive Technology
Jack Benton, NV Human Services and Education
Alyssa Carlson, Cosmetology
Benjamin Church, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Carlo Cipolla, NV Health Careers Exploration
Michael Colon, Digital Media Arts
Ryan Colvin, Conservation
Haley Comfort, NV Human Services and Education
Kaylyn Cook, NV Human Services and Education
Rhiannon Costley, Cosmetology
Kirsten Davis, NV Health Careers Exploration
Alexandra Drake, Dental Assisting
Ethan Dziennik, Building Construction
Amelia Ellison, NV Health Careers Exploration
Jack Fesetch, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Arianna Fuksman, NV Human Services and Education
Rebecca Fullmer, Cosmetology
Thalia Garcia, Nurse Assisting
Olivia Gavin, NV Health Careers Exploration
MacKenzie Grover, NV Health Careers Exploration
Carley Hansen, Cosmetology
Tori Harley, Cosmetology
Noelle Harpster, NV Health Careers Exploration
Christian Headley, Automotive Technology
Kael Herbitter, Digital Media Arts
Andrew Hollenbeck, Building Construction
Paige Janowski, Early Childhood
Anika Kamaraju, NV Health Careers Exploration
Liam Kane, NV Human Services and Education
Zachery Kathan, Building Construction
Reilly Kelly, Conservation
Michelle Koester, Culinary Arts
Elise Levantovich, NV Human Services and Education
Sibby Lowe, NV Human Services and Education
Jordyn Lunger, NV Human Services and Education
Amanda McLaughlin, NV Innovation, Leadership, Business
Danika Morehouse, NV Health Careers Exploration
Brennan Murray, Dental Assisting
Devon Northrup, Conservation
Emma O’Harra, Conservation
Tabitha Oakes, Cosmetology
Drew Parsons, Building Construction
Parents, Community and Alumni
Coopers Campus Students
Build Dugout for Bradford
Adult Education Opportunities
Barbering is a 600-hour adult education program designed to prepare students for a career in the appearance and enhancement field.
Hours: 600 hrs.
Days/Times: Tues - Thurs: 9:00am-2:00pm
Tuition: $9,400 + $100 enrollment fee
Location: Baldwin Campus Ext.
Upcoming Dates: August 19, 2025-June 11, 2026
Students in the Building Construction class at Coopers Campus put their skills to work outside the classroom by building a new dugout for the Bradford School athletic field.
The project gives students hands-on experience in design, planning and construction, while also supporting school sports. It’s part of our commitment to real-world learning and community engagement.
Classes follow the New York State approved curriculum required for taking state licensing exams. The Barbering Program offers students the opportunity to practice their skills during regular classes and clinics.
Use this QR code for more information on barbering or other adult education opportunity.
Adult Education Students Honored at NYACCE Conference
Two remarkable students from GST BOCES Adult Education programs have been selected for recognition at the 2025 New York Association for Continuing and Community Education (NYACCE) conference in Albany, celebrating their resilience and achievement in the face of adversity.
Tanzania Page overcame homelessness, loss and personal hardship to earn her High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma. She continued her journey by becoming a certified Nurse Aide, working as a Teacher’s Aide at GST BOCES, and enrolling in college to study criminal justice. Nominated by instructor Samantha Cavallaro, Tanzania is now the first in her family to attend college and is dedicated to advocating for others.
Brayden Lower turned his life around after being expelled from high school and placed on probation. Through hard work, he earned his HSE diploma, joined the GST BOCES Welding program, and found employment—all while overcoming personal obstacles and lack of support. Brayden’s story is one of persistence and personal growth.
Both students were honored, along with GST BOCES literacy staff, at the NYACCE conference in April.
