Minisink Valley High School students who attend Orange-Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program recently showcased their technical programs and skills during a Media Day event held at the Orange Ulster BOCES to mark CTE Month, a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE programs nationwide.

Students displayed projects showcasing their best work. Culinary students, under the direction of their instructors, prepared and served breakfast. Faculty members and their students shared their programs’ experiences participating in trade-related events and competitions, including the Auto Technology students and the CISCO CCNA/Computer Networking students who recently took top awards in statewide competitions for their trades.

Representing Automotive Technology were Justin Mitts and Matt Knapp with students from other districts.

Tristan Pilat was among the participating group who were CyberPatriot competition New York State winners.

Cosmetology student Nevada Dysard and her Cornwall High School partner staffed a display featuring with the natural hairstyles created by students in the Cosmetology program.

Education Careers Academy student Julia Wallace and her Monroe-Woodbury High School colleague staffed the academy’s display.

Through a hands-on academic component in each classroom, CTE students integrate academics into their technical curriculum to meet their high school graduation requirements. Many of the CTE career academies are nationally accredited and feature the most recent trends in technology as well as instructors with the latest trade experience.

OU BOCES offers 39 CTE programs which give students the opportunity to graduate from high school with technical experience, professional skills, national industry certifications and college credit in a wide variety of high-demand occupations on two campuses in Goshen.