Minisink Valley High School seniors Chrislyn Nunez-Donald and Ashley Bonner were members of a student panel who shared their Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) experiences and future plans during O-U BOCES’ recent Media Day.

Local dignitaries, community members and media representatives attended the gathering held in support of 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 in the lobby of the CTE building. 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, CISCO CCNA/Computer Networking students, as well as instructors from the Education and Culinary academies.

OU BOCES offers 37 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.