5-21-2013
The Animal Science and TV Production students were very surprised and happy to hear that they won the first prize $2,500 grant education award. It was a collaborative effort that paid off!
Students in Lisa Mongiello’s Animal Science Program and Mark Deedy’s TV Production Program at the Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC) were the first prize winners of the 6th – 12th grade category of the third annual Mutt-i-grees® “America Adopts” Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest. As a first prize winner, the school received a $2,500 educational grant for their PSA “Why Mutt-i-grees®?” The check was presented at a recent surprise visit from the Publishers Clearing House prize patrol, Scooby-Doo, and the Mutt-i-grees® Team at the school.
The Lucky 12 students who were involved in producing the Muttigrees PSA gather around the oversized $2,500 check presented to them by Publishers Clearing House prize patrol. Jani Gruen from TV Production is not pictured. The PSA Contest is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the availability and desirability of shelter pets, otherwise known as Mutt-i-grees®. Students from across the country submitted creative PSAs encouraging Americans to adopt from their local shelter or rescue group. The contest reflects the essence of the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum; a unique approach to teaching children social and emotional skills, as well as highlighting the individual characteristics and needs of Mutt-i-grees®. The curriculum was developed by Yale University School of the 21st Century in collaboration with North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Savers Foundation and funded by the Cesar Millan Foundation. This year, students incorporated Scooby-Doo into their PSA entries as it was proudly announced to the world last year that “Scooby-Doo is a Mutt-i-gree® too!” The BTC video, “Why Muttigrees®?” takes on some of the myths and stereotypes surrounding shelter animals. Its question-and-answer format aims to set the record straight. They help dispel myths that shelter animals are any less desirable than pets that can be bought in a pet store or from a breeder. The winning students from Lisa Mongiello’s Animal Science Class include Jordan Alba, Bridget Ali, Zakia Eleazer, Heather Fairchild, Samantha Heins, Ronald Howell, Jonathan Lundstrom, Zoe Norton, Adrianne Ragland and Serena Valle. Students Conor Landhauser and Jani Gruen from Mark Deedy’s TV Production class contributed to the editing of their video.The students’ PSA mirrored the curriculum’s core values: fostering empathy, compassion, and responsible decision-making. Their message makes a strong case that adopting a Mutt-i-gree® from a shelter is evidently the best choice. “Why adopt a Muttigree®?” they ask, “Because you never know who is going to rescue whom!”Animal Science Teacher Lisa Mongiello said, “All the students who enroll in this course have heart and love animals.” She is very passionate about teaching her students the myths versus the facts about adopting animals from shelters. When she became aware of the Mutt-i-grees® contest that was themed “America Adopts” and raising awareness about adopting a pet from a shelter, she knew that this was an opportunity to make a difference. “I always tell my students the only way to make a change is to go out there and do something,” said Ms. Mongiello.ESBOCES teachers are encouraged to collaborate with other ESBOCES CTE programs. Ms. Mongiello contacted TV Production Teacher Mark Deedy to see if he had some students interested in the project to raise awareness. Two TV Production students worked with 11 Animal Science students over the course of one week. The 13 students brainstormed and decided that a ‘myth versus fact’ Public Service Announcement (PSA) was the way to go. The school plans to use the $2,500 grant to enhance the experience of the students by purchasing some of the items necessary to begin neutering. The teachers would like to set up a clinic that would allow a local vet to come in and do neutering for the community. The contest was open to all accredited schools that teach children in Pre-K – 12th grades. The PSAs were judged by a panel of experts from Animal League America, Publishers Clearing House, Warner Bros. and The Cesar Millan Foundation. Entries were based on originality, creativity and persuasiveness. To learn more about the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum or to view all of the winning PSAs visit http://education.muttigrees.org/.
5-21-2013
There was an amazing amount of creativity, imagination, skill, and talent at the annual Fran Cook Hair Styling Competition. Everyone was a winner!
Several hundred people attended the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Fran Cook Hair Styling Competition to see students show off their skill, talent, and creativity. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hauppauge on May 6, 2013. The students were given total freedom to show off their best and craziest hair designs. Students can use items like styrofoam, spray paint, hair extensions, plastic flowers, battery-operated lights, anything to enhance and wow the judges and make the fantasy designs bigger and better. In recent years, students have created hair designs shaped like spaghetti and meatballs, a giraffe, a scorpion, a chandelier and more. The competition is held as a scholarship fundraiser in memory of Ms. Cook, a beloved and inspirational cosmetology teacher. The suggested donation was $10 which benefitted scholarships for graduating seniors. Refreshments were compliments of the ESBOCES Culinary Arts Program students.
First place senior evening winners, hair stylist Tatiana Almanzar, Comsewogue UFSD, in Lara Vecchio’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale with model, Sam Brown, adult education student.
Second place senior evening winners, model Veronica Guanga, adult education student and hair stylist Julia Fortuna, Shoreham-Wading River CSD, a student in Kathleen Calandra’s class at Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC) in Riverhead.
Third place senior evening winners, hair stylist Leanne Goldstein and model Avalon Randi, both from Port Jefferson UFSD. Leanne is enrolled in Michelle Pristina’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) and Avalon is an aviation student enrolled in ESBOCES Suffolk Aviation Academy (SAA). Students from Luke Mahoney’s Barbering Program volunteered their time to sell items such as bracelets, medallions, t-shirts, and buttons for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. All proceeds went to benefit cancer research.Local beauty salons, health and beauty product companies, and local practitioners such as Arbonne, Cactus Salon, So.CAP.USA, Rodan & Fields Dermatologists, Barbershop Connect.com, and Salon Nevaeh attended and provided discounted products and job applications to interested students.Mr. Mahoney was the emcee for the evening and music was provided by Technic Entertainment.The competition categories were senior evening, junior evening, senior fantasy, and junior fantasy. The final designs were so fabulous that the judges had a hard time deciding first, second, and third place winners. Here are the final results.
First place junior evening winners, hair stylist Claire Olsen and model Jordan Sundberg. Both are from the Eastport-South Manor CSD enrolled in Arlene Seyfert's class at Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC) in Bellport.
Second place junior evening winners, adult model Sonia Nadeem, and hair stylist Rameen Amir, a student from Connetquot CSD in Carolyn McKillop’s class at the Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
Third place junior evening winners, hair stylist Martha Maurad, Patchogue-Medford UFSD and model Diane Angeles, Hampton Bays UFSD. Both are students in Arlene Seyfert’s class at Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC).
First place senior fantasy winners, hair stylist Devon Grotta, adult education student and model Lexi Pryor, adult education student in Linette Provestro’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
Second place senior fantasy winners, model Caitlyn Shook, Connetquot CSD and hair stylist Britany Makowski, Connetquot CSD. Both are enrolled in Lara Vecchio’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
Third place senior fantasy winners, model Emily Lowery, adult education student and hair stylist Britany Pfeil, adult education student. Both are from Lara Vecchio’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
First place junior fantasy winners, hair stylist Nina Casey, Rocky Point UFSD and model Brianna Hallock, adult education student. Nina is enrolled in Carolyn McKillop’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
Second place junior fantasy winners, model Kristie McAteer, West Islip UFSD and hair stylist Khalee’ah Cherry, Islip UFSD. Both are enrolled in Carolyn McKillop’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
Third place junior fantasy winners, model Angela Morris and hair stylist Jessica Alix. Both are students at Connetquot CSD and enrolled in Deborah Esposito’s class at Milliken Technical Center (MTC) in Oakdale.
5-21-2013
Please join students in helping veterans help injured troops in rehab.
Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May, but for the students and staff at ESBOCES, recognition began on May 1. Collection boxes are in place in all schools to accept non-breakable personal hygiene items, playing cards, and travel-size games and crafts for troops. Students in Talia Mochi-Cliffe’s Art, Design & Visual Communications class at Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC) designed original artwork featuring patriotic themes silk-screened onto T-shirts and notecards. Additionally, a Portfolio Night Art Exhibit was held May 17, at BTC, featuring students work from the Art, Design & Visual Communications, Professional Photography, Fashion Merchandising, and TV & Digital Film Production classes, during which some funds were raised to offset costs. Islip Career Center Assistant Principal and SkillsUSA Administrator Dawn Scicolone, is overseeing the students’ assistance in the Helping Veterans to Help Troops project. Students will sort through the donations and prepare everything for shipping. “This is a very important event to them,” Ms. Scicolone reported. “SkillsUSA students take great pride in their community service efforts.”ESBOCES Data Base Manager Bob Cuce, a Vietnam War veteran who encourages support for troops returning home ill, wounded, and/or making the transition back into their communities, is working with United Parcel Service, which will pick up and deliver the donations. The National Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Association, of which Mr. Cuce is vice president, will present the donations to the veterans.For more information, contact either Ms. Scicolone at (631) 244-5904 or dscicolo@esboces.org, or Mr. Cuce at (631) 687-3213 or bcuce@esboces.org.Memorial Day - originally called Decoration Day - is a time to fly the flag of the Unites States from dawn until dusk, visit cemeteries to honor those who died in military service, and provide support for both troops and veterans.
These student-created designs are among the top 15 selected.
Pictured are 18-month calendars with different partriotic designs by students for each month.
Teacher Talia Mochi-Cliffe and Data Base Manager Bob Cuce show one of the finished T-shirts that will be given to the veterans.
5-21-2013
Congratulations to the students who participated in and graduated from the Suffolk County Youth Police Academy.
The Suffolk County Community College Sagtikos Theatre was filled to capacity with police officers, administrators, parents, friends, and students. Thirty two youth police academy completers from Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) and 14 from Western Suffolk BOCES were the 19th class graduating from the Suffolk County Police Youth Academy.
Graduates, class youth advisors, and academy training staff from the 19th class at the Suffolk County Police Youth Academy. The students lived at the academy in Brentwood for five days. They received uniforms and official Suffolk Police Academy caps. When the morning formalities of presenting arms and performing morning inspections were concluded, the students literally hit the ground running. Over the course of their five-day stay, students engaged in agility, tactics, fire arms simulator, and baton training. They learned first-hand how K-9 dogs are used by the police. They visited the different schools of training at the academy such as radar school, aviation, and emergency service. The Crime Scene Unit was especially interesting to those students who are looking for a career in forensics. Sitting shot gun with a police officer, students learned how to apprehend an assailant which includes cuffing the “perp” while protecting themselves.There was so much to learn. Before picking up a gun at the shooting range, the students had to don protective gear, and receive basic gun training. Could the students get a bull’s eye like several of the police officers training them? Practice makes perfect.The obstacle course was probably the most physically draining. These police academy youths had to run an obstacle course that concluded with practicing catching an assailant. They hurdled and crawled over and under obstacles, dragged a real person down a hall, gave them CPR, then shot at a target, found the assailant, subdued and cuffed them. The scene was something you would see on an action-packed police show. The police mission and what is taught at the youth police academy is to preserve the public peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders, protect the rights of persons and property, and enforce all laws and ordinances. The graduates were clear that the skills and knowledge they learned related to real-life police work. The program is offered to students enrolled in the Law Enforcement Programs at ESBOCES and is well suited for those who are interested in furthering their career in criminal justice.The experience is designed to operate like an actual police academy including classroom and physical training specifically designed for BOCES students. The SCPD also offers a week of training for non-BOCES students.
5-20-2013
Prom Salon held at Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC) by the Adult Ed Cosmetology students provided high school girls an array of gorgeous gowns for FREE.
A beautiful selection of brand new and gently used dresses, shoes, handbags, and other merchandise were available at the Prom Salon held at Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC) in Riverhead earlier this month.The Prom Salon was the brainchild of the Adult Cosmetology Program students and their teacher Dorothea LoBiondo. Word got out that they were asking for gowns, shoes, purses, and jewelry donations. Ms. LoBiondo said, “It seemed like every day more items were being delivered to my classroom. It was great.”Over the course of the school year, the cosmetology students participate in a myriad of community services to elevate their skills and obtain needed hours to satisfy their New York State 1,000-hour requirement to take the licensing examination.
Adult Education Cosmetology student Tia Santacroce donned one of the gowns and modeled it in front of the rows of dresses available to local high school students. Ms. LoBiondo was pleased to share, “We had more than fifty young ladies come and try on gowns.” The prom can be an expensive endeavor but some girls feel it is a monumental moment in their teen years. Ms. LoBiondo said, “We want to give girls the opportunity to join their peers and take the stress out of what should be a fun night.”High school girls have the opportunity to come back to the Riverhead campus of ESBOCES and get their hair, nails, and makeup done for their prom. All salon services are being donated by the Adult Education Cosmetology Program.
5-17-2013
Dylan a 15-year-old student at WCTC is a published author.
On September 5, 2012, 15-year-old Dylan Depetro from Greenport UFSD entered Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC) in Riverhead for the first time. He was excited, enthusiastic, and motivated.
Pictured (l to r) Business Teacher Virginia Rios, student and poet Dylan Depetro, and Assistant Principal of Ward Career and Technical Center, Harry Dean. He was eager to attend the Business and Office Technology class. He began writing poetry as part of a creative journal writing project. Dylan quickly demonstrated his ability for writing poetry with a new inspiring poem each day. So impressed by his talent and passion for writing, his teacher, Virginia Rios, recommended that Dylan submit his poetry for publication. Under Mrs. Rios' direction, Dylan entered his poetry in a contest. Within a couple of weeks, Dylan was notified that his poem was accepted for publication. Shortly thereafter, Dylan was presented with the extraordinary honor of having his poetry published in the book entitled, A Celebration of Poets by Creative Communications. This publication proudly recognizes Dylan as an author.
5-15-2013
Luke Mahoney's Barbering students looked forward to providing haircuts for veterans at the VA.
It was “Stand Down Day” at the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Northport and hundreds of vets were enjoying some camaraderie. On their schedules were free haircuts given by Milliken Technical Center (MTC) Barbering students and graduates.Mr. Mahoney and his Barbering students have been to the VA numerous times not only to thank the veterans for serving their country, but to provide the experience for the young barbers. “It’s a very powerful event,” he said “felt on both sides. Plus, it’s a chance to help these men and women.”
Fondly known as “Joe the Barber” by clients, Joe Belonzi is a graduate of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Barbering Program. Additionally, he is a 2011 agency success story. On this day, Mr. Mahoney had three females onboard. “Barbering is precision haircutting, so the girls are learning a lot,” he explained. With them was World War II Vet John Ryan, a licensed barber who volunteers at the VA. “What’s nice about this arrangement,” he said, “is that the students can pick up other techniques, old world techniques. Everyone is always so glad when they come.” As the veteran’s hair is cut, the students hear firsthand about military experiences.
Barbering Teacher Luke Mahoney (left) with Samantha Tacoma, Sachem CSD graduate and morning Barbering Program student; Kristen Curto, West Islip UFSD graduate and licensed cosmetologist; Krystal Kolderman, Longwood CSD graduate from the Adult Education Barbering Program; and Joe Belonzi, Longwood CSD graduate and NYS Master Barber, working as a teacher assistant for the Adult Education Licensed Barber Program. In addition to haircuts, the vets attend a large street fair-type gathering where they get can meet with social services, LIPA to arrange payment plans, the Salvation Army for clothes, Long Island Harvest for food, and United Veterans Beacon House for assistance in employment and referrals. There were about 30 tables offering assistance, including Suffolk County Community College and St. John’s University to discuss admission eligibility and reduced tuitions to continue their education.Vietnam veteran and National Education Program Director Morris Miller, who is also Executive Board of Volunteer Services president, commented, “Luke has been bringing his students to the VA for many years and it’s a wonderful thing.”
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