PTA Award Winners 2023
Uchechi Chukwuemeka and Genesis Mata Honored at Annual PTA Dinner
Two Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology students, Uchechi Chukwuemeka and Genesis Mata, were honored as recipients of the Suffolk Region’s PTA Scholarships at the 23rd Annual PTA Showcase and Dinner at the Bellport Academic Center on March 15, 2023. The Academy is the Career and Technical Education Program of Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) with locations in Oakdale, Bellport, and Riverhead. Uchechi attends the Computer Technology and Repair Program at Bixhorn Technical Center in Bellport and also attends ESBOCES Sequoya High School. Genesis is a Clinical Medical Assisting student at Ward Technical Center in Riverhead. Both students were selected because of their work ethics and the maturity that they bring to their classrooms.
Uchechi Chukwuemeka gives much of her time to community service, is a positive role model for her peers, and represents Bixhorn Tech as an officer, delegate, and competitor at regional and state competitions. Her school activities include Our Poetry Society, No Place for Hate, Girls Inc., Student Government, National Honor Society, and Skills USA. She has earned the National African American Recognition Award, an ESBOCES Equity Champion Award, and participated in the PTA's Reflections Program. In addition to maintaining high grades, she works 30 hours a week at two jobs.
Genesis Mata challenges herself academically with a full schedule of AP and college level/credit classes while also maintaining a part-time job. She upholds a high GPA and spends much of her time involved in extracurricular activities. She serves the community through various events, drives, clean ups, and volunteer ambulance. She has used her time at Ward Tech to support her goal of working in the medical field.
For the past 23 years, Eastern Suffolk BOCES and the Suffolk Region PTA have sponsored the Annual Showcase and Dinner. During the evening, attendees learned about the wide array of programs that ESBOCES offers to its students, as well as the program and services that are available to school districts.