Center for Career Services celebrates the end of a successful school year

  • Two young ladies holding a snake.
  • Four young ladies in a photo booth.
  • Two girls in a photo booth posing.
  • Two girls taking a photo with props.
  • A young lady with CPR equipment.
  • A man performing the Heimlich.
  • A man being handcuffed.
  • A female fingerprinting a man.
  • A young man fishing for ducks.
  • Two young ladies holding rats.
  • Three young men smiling.
  • A group of students playing a game.
  • A young man playing Jenga.
  • Two men smiling.
  • A group of students posing for a photo.
  • A group of students doing hair.
  • Three young ladies smiling, one holding a rat.
  • A young man working sound equipement.
  • A young man break-dancing in front of a group of students.
  • A group dancing.
  • A young lady taking a selfie with a snake.

Career and Technical Education students attend Spring Social

On a warm, sunny day in June, students from each of the Career and Technical Education programs gathered on the lawn of Southern Westchester BOCES’ Valhalla campus to celebrate the completion of the 2023-2024 academic year. There was music, activities, prizes, and ice cream.

Spearheaded by the Student Council, the Spring Social was a collaborative effort that brought together students from across the campus. The event allowed students to showcase their chosen trade and to experience what other programs entail.

Kaitlyn Knecht, a senior at Dobbs Ferry High School, is the secretary of Student Council and is in the Animal Science program.

“We wanted everyone to get to know each other. This is something we have been working on for a couple of months. Each class has a representative, and they brought something different to the table,” said Kaitlyn. “I worked with my teacher, Mr. D’Abruzzo, to make our station possible. We have a petting zoo and a duck game where you can win prizes.”

Nearly a dozen programs contributed to making the event a success. Students got creative while decorating a vehicle hood set up at the Collision Technology table. At the Commercial Art table, students in the program displayed their talents as they drew portraits. Cosmetology students offered services such as hair braiding and hair tinsel, for those who wanted to get glammed up for the celebration. Security, Law & Policing students demonstrated how to properly handcuff and fingerprint a suspect. Computer Information Systems/Medical Administrative Assistant students certified in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation demonstrated how to perform CPR, while Emergency Medical Services students manned the Heimlich Challenge. 

The students also enjoyed ice cream, provided by the Culinary Arts program and music courtesy of the Sound Production program. When students weren’t dancing, they were either playing games, such as cornhole, soccer, or Jenga, or sitting down and enjoying the original movies created by the TV/Video Production students.

“I’m so happy with how this event turned out,” said Student Council’s morning session President, Nora McCormick, a junior at New Rochelle High School. “I think the fan favorites were Cosmetology and Emergency Medical Services. Oh, and you can’t go wrong with free ice cream.”

The Spring Social was the perfect way to end the year and a final hoorah for those who are graduating.

“I’m happy with the way it turned out, and the kids are having a good time. They worked really hard this year and put in a lot of effort,” said Assistant Principal Phil Donohue. “This is the time of year the students are looking for a fun way to celebrate. They have been asking to see the work other programs do, and this is a good way to show that.”