Center for Career Services students rewarded for effort at award ceremony
Senior students received scholarships, awards and other honors for their success
Students from the Center for Career Services were celebrated for their hard work and success throughout the 2024-25 school year on Thursday, June 5. The annual Award Ceremony was held on Southern Westchester BOCES’ campus in Valhalla.
Students from various programs were presented with select scholarships, while others were honored as Best in Program.
The students were presented with their awards by counselors Monica Mann, Anna Macchia and Kevin McAllister and school social worker Eileen Yip. Among those in attendance for the recognition were Director Dahlia Jackson, Principal Jaclyn De Lao and Assistant Principal Phil Donohue, along with members of Southern Westchester BOCES administration, included District Superintendent Dr. Harold Coles, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services Steve Tibbetts, and Assistant Superintendent for Education Services Jim Gratto.
“You are our future,” De Lao told the students. “You are all going to do amazing things to help lead us forward.”
In addition to award presentations from members of the administration and school counselors, several instructors presented their students with Best in Program honors.
Each student at the Awards Ceremony receive a certificate and plaque to mark their achievements.
Scholarships and Awards
NYBEST Scholarship: Belinda Ceja, New Rochelle - Cosmetology 
Robin Ornstein Scholarship: Sophie Decker-Ciulla, Irvington - Animal Science
Falence Project Scholarship: Onome Egbivwie, Eastchester - Commercial Art
Kristopher Earl Johnson Memorial Scholarship: Ashley Aguilar, New Rochelle - Cosmetology; Dominic Dapice, Ardsley - Electrical; Julian Estevez, Port Chester - Collision; Kyle Snow, Rye Neck - Construction/Plumbing
Secondary Day Career & Technical Education Outstanding Student: JJ Hetzer, Pelham - Emergency Medical Services
Introduction to Career & Technical Education Outstanding Student: Arlinda Hoxhaj, BOCES/Yonkers - Applied Art
Donald B. Barbieri Memorial Award: Elizabeth Tietjen, Rye - Cosmetology
John Remling Memorial Award: Kalani Winston, New Rochelle - Sound Production
John Harley Memorial Award: Christopher Paul Malave, Sleepy Hollow - Security, Law & Policing
Ray Oddo Memorial Award: Noel Pena, Rye Neck - Auto Body
Dr. Colleen Murray Scholarship Award: Jasmyn Barrett, Harrison - Retail Food Skills & Services
Ruth Bullwinkel Memorial Award: Belinda Ceja, New Rochelle - Cosmetology
Stock Award for Culinary Excellence: Andres Angulo, New Rochelle - Culinary Arts
Excellence in Baking Award: Jocelyn Mickens, New Rochelle - Culinary Arts
Elaine Barisch Memorial Award: Paulina Oliveros, New Rochelle - CISMAA
Margaret Antonecchia Memorial Award: Danna Zapata, New Rochelle - CISMAA
Dree Atkins Award: Valeria Meda Pena, New Rochelle - Commercial Art
Ollie Clark Memorial Award: Dwight James, New Rochelle - Electrical Construction
Hanifah Muhammad Award: John Ruffler, Irvington - Emergency Medical Services
Glenn Demers Award: Julian Estevez, Port Chester - Collision Technology
Best in Program
Animal Science - Kaylin Bores, Edgemont
Intro to Applied Art - Alan Meija, New Rochelle
Architecture - Alessandro Vaccaro, Ardsley
Automotive (Nelson) - Pasquale Gambardella, Woodlands
Automotive (Schwartzott) - Nahdi Naheem, New Rochelle
Auto Body & Detailing - Noel Pena, Rye Neck
CISCO - Paul John Denaro, Rye Neck
CISMAA - Aneeya Bonner, Alexander Hamilton (pictured right)
Collision - Julian Estevez, Port Chester
Commercial Art - Lisbeth Ortiz, Sleepy Hollow
Construction/Plumbing - Andres Sanchez Sevilla, Port Chester
Cosmetology (Galitello) - Viridiana Hernandez, New Rochelle
Culinary Arts - Chelsea Galindo, New Rochelle
Electrical Construction - Luke Moncada, Ardsley
Emergency Medical Services - Connor Boyle, Rye
Fashion - Nora McCormick, New Rochelle
General Maintenance Assistant - Ethan Lopez, Yonkers/BOCES
Intro to Fashion Design/Retailing - Kimberlyn Lopez-Martinez, White Plains/BOCES
Office Skills - Ana Carvalho, Port Chester
Pre-Engineering - Abraham Suarez, New Rochelle
Retail Food Skills & Services - Jasmyn Rosali Barrett, Harrison
Security, Law & Policing - Tiffanie Schoppmann, Westlake
Sound Production - Sasha Leitner, Irvington
TV/Video Production - Logan Pierre, New Rochelle
