SkillsUSA Signing Day highlights students’ vast future plans

 Students at the Center for Career Services were recognized at SkillsUSA Signing Day. 

Student plans include college, trade schools, starting careers and enlisting in the armed forces

Southern Westchester BOCES recognized students for their hard work and dedication and celebrated their bright futures during SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 29, 2025.

The singing ceremony, which allowed teachers and advisors to salute their students, cast a spotlight on the various college and career paths ahead of them.

“Today is about more than just a signing,” Center for Career Services Assistant Principal Philip Donohue said. “This is about honoring all pathways because one size does not fit all.”

The ceremony, which was held on the Center for Career Services campus in Valhalla, included introductory remarks from SkillsUSA Chapter Officers and members of Southern Westchester BOCES administration. Advisors Howard W. Hamilton, Anchelle Allen, Brandon Barias, Pierre Fils, Vanessa Newby, Brandon Pesco and Melissa Sayegh then recognized the students individually by program.

The student commitments celebrated included post-secondary schooling, career-based pathway and military enlistment.

For example, a representative from one of the school’s business partners, Hott Salons in Rye, which will employ three CCS students after graduation, was among those in attendance.

“This was about celebrating their success in Career and Technical Education,” said CCS Principal Jaclyn De Lao, who is also an Area IV Administrator Trustee for SkillsUSA. “It is an important achievement, and it does matter. This can take them into different areas of their lives. It can be career, and more schooling comes later. Or it can be school, and their career comes later. This celebrates them no matter what step they are about to take.”

Here are this year’s student officers, in addition to the students who were recognized during the ceremony:

Chapter Officers —
AM classes
President: JJ Hetzer
Vice President: Belinda Ceja
Secretary: Eric Garcia
Treasurer: Jahani Valverde
Parliamentarian: Luke Ambrogio
Social Media Manager: Olivia D’Aversa-Herbert, Elizabeth Tietjen

PM classes
President: Nathan Stone
Vice President: Elizabeth Torres
Secretary: Rachael Espinoza
Treasurer: Alessandro Vaccaro
Parliamentarian: Jasmin Perez-Miguel
Social Media Manager: Candelaria Santiago

SkillsUSA Signees —

Animal Science
Gabriella Capone (Sacred Heart)
Rachael Espinoza (Mercy)

Automotive
Alex Cordazzo (SUNY Morrisville/Automotive Technology Ford ASSET Program)
Pasquale Gambardella (Rockland CC/Ford ASSET Program)

Cosmetology
Jailene Ayala Coyt (Westchester CC)
Belinda Ceja (Monroe College)
Olivia D’Aversa-Herbert (Iona)
Alexandria Maresca (Manhattanville)
Cassidy Minetti (Manhattanville)
Robert Pecchia (Hott Salons Apprentice & Blowdry Stylist)
Siena Pisacreta (Hott Salons Apprentice)
Elizabeth Tietjen (Westchester CC/Stylist at Hott Salons Blowdry Stylist)

Culinary Arts
David Dierssen (Culinary Institute of America)
Jael Goulbourne (Johnson & Wales)
Joselyn Mickens (Culinary Institute of America)

Emergency Medical Services
Eric Garcia (Hartford/Army National Guard)
Gabrielle Marcelin (Morgan State)
JJ Hetzer (Lake Forest)
Jahani Valverde (Center for Allied Health Education)