CAM P-TECH recognized student achievement, academic milestones, and future career plans during its Senior Advancement Ceremony on June 23 at Springville-Griffith Institute High School.
Principal Heather Banks welcomed students, families, staff, and community partners, describing the ceremony as a celebration of growth, perseverance, and determination.
“Tonight, we celebrate more than academic achievement,” Banks said. “We celebrate the growth, perseverance, resilience, and determination our students have demonstrated throughout their journey at CAM P-TECH.”
For more photos from CAM P-TECH’s Senior Advancement ceremony, click here.
The event honored members of the program’s fifth cohort who are advancing to the next stage of their education while also recognizing students from earlier cohorts who have completed associate degrees through CAM P-TECH’s partnership with Alfred State College.
Advancing students pursuing an associate’s degree from the Class of 2026 include:
- Declan Ahrens of Springville, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Rachael Fix of Orchard Park, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Michael Haynes of Holland, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Trevor Hogan of Holland, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Jacob Jones of Orchard Park, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Jeramie Klahn of Springville, Computer Information Systems
- Cashis Montour of Gowanda, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Scott Peterman of Springville, Computer Information Systems
- Dante Raimonde of Springville, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
- Greyson Wiedeman of East Aurora, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Class speakers reflected on their experiences in the program and the lessons learned during their time at CAM P-TECH.
Salutatorian Jeramie Klahn encouraged classmates to recognize how much they had accomplished through perseverance and mutual support.
“None of us got here completely on our own,” Klahn said. “We had our teachers pushing us to be the best possible, even though we didn’t want to hear it at the time. We had our family members and friends who encouraged us, helped us, and constantly reminded us that we were capable.”
Valedictorian Declan Ahrens spoke about the personal growth he experienced during his years at CAM P-TECH and challenged fellow graduates to pursue their goals with determination.
“If I’ve learned anything from this school, it’s about standards,” Ahrens said. “You set the standard, and then you become it.”
Representing the program’s industry partners, Ellen Ditonto, Business Development Coordinator at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, congratulated graduates and advancing students on their accomplishments, crediting their success to hard work and the support of family, friends, teachers, and mentors.
She also spoke about the growing demand for skilled workers in electrical, technology, and cybersecurity fields, encouraging students to embrace lifelong learning and future opportunities.
“The best skilled trade jobs for the future are those that combine technical expertise with the human touch,” Ditonto said. “As long as you keep your mind open to new changes and innovation and a passion for excellence, you’ll do fine in any career path.”
Dr. John Griesmer, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at E2CCB, congratulated the CAM P-TECH students and thanked the families, educators, and industry partners whose support helped students reach this milestone.
He praised graduates for successfully balancing high school, college coursework, and workplace experiences through the rigorous P-TECH model. Griesmer noted that the program has prepared them with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in high-demand careers and encouraged them to continue learning, leading, and building the future.
History teacher Andrew Chester, who was selected by the students to deliver the faculty address, reflected on the role many students played in the development of CAM P-TECH as the school continued to grow and evolve.
“You undertook a journey into the unknown that will forever set you apart from our future cohorts,” Chester said. “CAM P-TECH is what it is today, and will be in the future because of you.”
Several students were also recognized with special awards and scholarships. Klahn and Ahrens received the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Student Achievement Award for outstanding academic and leadership performance. Scott Peterman received the Tri-County BOCES Education Association Leadership Award, Cashis Montour received the Robert S. Guiffreda Scholarship, and Rachael Fix received the Orchard Park All-Class Reunion Scholarship.
The ceremony also celebrated students from Cohorts 3 and 4 who completed associate degrees through Alfred State College.
Recognized graduates included:
- Dylan Benkelman of Gowanda, who is seeking employment and exploring opportunities with CAM P-TECH business partners
- Reed Hoffman of Holland, who plans to launch Hoffman Construction Electric
- David Kirkpatrick of Springville, employed by Fry Electric
- Corbin Marano of Iroquois, employed by Sora Partners
- Luciano Polizzi of Springville, employed by GTI Fabrication
- Debralina Randle of Springville, employed by North Park Innovations
- Gregory Reid of Gowanda, employed by GTI Fabrication
- Owen Sweeney of Springville, employed by GTI Fabrication
As the ceremony concluded, Banks congratulated students on reaching an important milestone and encouraged them to take pride in their accomplishments as they move forward into college and careers.
