BEMUS POINT — The Hewes Educational Center recognized student achievement inside the classroom at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES during its annual Senior Awards Night held on June 4 at Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School.
The event included an induction ceremony for National Technical Honor Society and the handing out of Career & Technical Education awards and scholarships.
It was the second year Hewes held its Senior Awards Night separate from its Senior Recognition Ceremony at Chautauqua Institution. Hewes Principal Paul Mihalko said the split was due to “increased enrollment and to simply take some time to celebrate the accomplishments of our students in a smaller setting.”
The evening began with the induction of the following seniors into the Hewes chapter of the National Technical Honor Society: Kaydance Bogert of Clymer, Spencer Carlson of Panama, Brianna Lisciandro of Jamestown, Nicholas Oste of Jamestown, Cormac Popham of Southwestern, and Angel Seeley of Southwestern.
To be considered for NTHS, students need to maintain a 90% average during their junior and senior years and have no more than five absences. Nicole Terry, NTHS advisor at Hewes, said students also need to demonstrate scholastic achievement and skill development in their CTE programs.
“This criteria can be difficult to reach each year,” Terry said. “These six students on stage have risen to the challenge and have met that bar.”
Following the NTHS induction ceremony, Mihalko led the handing out of senior awards and scholarships. Assisting in recognizing the students were Aaron Taylor, CTE counselor, and Alissa Rinaldo, school social worker at Hewes.
Logan Ellsworth of Panama received the Thomas Olivo Leadership Award, named in honor of C. Thomas Olivo, the state Education Department’s vocational director in 1966 when SkillsUSA was established. Ellsworth, who is enrolled in the Information Technology/Computer Systems program, received a $250 scholarship.
Rachel Erskine of Falconer received the Rebecca Ann Capitano Award, presented by Angela Capitano and her father. Erskine is enrolled in the Small Animal Science program.
Sharra Potrzebowski of Chautauqua Lake and Bradley Doud of Falconer received Casella Waste Systems – Power of Hard Work Scholarships, presented by William Devlin and Kevin Lindvay of Casella Waste Systems. Potrzebowski and Doud are both enrolled in the Automotive Technology/Diesel Motor Sports program.
Emily Crawford of Falconer and Hunter Siliano of Jamestown received $50 scholarships for being recipients of the Dru Cole Award. Presented by Brenda Johnson, the award is named in memory of Cole, a consultant teacher who “had a special place in her heart for students who showed resilience in the face of adversity.” Crawford is enrolled in the Small Animal Science program; Siliano is enrolled in Automotive Body Repair.
Aubrey Bentley of Southwestern received the Sally DiPietro Award, presented by Connie Rice. The $200 scholarship is given to a senior enrolled in the Cosmetology program at Hewes and who possesses a strong desire in pursuing a career in the field of Cosmetology.
Gavin Anderson (Valedictorian) of Panama and Dylan Carey (Salutatorian) of Sherman received the Far West Council of School Superintendents Award, which recognizes the top two academically achieving students in each district in Chautauqua County. Anderson, enrolled in the Conservation program, and Carey, enrolled in the IT/CS program, each received a $500 scholarship.
Timathy White of Clymer received the Kip Feinen Memorial Scholarship Award, presented by Jordan Fienen. The $750 award is in memory of Kip Feinen, who served as principal at Hewes. White is enrolled in the Criminal Justice program.
Timathy White of Clymer; Cooper Doud and Rachel Erskine of Falconer; Kennadie (Kennedy) Parke of Frewsburg; Angelo Restivo and Donovan Wilson of Jamestown; Spencer Carlson and Katelyn Schroder of Panama; Nathan Alexander of Southwestern; and Brennan Isaacson, each received a $250 award as part of the Ryan Howard Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Hunter Siliano of Jamestown received the Principal’s Award presented by Mihalko. “Two years ago, I personally challenged this student to rise above the obstacles he faced and to seize the opportunities before him,” Mihalko said. “He met that challenge head-on, demonstrating a remarkable transformation that has inspired many.”
Daniel Dixon of Chautauqua Lake and Rhett Thompson of Bemus Point received $500 scholarships each from Shults Auto Group. Dixon and Thompson are enrolled in the Automotive Technology program.
Donovan Wilson of Jamestown received the SUNY Fredonia President’s Gold Award of Excellence, which was presented by Admissions Counselor Shane Gallivan. Wilson, who is enrolled in the IT/CS program, will receive a $6,000 merit-based scholarship renewable up to four academic years.
Spencer Carlson of Panama and Jayanna Weinert of Jamestown received the Tri-County BOCES Education Association – Citizenship Award. Carlson and Weinert, both enrolled in the Criminal Justice program, each received a $125 scholarship.
Angelo Restivo of Jamestown and Angel Seeley of Southwestern received the Tri-County BOCES Education Association – Leadership Award, which was presented by Nicole Terry. The TBEA Leadership Award is in memory of Catherine “Katie” Gorbett, who was the first president of E2CCB’s teachers union. Restivo is enrolled in Criminal Justice; Seeley is enrolled in Culinary Arts.
Angelo Restivo of Jamestown received the United Support Association Continuing Education Award, which was presented by Alexandria Smith. The award is given to students who are planning to continue their education after graduation. Restivo was awarded a $100 scholarship.
