It’s no secret that students enrolled in Career & Technical Education programs at the Ormsby Educational Center had a successful year. The proof is in the numbers.
Principal Laura Sokol-Scott proudly relayed numerous highlights from the 2024-25 school year during Ormsby’s Senior Recognition ceremony held June 12 at East Aurora High School.
She said 216 students through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES took part in an internship during their senior year; 45% of those internships resulted in some form of employment offer, either full-time, part-time, or seasonal.
This year, students in the Cosmetology program participated in a Bald for Bucks event in Orchard Park; more than 500 people were served with the help of Culinary Arts students during Ormsby’s annual fall Open House; and over 30 regular clients, including 160 dogs, were seen by students in the Small Animal Science programs, among many other accomplishments.
Sokol-Scott noted that graduating seniors planned to attend 28 different colleges and universities. To help offset some of those costs, the class received a total of $2.6 million in scholarship offers.
“The work of these young people has not gone unnoticed, and I want to congratulate them first on these achievements,” Sokol-Scott said.
The principal, with the help of consultant teacher Ed Stenzel, also highlighted two business partners that have assisted Ormsby with student internships and job opportunities. Recognized were Astronics of East Aurora and the Iroquois Central School District.
Afterward, Dr. David O’Rourke, E2CCB District Superintendent, took a moment to acknowledge retiring faculty and staff.
“These are the people who have helped shape the school community our students were a part of, and everyone has an important role to play,” O’Rourke said. “These individuals have served their roles well, and we wish them nothing but the best in retirement.”
The following were recognized: Mary Anstett, typist, with 13 years of service; Cheryl Russell, Cosmetology instructor, with 19 years of service; Ed Stenzel, consultant teacher, with 39 years of service; and Philip Verratti, Diesel/Power Technology instructor, with 29 years of service.
Jodie Cormier, CTE counselor at Ormsby, oversaw the distribution of scholarships and awards to graduating seniors.
Matthew Juda of Orchard Park and Jordan Szafranski of Holland received the Jamie Heater Scholarship Award. The scholarship is awarded to one male and one female student in the Conservation program who embody the same “strength, drive, and love” that Heater brought to Ormsby.
Kylie Gawronski and Justin Uebelhoer, both of Iroquois, received the Kiwanis Club of Elma Scholarship.
Ryan Baranowski of Holland, Nathan Conner of Springville, and Finnin Carney and Jocelyn Litwiniak of East Aurora received the Southern Erie County Counselors Association Scholarship. The award is given to students who embody “tolerance, understanding, patience, acceptance, and compassion.”
Leah Hyman of Holland received the Robert Guiffreda Scholarship. The award is named after Guiffreda, former E2CCB District Superintendent and beloved educator and advocate for children.
Alex Kuhn of East Aurora received the United Support Association Award. The scholarship is given to students who plan to continue their education and are considered based on activities and work experience.
Megan Lux of Orchard Park received the Orchard Park All-Class Reunion Scholarship. The award is available to students who plan to enter the skills trades.
Daniel Kingston of Iroquois and Nathaniel Greene of Orchard Park received the Kiwanis Foundation/Aktion Club of East Aurora Scholarship. The award recognizes hard work, dedication, character, behavior, compassion, and service to others within the classroom and community.
Ashlyn Bush of Iroquois received the American Legion Riders Scholarship. The award is given to a student who is related to an active serving or veteran of the Armed Forces, is enrolled in college, has participated in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, and has volunteered for community service.
Grace Thelen of Orchard Park and Danika Westbrook of Springville received the American Red Cross Scholarship.
Ariana Butera of Iroquois received the Marilla Kiwanis Award.
Delorah Mast of Orchard Park and Finley McArdle of East Aurora received the Tri-County BOCES Leadership Memorial Award. The award recognizes outstanding students based on concern for others, ability to keep a positive attitude, and the exceptional ability to get along with others.
Daniella Diaz of Orchard Park received the Richard Lagowski Award. It was established by Ormsby in memory of Rich Lagowski, a longtime Construction Technology teacher.
Rachel Cappello of Orchard Park received the Tri-County BOCES Education Association Scholarship Award for Children of Association Members. It is available to students who embody hard work and dedication, show outstanding character, provide service to the community, and have the intention to pursue education beyond high school.
Brayden Fountain of Iroquois received the Volkswagen Club of WNY Award. The scholarship is provided to a student who plans to continue in the field of Automotive Technology.
Caleb Pixley of Iroquois received the Michael Murphy Award. The scholarship is given to a student who exemplifies the traits that Murphy, a former CADD teacher, demonstrated.
Jenna Fishlock of Holland received the Robert H. Brooks Memorial Award. It is given each year to an outstanding Health Careers student and is named in memory of Brooks, “a man dedicated to the promotion of education in general and vocational education in particular.”
Rebecca Maldonado of Holland received the Timberwolf Award. The scholarship was developed to honor a student who exemplifies great overall qualities at Ormsby.
Sofia LaDuca of Orchard Park received the Criminal Justice Achievement Scholarship.
Matthew Patterson of Orchard Park received the Sports Conditioning Senior Award.
Danika Westbrook of Springville received the NTHS John H. Poteat Scholarship. The award is given to 250 students nationally each year based on a student’s ability to consistently exemplify the seven attributes of NTHS.
Grace Thelen of Orchard Park received the Thomas J. Huebert Scholarship. The award was established by Huebert, a former principal at Ormsby, in 2022 and is given to an outstanding senior who plans to continue in the skills trades, either in postsecondary or employment upon graduation from Ormsby.
Leah Hyman of Holland received the Wallace D. Ormsby Award. The award recognizes a student who exemplifies the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of Wallace D. Ormsby.
