The Hewes Educational Center celebrated its Class of 2026 during its Senior Recognition Ceremony on June 11 at Chautauqua Institution, honoring student achievement, staff dedication, and years of Career & Technical Education success through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
Principal Paul Mihalko welcomed students, families, staff, and guests, recognizing the broad network of support that surrounds each graduate. He acknowledged office assistants and administrators, consultant teachers, academic liaisons, teaching assistants, school resource officers, nurses, and CTE instructors for their daily commitment to students.
“Last, but certainly not least, the parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, mentors, and friends who support the seniors that sit before you today,” Mihalko said.
For more photos from Hewes’ Senior Recognition Ceremony, click here.
The ceremony also highlighted the accomplishments of senior CTE students, including more than $100,000 in scholarships and awards earned this year. Mihalko noted that over 30 scholarships and recognitions were presented during Senior Awards Night held June 3 at Panama Central School.
A total of 178 seniors were recognized at the ceremony. Mihalko reflected on their decision to commit to Career & Technical Education more than two years ago, emphasizing the long-term value of the skills and experiences they have gained.
“Regardless of what they decide to do from this point forward, they will use their life skills and their CTE program experiences far into the future,” he said.
The ceremony also included recognition of retiring staff members whose years of service left a lasting impact on the Hewes community. Honorees included Chris O’Brien, who served 23 years with the organization — three in Adult Education and 20 as a construction teacher in CTE; Rebecca Jordan, who dedicated 27 years and six months as a school nurse assistant at Hewes; Kathleen Collver, ACE instructor with 29 years of service; and Todd Wissman, ACE instructor with 25 years of service.
In closing, Mihalko underscored the importance of Career & Technical Education in preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce.
“As industries evolve, new technologies will emerge, and job requirements change,” he said. “There is an increasing demand for a skilled workforce that must change with these changes and demands. You are now prepared to evolve and be successful in whatever you decide to do.”
He encouraged graduates to carry forward the lessons learned at Hewes beyond the classroom.
“Life doesn’t get easier; you learn how to handle things better as life goes on,” he said. “Your experience at the Hewes Center was not just about your ability to perform tasks for a particular trade, it was about getting you ready for what lies ahead in life. Enjoy that life, we only go around once.”
