ALBANY - The annual Capital Region BOCES National Signing Day was a success with 40 high school students signing letters of intent and a crowd of more than 150 business, family, labor and education supporters watching.
During a ceremony on Thursday at the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center – Albany Campus, dignitaries celebrated the students as well as the valuable role BOCES plays in preparing students to become contributing members of society and the workforce.
“The work done here at BOCES and CTE is amazing. It … puts students on the road to great success,” said Brian Williams, Executive Director, Capital Region Workforce Development Board.
He went on to say that Signing Day highlighted the “indisputable proof of the success of partnership in fueling the essential workforce pipeline.”
The Capital Region BOCES event was affiliated with the SkillsUSA National Signing Day, which mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college. It is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and to celebrate the dignity of work.
Among those speaking at the event were Jeff Palmer, Director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES who thanked the partners, parents and educators on hand.
“Through your unwavering support, your child has reached this milestone,” he told parents, while praising the business and labor partners for “opening your doors to our students and helping bridge the gap between school and the workforce.”
Students praised their programs, teachers and the overall “BOCES experience.”
“When I first walked into this program, I wasn’t sure where I was headed. Now, I’m walking out with purpose, pride, and a clear direction. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way,” said Braeden All, a Building Trades senior from Middleburgh who signed a letter of intent with the Laborers’ Local 157 and Tri-City Scaffold Co. Inc.
Students, such as Samantha Herzog, a Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) senior, said the Signing Day event marked a significant milestone in their lives.
“From the moment I climbed into a Bobcat at six years old, I knew I had found something special. That excitement turned into a passion—and thanks to the HERO program, it’s become a career path,” she said.
“Over the past two years, I’ve gained hands-on experience with heavy machinery, built technical knowledge, and earned certifications in OSHA 10, Dig Safe NY, and forklift operation. As the only female in a class of 23, I’ve also learned to stand tall, stay resilient, and take pride in breaking barriers. I will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma—and more importantly, a clear vision of my future,” said Herzog, who is signing with Laborers’ 157 and Murnane Building Contractors Inc.
Some local students who signed letters of intent, their programs, home school districts and future employers are as follows:
Braeden All, Building Trades, Middleburgh C.S.D., Laborers’ Local 157,
Tri-City Scaffold Co. Inc.
Joe Berbue, Automotive Trades Technology, Cobleskill-Richmondville C.S.D., Keeler Motor Car Company
Braydon Brown, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Middleburgh C.S.D., Laborers’ Local 157, MLB Construction Services
Dominick Catalano, Building Trades, Middleburgh C.S.D., UA Local 7 Plumbers & Steamfitters, John W. Danforth Company
Jacob Cross, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Schoharie C.S.D., Laborers’ Local 157, Jersen Construction Group
Derrick Fuller, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Middleburgh C.S.D., Laborers’ Local 157, LeChase Construction Services
Samantha Herzog, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Schoharie C.S.D., Laborers’ 157, Murnane Building Contractors Inc.
Dalton Porter, Building Trades, Middleburgh C.S.D., Carpenter’s Local #291,
LeChase Construction Services, LLC
Connor Prokop, Building Trades, Middleburgh C.S.D., UA Local 7 Plumbers & Steamfitters, Upstate Piping Products
Eleeka Rabine, Building Trades, Cobleskill-Richmonville C.S.D., Painters, Tapers & Glaziers Local Union No. 201
Cameron Simeon, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Middleburgh C.S.D., Laborers Local 157, M. Sullivan Construction Inc.
Jacob Soucia, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation, Cobleskill-Richmondville C.S.D., Laborers’ Local 157, D.A. Collins Companies
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