The Mountain Eagle

10/10/25

Questar III BOCES Heavy Equipment Students Work on Community Project for the Durham and the Cornwallville FD

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 10/10/25 | 10/10/25

CORNWALLVILLE — Questar III BOCES Heavy Equipment students at Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham are working on a community project for the Town of East Durham and the Cornwallville Fire Department. Presented with an untouched field, students are tasked with building a pond that the department can use for training and to install a dry hydrant, creating roadways, and leveling the piece of land where the new firehouse will be built.

Community projects like this are a win-win. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience on a real job site, while the town fills a need to serve its residents.

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Schoharie Crushes Margaretville

A shot on goal by Schoharie’s Briana Repscher gets past Margaretville defenders and goalkeeper, but goes a little wide. Schoharie would win the game. Photo by Scott Keidong. Much more in B - Schoharie News section.

Schoharie’s Kayla Hayes heads an Evelyn Messner corner kick into the net for another Storm goal. Photos by Scott Keidong.

Margaretville defender Viviana Cordero blocks a Schoharie pass before booting it downfield.

Schoharie goalkeeper Julianna Slater dives for a penalty kick by River Williams that puts Margaretville on the scoreboard.

Schoharie’s Stacy Baez closes in as Margaretville’s Gabby Sines dribbles the ball.

Margaretville defenders Gabby Sines and Taylor Hubbell close in as Schoharie’s Evelyn Messner kicks her fifth goal in Saturday’s game, also her 100th career goal.

Greta Schweigard congratulates Schoharie’s Evelyn Messner just after Messner scored her 100th career goal.

A shot on goal by Schoharie’s Briana Repscher sails just over the net. Repscher scored one for the storm in Saturday’s 10-3 Kyle Sharpe Memorial Tournament victory over the Margaretville Blue Devils.

Schoharie seventh grader Alayna Messner fires off a shot at the goal.

Schoharie’s Evelyn Messner, in ninth grade, scored five goals for the Storm in Saturday’s game, bringing her career total to one hundred.

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Lots of Pep at SCS

SCHOHARIE - School spirit was in focus at last week's Junior High School Pep Rally at Schoharie Central School.

Photos courtesy Schoharie Central School.

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Homeschool Explorers Program Is Back at Middleburgh Library

Xzavier holding up his Fall tree painting while Honor is hard at work on his painting. Xzavier’s mom, Marissa, and Honor’s mom, Renée, are also getting to create art.

Program Assistant, Rebecca Young, overseeing the 3D pen table being enjoyed by Isabella, James & Skye, along with Tiffani, Hunny, & Masan.

Gemma and Wren take a closer look at leaf sizes, colors, and shapes. Rebecca Young collected many unique leaves from her home while preparing for the October Homeschool Explorers theme.

By Heather Skinner

MIDDLEBURGH — On October 2nd, families attended the return of Homeschool Explorers at Middleburgh Library. Patrons from previous years had been excitedly awaiting the program’s return with the school season, while others, like Isabella, James, and Skye, were there for the first time. Isabella said they decided to try it out because they are always interested in library events, new things, and meeting other homeschooling families.

Participants were greeted by Program Assistant, Rebecca Young, then invited to paint a Fall tree, delve into leaf-identifying prompts, and draw with 3D pens.

Each month, Homeschool Explorers discover new learning activities they can work on at their own pace. Young explained that the program’s themes are premised on kids’ interests, but the way homeschoolers spend that hour is left completely up to them.

“It’s really based on multi-age and multi-needs,” said Young. When creating the program, Young took many factors and experiences into account after realizing, “That there really was a need for it to be an open space for everyone.”

Young thoughtfully offers many options that cover several skills at each Homeschool Explorers meetup, noting that all attention spans are different. Young strives to provide activities and crafts that can be accomplished and enjoyed throughout various grade levels, and Young expressed knowing firsthand that more than one kid equals more than one need and more than one emotional requirement.

Kids can try all available activities each month or choose to spend the entirety of the event doing only one of the tasks. Kids are also able to choose not to do any of the projects to prioritize spending time with other kids in the library chatting, playing, and building Legos.

There’s always a new monthly scavenger hunt that kids can complete for a prize as a group activity or independently, and Young explained it is a great alternative for kids to maneuver in the quieter part of the Library if events ever feel too loud or overwhelming.

The Homeschool Explorers program has evolved over the years, starting when Young moved to Schoharie County and wanted to see more secular and public opportunities for homeschoolers and for her own kids. Next it became group meetings purely for socialization. Then during Covid, the Library handed out monthly homeschool mystery boxes that were similar to Kiwi Crate kits and participants were able to share their finished creations amongst each other on a designated Facebook page. Once the Covid lockdown ended, Young said the Homeschool Explorers program as it is today officially started.

Kate and Wren’s first time at Homeschool Explorers garnered an appreciation for access to resources, like 3D pens, that the program provides. Kate pointed out the creativity that went into planning the event’s activities and that made topics fresh and captivating for the kids to learn. Kate assisted Wren with measuring leaves using a ruler and used the opportunity to add in another math concept of estimation. Wren proudly shared a story she came up with about one of the leaves and Gemma, also at the leaf-identifying table, shared that she liked how much freedom there was for creativity within the instruction questions.

Returning Homeschool Explorers, Renée with Honor and Marissa with Xzavior, made Fall tree paintings. Even Young joined in to make a painting and Renée pointed out that adults still love fingerpainting and making art, too. Renée enjoys how homeschooling and attending programs like Homeschool Explorers allow parents to participate in fun learning projects with their kids.

Xzavior put a lot of thought into details of his painting to represent apples and tumbling leaves. Thanks to Xzavior and Marissa sharing their love of the program, it was Tiffani, Hunny, and Masan’s first time at Homeschool Explorers and they got to utilize the 3D pens.

After the Homeschool Explorers hour ends, friends can stay and play in the kids’ room, engage with coloring sheets on tables outside of the kids’ room, and select books to borrow.

When it was time to go, the kids didn’t want the fun to end, but their parents reminded them they will be back again soon for next month’s Homeschool Explorers!

The Schoharie Library also offers a monthly program for homeschoolers called Homeschool Hangout and access to learning resources like their coding robot. Cobleskill Community Library and Sharon Springs Free Library offer a variety of learning and art programs helpful for homeschoolers all year long; check out each library’s Facebook pages and website event calendars for more information.

In addition to Homeschool Explorers, Middleburgh Library’s annual Homeschool Science Fair is already open for registration and will take place on March 21st. Head to the Middleburgh Library website calendar to register your homeschoolers or add it to your schedule so you don’t miss the chance to check out students’ science fair presentations that day from 10AM-12PM.

Middleburgh Library is located at 323 Main Street and has many upcoming events listed on their website for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and all ages to celebrate holidays and participate in recurring programs like Drop-on Storytime, Chair Yoga, and Mahjong. Registration is full for their annual Hogwarts Halloween event, but volunteer opportunities are available.

Each monthly Homeschool Explorers meetup can be individually registered for and Young plans to borrow Mohawk Valley Library System kits to offer future Homeschool Explorers themes that include, “Magna tiles, coding for younger and older kids, Legos, and an art component.”

Young is also working on a Library scavenger hunt that corresponds with details from this year’s Middleburgh Scarecrows displays. A completed scavenger hunt paper will be able to be entered into a drawing where one lucky winner will get a pizza and private Library showing of a movie of your choice for up to 5 people.

And Middleburgh Library is collecting basket donations from businesses and those who want to help support the library in their biggest fundraiser of the year. You can drop off basket raffle donations during their open hours up until the end of October and raffle winners will be drawn on December 17th.

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Homecoming Fun at MCS

MIDDLEBURGH - Lights, music, friends, and lasting memories dominated at the Homecoming Dance at Middleburgh Central School this week. Thank you to everyone who made Homecoming 2025 such a special night.

Photos courtesy Middleburgh Central School.

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Great Turnout for Fall Fest

Gabby Goldswer baked fresh bread in the vintage-style hearth.

Ruey Schell, Nancy Konta, and Marsha Foster from the Peaceable Day Quilt Guild during the sunny day at the Fort Saturday. Photos by Matthew Avitabile.

Schoharie County Historical Society board members Stephanie Rubin-Ruquet and Diane Ericson look on as fellow board member Mark Stolzenburg puts in a ticket for the popular auction.

The Hilltown Ramblers play during Saturday's successful Fall Festival at the Old Stone Fort Saturday. Also playing that day were Northern Borne and Black Mountain Symphony.

The Fort's Clay Edmunds and Mike Breglia (who dressed to impress) during the Saturday event.

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SCS Students Help Out Local Food Bank

SCHOHARIE - On Monday, members of the Schoharie Central School Student Government volunteered once again at the Regional Food Bank in Latham to help those in need this fall. This was an important community service opportunity for the students.

Photo courtesy Schoharie Central School.

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October is National Careers in Construction Month at BOCES

ALBANY/SCHOHARIE — Nearly 1 million workers are needed in the construction industry by the end of 2026, making now the best time in recent history for those considering making a living in construction.

For students in the Capital Region, the BOCES Career and Technical Education Center offers eight different programs from which they could lay the foundation for a great career in construction. Programs include Building Trades, Carpentry, Electrical Trades, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO), Plumbing Trades, Network Technology and Welding and Metal Fabrication.

Enrollment in these programs continues to rise with more than 400 high school students from more than 24 area school districts in registered for those eight programs. This underscores a greater trend of students and their families realizing the value of skilled trades and, correspondingly, BOCES partners realizing the value of its program and students.

“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.

More than two-dozen students who took part in the National Signing Day celebration at Capital Region BOCES last school year were entering the construction industry.

Among them was Braeden All, who graduated in June from the Building Trades program.

“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 the Middleburgh alumni.

Fellow 2025 graduate Samantha Herzog echoed those sentiments.

“I really enjoy all of the different activities we do and how we learn to operate so many different pieces of equipment,” said Samantha Herzog, a HERO program graduate from Schoharie who has joined the Laborers’ 157 Union and been hired by Murnane Building Contractors Inc. “I feel well prepared for a career thanks to BOCES.”

Nearly 100 area businesses and institutions regularly collaborate with Capital Region BOCES to build the future of the construction industry in the Capital Region and beyond. Their support is crucial not only to student success, but also to the future of the construction industry.

These include partners such as Associated General Contractors of New York State, National Grid, BBL Construction Services, Finke Equipment Co., STS Steel, Milton CAT, Abele Tractor & Equipment Co., Kamco Supply New England and Penske Corp.

”These partnerships are critical because they allow us to stay on top of what is going on in the industry,” said Nancy Liddle, Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships. “They also help to place students in good jobs that help grow the regional economy and overcome national unemployment trends.”

Business representatives agree.

Jeff Knox, CEO of Bill Lake Modular Home, works with students in the Building Trades program.

“We need people like this in our industry. The industry is desperate for people with these skills,” he said.

Scott Nadeau, an Organizer for UA Local 7, Plumbers and Steamfitters union, said “BOCES is a valuable partner for us. They provide us with students who are interested in the trades, who want to learn and work, and who have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the trades.”

Chloe Yonos, of MLB Construction, echoed those sentiments.

“We are always looking for ways to support the skilled trades. Workforce development is a big issue for us, so any way we can get in front of students and talk about the outstanding careers that exist is a bonus for us,” she said.

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors Association, the construction industry will need to bring in more than 501,000 new workers on top of normal hiring this year to meet industry demand and another 454,000 workers on top of normal hiring in 2025, and that’s presuming that construction spending growth slows significantly.

Capital Region BOCES provides students with pathways to great careers in the construction industry through programming in areas such electrical trades, heavy equipment, building trades, network technology, carpentry, welding, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.

Enrollment in the eight construction-related programs on the high-school level continues to rise. This underscores a greater trend of students and their families realizing the value of skilled trades.

Among the students enrolled is Nathan Micelli, an Electrical Trades senior from Niskayuna.

“I really like that you have an immediate reward for your work. You wire something, turn the lights on and can sit back and say, ‘I made that happen’,” he said.

Azrael Lozano of Voorheesvillle is pursuing a career in plumbing.

"I want to get into a skilled trade. I was thinking of doing electrical, but I thought more about the work and the money and chose plumbing," he said.

Nearly all Capital Region BOCES programs provide students with professional certifications, many of which are recognized nationwide by contractors and employers. Many of the adult programs boast a 100% career placement.

“The construction industry offers exciting, interesting and rewarding careers—with or without an advanced degree,” said Associated General Contractors New York State CEO and President Michael J. Elmendorf II. “Quite literally, our industry and the individuals who make it work, build New York state. From buildings to bridges and even iconic places like Yankee Stadium or facilities at the Saratoga Racetrack, our members - many of whom are Capital Region BOCES graduates - can proudly say, ‘I built that.’”