Sabrina Doty (center, with her two young sons) was recently named "Student of the Year" by the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education at a ceremony in Albany. Doty was among 25 adult education students from across the state to receive the honor.

According to a nominating letter written by Debra Harrington, adult training and development specialist, Doty enrolled in the GST BOCES External Diploma Program in January 2010 as a single parent. She had left high school to have her first child and worked as a waitress, but wanted more for her family. While working on her diploma, Doty also enrolled in the BOCES adult cosmetology program. In August 2011, she received her high school diploma, became a certified cosmetologist and was employed by New Dimensions Salon in Elmira.

"Without the opportunities and funding I received through BOCES, I never, ever would have been here. BOCES definitely helped me complete my goals," Sabrina said.

In this photo, from left to right are Sabrina's father, Glen Doty, friend Rita Clark, NYS Senator Tom O'Mara, Sabrina with her two sons, her fiancé David Fesetch, Debra Harrington, NYS Assemblyman Christopher Friend and Robin DeLong, literacy specialist.

The annual Coopers Education Center Flower and Plant Sale is May 18-19 at the greenhouse near Building #9 in Coopers Plains. On Friday, May 18, the sale will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Saturday, May 19, the sale will be from 8 a.m. through 2 p.m.

On sale will be assorted color geraniums, petunias, vincas, vines and spikes in four-inch pots for $3 each. Also on sale will be six-packs of marigolds, cascading petunias, pansies, sweet peppers and two kinds of tomatoes for $2. Hanging baskets are $20. In addition there are cemetery urns with geranium blends for $30, and potted tomatoes for $15. All prices include tax.

The annual sale is a benefit for the SkillsUSA club, a student leadership group that allows students to compete regionally with other BOCES Career and Educational Program students.

Culinary Arts students in Karen Mecum's class on the Bush Campus in Elmira prepared their dishes for the New York State ProStart Culinary Competition, held on March 23-24 in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

"The students competed very well. They did an exquisite job," said Mecum. "The experience of working with chefs from all over the state was a great learning opportunity. It also gave them a chance to network. Scouts from many of big-name culinary colleges were there."

ProStart gives students a chance to show off their culinary and management skills and compete for a spot in the National Invitational. Participants compete for scholarships, trophies and bragging rights in culinary and restaurant management events.

Culinary Arts is a popular CTE program offered at all three GST BOCES campuses. Students learn all aspects of food service, from cooking and baking to restaurant operations and management. Students are prepared for either a food service career right out of high school, or to get a jump start in college in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Hotel-Restaurant Management and Food Service Management careers.

A junior from GST BOCES Broad Horizons program on the Bush campus sorts daffodils for delivery to staff. This was part of the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser held throughout the community, as well as at GST BOCES. Cathy Pelchar, LCSW-R, a school social worker with Broad Horizons, is the staff person who organized the annual ACS fundraiser each year at Bush, as well as at the Broad Street Central Business Office. She volunteered to have Broad Horizons students sort and deliver the daffodils. This year, BOCES staff helped raise $640 for the American Cancer Society.

Pelchar learned from the ACS that this was the last year of its traditional daffodil fundraising campaign. The agency decided that sales have declined as expenses have risen. For that reason, the agency decided to focus its fundraising efforts on its Relay for Life event and other community activities.

"This project gave my students the experience of volunteering their time and effort for a cause," Pelchar said. "It was a lesson in making someone's day a little brighter, even when things seemed rather dim. Those daffodils were definitely a symbol of life."

The annual Spring Plant Sale began on May 7 in the greenhouse of Building #3 on the Bush Campus in Elmira. This sale features plants, flowers and vegetables at very reasonable prices, grown by students in the CTE Conservation program. Plants are on sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. This annual event is a fundraiser for the SCT Future Conservationists FFA Chapter.

The greenhouse is loaded with 10- and 12-inch hanging baskets perfect for Mother's Day gifts or for any occasion. In addition, there are potted geraniums, petunias, spikes and vinca, as well as many healthy tomato and pepper plants, sold in packs of six or flats of 24.

"I encourage people to come get your hanging baskets soon before they sell out," said Matt Bryant, Conservation teacher. The plant sale continues through May or until the plants are all sold.

Conservation is one of more than 20 CTE programs at GST BOCES. This program is offered at the Bush Campus only. Conservation students learn to operate heavy equipment such as backhoes and excavators, learn about wildlife, land management and aquaculture and gain leadership skills through FFA activities.

Juniors in the Bush Campus Cosmetology program recently provided hair and makeup services for the Thomas A. Edison High School performance of "The Wizard of Oz." The students applied silver makeup to the skin for the Tin Man, elaborate fur and hair to the Lion, beautiful makeup and hair for Dorothy and Glenda and green severe makeup for the Wicked Witch of the West.

"The students had a fun time in a fast-paced learning experience," said Cosmetology Instructor Jennifer Wacenske.

The Cosmetology students, who are accumulating credit hours in order to meet state licensing requirements, received an extra 20-30 hours for their work.

"It was a 'real' experience working with different textures of hair and gaining more knowledge of skin types," said one student.

Cosmetology is a two-year high school CTE program offered at all three GST BOCES campuses. Students learn all aspects of hair care, hair cutting, coloring, nails, skin and related services. Students gather 1,000 hours of instruction and are ready to step into a licensed career after graduation. A similar program also is offered to adults through GST BOCES Adult Education and Training.

Four BOCES graduates were recently inducted in the GST BOCES CTE Advisory Council Hall of Fame.

In this photo, left to right, are three of the four honorees -- Roger Reep, LuAnn Semski and Jessica Mawhir. Missing from the photo is Emily Hurd. This photo is provided courtesy of Tom Mike.

Roger Reep is the Building Construction teacher at the Coopers Campus who graduated from the same program. LuAnn Semski graduated from the Dental Assisting program at the Bush Campus and is now a teaching assistant there. Jessica Mawhir graduated from the Cosmetology program at the Bush Campus and now owns the Carpe Diem Salon with her mother in Elmira. Emily Hurd attended the New Visions Health Exploration program at the Wildwood Campus and is now a registered nurse in Greece, N.Y.

The Hall of Fame recognizes the personal achievements of former GST BOCES students who demonstrate an understandable connection between their BOCES experience and career choice achievements. Anyone who has successfully completed an Adult Education, Alternative High School or Career and Technical Education program is eligible for the Hall of Fame. Inductees are selected annually by the CTE Advisory Council, which is made up of business and community leaders.

High school students enrolled in the Bush Campus Cosmetology classes are now ready for their clinical practice in hair styling and related skin and nail beauty services.

First-year Cosmetology students offer clients free or inexpensive hair cuts or perms on Fridays at 9 a.m. or noon when school is in session.

Clients looking for more extensive services from high school seniors can get services at 9 a.m. or noon on Mondays or Thursdays when school is in session. Services include haircuts ($8), shampoo and style ($5), perms ($25 and up), eyebrow wax ($5), highlights ($30 and up), color ($18 and up) and facials ($5).

Appointments are open to the public. To schedule an appointment, call (607) 739-3581 ext. 1123 during school hours. The Cosmetology classroom is located in Building #12 at the Bush Campus.

Cosmetology is one of more than 20 Career and Technical Education programs offered at GST BOCES. This popular program is offered at all three campuses.

Adult Education and Training also offers a Cosmetology program to adults on weekday evenings. For more information about evening appointments, click here or call 739-3581, ext. 1343 or 1123, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.