2024 Student Highlights
“Working with engines has taught me to grow my patience and use my brain to figure things out. That also applies to many other things,” says Maya Wiskosky, a junior at Whitehall High School who is in the PowerSports Technology Program.
Maya was a student ambassador in the Women in Trades event at the Southern Adirondack Education Center in December 2023. She helped her instructor Mr. Winch show other young women what the class was all about. They pulled apart Briggs and Stratton motors and learned to put them back together again.
“I saw all their faces were just like mine when I first came here. I thought ‘what do I do?’ I was so nervous and so scared. I wanted to teach them in a way that they would understand,’ says Maya.
She says she would love to start a Women in Trades club at her homeschool.
“It’s really empowering and I feel like every girl deserves to feel that no matter what they do they are supported,” says Maya.
Maya will compete in public speaking at SkillsUSA. The theme is ‘no limits’. Many people doubt themselves. That can affect their mental health. She plans to emphasize that if you visualize success, it can be attained.
“I strongly believe you can do whatever you want. You just have to work hard,” says Maya.
Maya says she would like to continue in the trades. She would like to empower and teach women. She enjoys how the class simulates working in a real shop, fixing engines, taking orders and cataloging parts.
Spotlight on Makenzie LeBarron
Makenzie LeBarron, a senior at Cambridge High School became interested in the Environmental Conservation & Forestry Program because both of her sisters graduated from the program. She said they would come home and talk about it and said how much they enjoyed it. She likes the hands-on learning the program provides and has found that she loves running equipment.
“We run the dozer. We have the sawmill and the wood chipper. I enjoy running the dozer. The sawmill is also really fun,’ says Makenzie.
In the Environmental Conservation & Forestry Program students learn to operate a variety of equipment and are eligible to obtain their Class B Commercial Drivers License.
Mackenzie has competed in FFA competitions and SkillsUSA. She says “it shows you how real life is.”
Although there are more males in her class than females, she says it doesn’t really bother her. “I don’t think it’s intimidating at all.”
Her advice to other young women is: “don’t be afraid of the guys being in the class. You can do as much as a guy can do.”
“I say if you want to do something, stick to it, especially if it’s something that you’re going to enjoy. If you’re not 100% positive, that is ok,” she adds. Mackenzie is currently exploring internships.
“I want to go into the workforce, probably do construction and run equipment. IIf I go into construction I want to run a dozer and to learn how to operate an excavator,” says Mackenzie.
That sounds like a great plan.
Spotlight on Amelia Shattuck
“I decided to start the construction program because I like to build things. I thought it would be really interesting. Going to BOCES was a good option. It will help me to get into the field I want to be in when I am older,” says Amelia Shattuck, a junior at Queensbury High School who is in the Construction Trades Program.
Amelia learned about BOCES through her brother and cousin who both attended Career and Technical Education programs. She came to an open house and visited a number of different classrooms to see which one she liked best. She was drawn to construction because she liked the tools people worked with.
“We built a shed and now we’re going to start working on a tiny home. We’ve learned about all the different tools and how to safely use them. We are also working on our OSHA certifications,” says Amelia.
Amelia says the instructor, Mr. Coffinger, is very helpful. Being the only female in the class was a bit daunting at first. But she says, “the guys opened up and now I’m friends with a lot of them.”
“I now have a general knowledge about how to fix things around my house," she added.
When asked about what advice she would give other female students who were considering getting into the trades, Amelia said, “I think they should definitely try it.”
Amelia learned that being flexible and having good communications skills are very important on a job site. She was part of the team that built the shed for the SoBro Conservancy, which is a non-profit organization that promotes re-greening urban landscapes.
Spotlight on Cali Haines
Cali Haines, a junior at South Glens Falls High School in the Automotive Technology Program, says she found cars and racing interesting since her grandfather is in the car business. She came for a tour at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in 10th grade and things seemed to click. Her instructor, Mr. Piscatelli showed her around and answered all of her questions. With some encouragement from her grandfather, she decided to give the program a try and has been enjoying it.
“I’ve always been the type of person to want to find a hobby. I found cars and racing interesting. When I decided on this program, my grandfather told me he would help me to understand more of the mechanics.”
That assistance has gone a long way. Now she is on a career path.
“It was just something that I really really wanted to do. And it's a great career. It’s something I found so young that I know I’m going to love it even when I’m growing up.”
Cali says that she feels supported. She has learned to change tires, change the oil, done calipers, pistons and more. She also says size doesn’t matter. A lot of people think that females might have a hard time in the trades, especially with lifting. She says it doesn’t matter if she can’t lift a 300 lb engine. She has tools to help her lift things.
Her advice to other young women who are interested in the automotive industry is to just give it a chance.
“You’re strong and you’re great at so many different things. At the end of the day, it's great that you tried it and that you can tell people that you did it. It is good to do it because then you’ll see the outcome and you’ll see how good and far you got with one little step.”
After graduation, Cali sees herself racing. She says she wants to travel and have adventures. She wants to go to college and study the business of trades.
“I would like to see if I can start my own racing business or race myself. I know it’s going to take a while, but I’m going to do the best I can. I want to be the one behind the wheel. I think that would be really really cool.”
Spotlight on Isabelle Edmond
“When I was a first year student last year, I was very worried about what I was doing. Luckily, I had a few seniors last year who helped me out,” says Isabelle Edmond, a senior at Mechanicville High School who is in the Environmental Conservation & Forestry Program.
Isabelle says she was grateful for the other female senior students who took her under their wing. Isabelle says her confidence has grown. Now she has become an advocate for other young women.
“I want to be that person to step up and help them out like someone did last year for me,” says Isabelle.
Isabelle is now working on getting a Class A Commercial Driver's License. This is no small feat. In 2022, New York State law changed to allow 18 year olds the ability to obtain a Class A CDL (combination vehicles, truck and trailer over 26,001 lbs). To qualify for the Class A license in WSWHE BOCES CTE programs under the new law, candidates (under 21) must complete the driver training provided at BOCES and they must also complete 300 hours of driver training with a company performing "live" work.
Isabelle is also working on getting a few more certifications, such as rescue. She plans to go to college after high school, but one with outdoor classrooms. She enjoys maple tapping and the fisheries unit her class has done.
Isabelle’s favorite part of the Environmental Conservation & Forestry Program has been tree climbing. She loves using the rope and trying to see if she can lift up a chainsaw. She also enjoys tree identification.
Her advice to young women who are considering the trades: “don’t let anyone stop you. If you ever need help you can always ask. But stand up for yourself too.”
Isabelle has competed at FFA. She is also a SkillsUSA delegate and is participating on the American Spirit team which does a number of community service projects.