Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Welding students signed letters of intent for full-time work in their career field with local businesses and the military during Nassau BOCES first Career Signing Day. From left, Matthew Cohen, Tee Pee Signs, Hempstead; Frank DeTrano, U.S. Marine Corps and William Arnold, Curtiss Wright, Farmingdale. Nassau BOCES Board President Susan Bergtraum; Deputy Superintendent James Widmer; Associate Director, Department of Regional Schools and Instructional Programs Judith Hynes along with Barry Tech alumnus Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino were on hand for the event.

Twenty-nine Barry Tech and GC Tech students were acknowledged for taking the next major step in their professional lives by committing to jobs in their chosen fields of study or a military career during the agency’s first Career Signing Day. Twenty-one of the seniors from across Long Island schools will enter full-time work and 8 will begin careers in the military.  

“This special milestone for the students comes as education in the trades has seen a renewed importance in recent years,” said Judith Hynes, Associate Director, Nassau BOCES Department of Regional Schools and Instructional Programs. “Students who have undergone career training during their high school years see higher employment rates after graduation as well as a higher median income, according to the U.S. Department of Education.”

The event mirrors 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. 

The special event was the culmination of years of study and hard work for the students, who have been training in various trade fields such as automotive, welding, cosmetology, aviation, HVAC and plumbing, and more. Representatives from local industry partners who hired the students joined the celebration to welcome their newest employees, as well as those from the U.S. Army, Marine, National Guard and Navy. Many of the students have already been interning at the firms, to receive first-hand experience in their chosen career fields. Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor and Barry Tech alumnus Joseph Saladino, a big BOCES supporter offered a few words and presented the administration with a citation as well as each student, to mark the occasion.  

“You’ve gotten a phenomenal start here with teachers who truly care, exceptionally motivated people. Administrators who paved the way and folks like me who will always be here to support the fabulous educational efforts and opportunities that are BOCES,” said Supervisor Saladino.

Through Nassau BOCES, these students have not only had the opportunity to earn a multifaceted education in their chosen fields, but have been able to make the connections required for a fruitful career after graduation.  

“I’ve trained about 15 other students from all the major trade schools in the tri-state area in the past four years and I’m always blown away by the quality of work in the students from Nassau BOCES,” said Greg Lewis of Audi Lynbrook.

Here’s a list of the students, their company/military branch, Nassau BOCES CTE program and home school district.

Owen Angel
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Automotive Technology
Valley Stream CHSD
Audi Lynbrook

William Arnold
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Welding
Massapequa UFSD
Curtiss Wright, Farmingdale

Jessica Baranello
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Massapequa UFSD
Beyond Beaute, Massapequa

Justin  Barwick
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech HVAC/Plumbing
Carle Place UFSD
Citywide Sewer Drain & Plumbing

Cristofer Cardoza
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Aviation
Glen Cove City SD
U. S. Navy

Alexis  Celano           
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
East Meadow UFSD
Metro Mode Salon, East Meadow

Matthew Cohen
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Welding
Hicksville UFSD
Tee Pee Signs, Hempstead

Darren Cowie
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Automotive Technology
Hempstead UFSD
Independent Equipment, Freeport

Frank DeTrano
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Welding
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD
U. S. Marine Corps                                  

Genevieve D'Amico
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Bethpage UFSD
Anthony DeFranco Salon, Bethpage                                  

Giavanna Gatterdam
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Wantagh UFSD
Platinum Hair and Color Salon, Wantagh

Jason Goetz
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech HVAC/Plumbing
East Meadow UFSD
U.S. Marine Corps

Penelope Herman
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Hewlett-Woodmere UFSD
Ambiance Salon, Hewlett

Carlos Herrera
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Automotive Technology
Westbury UFSD
U.S. Army                                                           

Maher Jaghab
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Auto Collision
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD
First Class Collision, Westbury                                               

Kerrisha Jean
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Physical Therapy Aide
Hewlett-Woodmere UFSD
U.S. Army Reserves

Nabil Khan
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Culinary Arts
East Meadow UFSD
U.S. National Guard

Kyriana Loiacono
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Levittown UFSD
Gloss NY Salon, Levittown                                               

Evan Lynch
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech HVAC/Plumbing
Oceanside UFSD
Montemarano Plumbing & Heating, Rockville Centre                                   

Anthony McNamara
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Automotive Technology
Levittown UFSD
Metro Tire Wholesale, Levittown                                               

Sean McGowan
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Power Sports and Engine Repair
East Meadow UFSD
Independent Equipment, Westbury

Bradley Nanoo
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Construction Electricity
Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD
Absolute Electric Construction and Design, Plainview\

Charles Newberg
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Automotive Technology
Herricks UFSD
Triple P Auto Service, Mineola                                   

Jenna Reill
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Cosmetology
Plainedge UFSD
Beautique Salon, Plainedge

Bryan Salgado
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Aviation
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD
U. S. Navy                                               

Eldad Sanandaji
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Culinary Arts
Great Neck UFSD
Plandome Country Club, Plandome                                               

Gino Stamatelo
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Construction Electricity
Levittown UFSD
Stone Electric, Levittown

Walter Vasquez
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech In-district Barbering Program
Baldwin UFSD
U.S. Navy

Danis Ventura
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Auto Collision
Hempstead UFSD
Thrift-Way Auto Body, Hempstead

Here is a gallery from the event