Nearly 50 students in the Nassau BOCES Intensive Support Program (ISP) — part of the agency’s Adult Education Program — celebrated the completion of their coursework in a safe, socially-distanced ceremony. These students were presented with their certificates of achievement by administrators from the Adult Education Program, which is housed at the Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education Center in Westbury.
The goal of the ISP is to prepare students for employment in their chosen fields. Courses incorporate intensive training in a variety of essential trades, including Automotive Technology, Building Maintenance, Food Service, Pet Care, Stock and Inventory, and Direct Care. Each course includes a component in employability skills training. Job placement specialists work closely with students throughout the semester to arrange appropriate job placement and provide support services.
“Perseverance is the word that comes to mind when I think of this cohort of graduates,” says Brad Slepian, Adult Education Assistant Principal. “This group started their studies right before COVID shut down the Island. Yet they all found their way back, completed their respective courses and are career-ready for jobs in their selected fields. We’re really proud of them.”
Seven students successfully completed the Automotive Technology program: Sebastian Cruz (Westbury), Henry Hey (Merrick), Anthony Mack (Bayside), Jack Maloney (Massapequa), Thomas Prestigiacomo (Farmingdale), Christopher Tsafas (Baldwin) and Dimitrias Xenias (Levittown).
Three students earned certificates in Direct Care: Nicolette Ferrier (Valley Stream), Francesca Ramos (East Meadow) and Kaitlin Selfridge (Massapequa). Five students successfully completed their studies in Food Service: Ty-Shawn Gaines (Uniondale), Zion Hutchinson (Massapequa), Christelle Joseph (Valley Stream), Christopher Leroux (Baldwin) and Wendy Pineda (Hempstead).
Ten students earned ISP certification in Maintenance: Gregory Feil (East Rockaway); Julian Cruz, Jose Estrada and Esdras Flores-Benavides (all from Farmingdale); Dylan Silva (Franklin Square); Sebastian Abreu and Xaivier Hernandez (both from Freeport); Gerard Romaine (Lawrence); Gustavo Guevara (Massapequa); and Matthew Gaudioso (Williston Park).
Eight students earned certificates of completion in the Pet Care program: Ashley Kretzmer (Farmingdale); Rashad Henry (Floral Park); Ethan Bellomo (Hicksville); Kristin Galioto (Massapequa); Courtney Kohn (Roosevelt); Francine Segovia (Valley Stream); Genesis Cortes (Westbury); and Angela Horvatin (Williston Park).
Four students earned ISP certification as porters: Antonio Ulloa (East Rockaway); Kyle Benkert and Nicholas Galante (both from Massapequa); and Cooper Gindele (Merrick).
Nine students successfully completed the Stock and Inventory program: Christian Cardace and Kwesi Jean-Francois (both from Baldwin); Andrea Floriani (Farmingdale); Kylie Sandorfi (Lynbrook); Salvatore Worgul (Merrick); Thomas Glynn (Seaford); Michael Rudolph (Wantagh); Jordan Crawley (Westbury); and Matthew Bakshi (Woodmere).
For more information about all Adult Education programs, visit www.nassauboces.org/adulted.
