At Southern Westchester BOCES, students from across districts are proving that education doesn’t have to solely happen at a desk. Whether they’re fixing engines, performing CPR, or directing films, these students are getting practical skills and excelling in the SkillsUSA competition while doing it.
Recently, four students at Southern Westchester BOCES competed in and won the local SkillsUSA competition and moved on to the state level.
The competition is the largest showcase of career and technical education in the country. Industry and trade experts judge the competition to make sure students are learning the real-world skills employers demand, its website says.
If any of the students place first at states, they will go to the national SkillsUSA championships, where more than 6,000 students compete.
There are over 100 skills and leadership events in which students can take part. At Southern Westchester BOCES, four students prepared for months to compete in the competition.
All four — Luke Ambrogio, Louisa Mae Salvador, Nahdi Naheem, and Logan Pierre — won their local skills competition.
“Logan, Luke, and Nadhi are all going to states and Louisa is actually running for a state officer position for the SkillsUSA competition,” says Jaclyn De Lao, the principal at Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services.
Louisa Mae Salvador, Rye City School District – EMS
For Rye High School junior Louisa Mae Salvador, joining the EMS program at BOCES was a no-brainer.
“I took a tour at BOCES and I knew I would enjoy doing practical work,” Salvador says. “I thought this program would help me explore career options in the future.”
Salvador recently competed in an EMS and CPR skills competition during which she was tested on her ability to handle situations like a first responder.
“I had a lot of confidence in my CPR skills and ventilating, but I just didn’t know how I was going to perform in front of an audience,” she shares.
Having a partner by her side helped ease her nerves, and the competition gave her greater confidence in her skills.
“I realized that I’m able to perform skills in real time, and that was great,” she explains.
Salvador says if people are interested in BOCES, they should definitely take the opportunity to go. For her, it’s the closest thing to work experience she can get in a school setting, she notes. She also enjoys meeting and making friends with students from other school districts.
Nahdi Naheem, New Rochelle City School District – Automotive Technology
Nahdi Naheem, a senior from New Rochelle, has been fascinated by cars since he was a kid.
“I’ve been working on cars since I was 12 years old,” he says. “A few of my friends went to BOCES and it always seemed really cool, so I signed up for the course right away.”
In the automotive technology competition, Naheem was up at 6:30 a.m. measuring brake calipers, identifying parts, and answering technical questions from owners’ manuals. The written portion proved challenging, but the hands-on work played to his strengths.
“I was nervous going into the competition because I didn’t know what to expect,” he says. “But once I found out I got first place, it gave me the confidence boost I needed and now I’m less worried about states.”
Luke Ambrogio, Eastchester School District – Automotive Technology
Junior Luke Ambrogio also discovered BOCES through a tour, but what really sold him was the practical learning environment.
“There was so much practical work instead of just listening to lectures,” Ambrogio says. “I knew I had to do it.”
Ambrogio found the competition both challenging and helpful. The tasks were open-ended and required a solid grasp of automotive knowledge.
“For the practical stuff, I had to identify tools, tire grades, marks, and measurements,” he explains. “The hardest part was that it was open-ended and you had to apply knowledge you already had.”
The experience helped his confidence and prepared him for the upcoming state-level competitions, he shares.
“The skills competition changed how I see the program,” he says. “It’s a commitment to go to BOCES, but if you want to do it, go for it. I think it’s totally worth it if you’re interested in a trade or career offered.”
Logan Pierre, New Rochelle City School District – TV/Video Production
Logan Pierre, a senior from New Rochelle, has had a lifelong passion for film and found out he could do it at school with professional gear and training at BOCES.
“My school didn’t have any film courses,” Pierre notes. “When I visited BOCES and saw all the equipment they offered, I knew it was the place for me.”
Pierre was in the TV and video production competition, which involved making a film within a week, screening it with other competitors, and answering questions from judges about the project.
“This competition made me realize time management is really important and gave me a big confidence boost as well,” Pierre shares.
Pierre says BOCES teaches him both technical skills and life skills. He feels like he has become a better and more professional person since starting at BOCES last year.
Whether they are studying engines, emergency medicine, or videography, these BOCES students are turning their interests and skills into success stories. Through competitions, teamwork, and hands-on learning, they’re preparing for success in life’s next adventures.
Next Steps
Learn more about Southern Westchester BOCES’ programming here.
Related: Westchester Training Providers Teach In-Demand Skills
