Dutchess BOCES

High school sophomores from Dutchess County will be visiting the Career & Technical Institute at Dutchess BOCES in the coming weeks to learn more of what CTI has to offer.

“We haven’t been able to host visits in quite a few years due to the covid 19 pandemic,” said CTI School Counselor Deanna Pillius. “We saw many students enrolling in a class that they thought might be a fit for them in the past couple of years and ended up finding out that maybe it wasn’t the best fit.
“I believe doing these visits is crucial in their choice making and making sure they’re in a program that suits them in their future career.” 
About 85 Arlington High School sophomores visited CTI on Jan. 20, a visit that followed ones from John Jay and Roy C. Ketcham high schools in early January.
“I think we offer a unique program here,” said CTI Principal Nicholas Millas. “There is a lot more hands-on learning. There is the opportunity to interact with the latest technology in their particular fields.
“We fully integrate academics. It provides them opportunities not just to come here for the trade but also to earn credits towards graduation.”
School Counselor Kristin Litwin delivered opening remarks to the Arlington sophomores before three Arlington seniors, who are CTI students, spoke of their experiences at Dutchess BOCES.
“The message is we want them to understand is that CTI is a great opportunity that gives them many options in life to find success and there are many pathways to success,” said Litwin.
Each Arlington sophomore was given the opportunity to learn about two programs of study that interest them. CTI student ambassadors in those programs escorted the Arlington sophomores to the classrooms with their programs of interest.
Dover High School senior Christian Guajardo and Poughkeepsie High School senior Maven Frederick spoke to sophomores interested in graphic design.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity because it gives students a slice of what we do here at BOCES, not only what we learn but how it can affect our futures, maybe our college careers or our future careers as a whole,” said Guajardo.
“I think it’s a really good idea to have them come through and talk to some of our speakers and students, and see maybe how they like the class.”