Middle school students from across the county recently put new skills into action at Dutchess BOCES Summer CTI Experience in the realms of culinary arts, electrical, fashion design and metal fabrication.
This annual, no-cost program, shows students how they can “take their interests and apply them to a project they can come away feeling proud of,” shared Career and Technical Institute Principal Nick Millas. “This opportunity for experiential learning allows them to see what it’s like to be in a career and technical education program, which might be something they want to continue to pursue in the future.”
Culinary Arts
“The week is filled with activities ranging from making homemade pasta to pizza, cookies, toaster pastries and chicken and eggplant parm,” shared chef Amanda Scoca. ‘We also took them through a tour of the dining room, the classrooms and kitchen and explained what CTI is like and the education they would receive if they came here in the future, whether they are interested in culinary arts or another trade.”
Brianna Midgley from Wappingers Central School District came to the program with a specific goal in mind.
“I want to understand the basic skills so I can not only help cook for my family, but also build skills for babysitting when I’m older,” she shared.
Jack Murphy, an incoming senior from Wappingers at CTI, enjoyed helping out with the younger students.
The class made cookies on Thursday. “We made cookies on my first day at BOCES, and it really teaches you the fundamentals of baking,” shared Murphy. “I remember learning about ‘mise en place,’ meaning before you start you get all your materials and ingredients ready. It stuck with me from my first day with chef, and it’s cool to hear the kids talk to each other about it.”
The experience will count toward Murphy’s work-based learning hours.
Culinary arts was not Hunter Zawistowiski first choice program, but after having the experience, he is considering attending CTI and making this into his career.
Zawistowiski, from Hyde Park Central School District, shared his new passion with his parents. “When I got home and they tasted my chicken parm, they said ‘This is delicious!’”
Electrical
Students in the electrical classroom experienced many light bulb moments this week as they learned how to do basic residential wiring.
“By the end of the week, the students had a project board with a doorbell, light and switch that they can plug in and show their parents,” shared teacher James Hayes. “If they are interested in this for a career, I hope this sparks their interest a little more and that I might see them in class in a few years.”
“I learned about different types of wires, where they go, and how outlets work,” shared Rashad Amaro Jr. from Hyde Park. “At first, it was pretty hard to attach certain wires, but I had moments where everything came together and now I understand where things go.”
With no prior experience in electrical, Amaro shared that the program has made him want to return as a junior to attend CTI. “I think this program can really help you out for your future,” he said.
Fashion Design
Students in the fashion design class left with greater knowledge of the fashion world, as well as a few pieces of their own creation to take home and show off throughout the summer.
“They started with a basic T-shirt, created a unique design and altered it to fit them,” shared teacher Sebastian Yeung. “I hope they learn what they can achieve with even just a basic knowledge of design,” he added, explaining that the class learned what a day's work looks like for a fashion designer before a presentation to a client.
Mikayla McMahon from the Beacon City School District shared that she decided to attend the program because she loves to sew, learning from her grandma over the years.
“This week has been great. I get to be creative,” she shared.
Speaking on her design process, she added, “My theme for the T-shirt is butterflies, and I found other fabrics with butterflies to cut out and include in my design.” After completing the work, McMahon enjoyed learning to sketch a model.
Zelda Davey from Rhinebeck Central School District didn’t enjoy sewing until she had a unit on it this year in school. “I learned that something you don’t find interesting at first can over time become a very fun hobby,” she shared, glad that her parents encouraged her to attend this week.
“I like the fact that you can make multiple things here and there are many accessories you can work off of and change,” she added.
For Jack Garrett of Beacon CSD, fashion design is something completely new. He took a chance by attending the program and found that it’s something he really enjoys.
“It’s been a lot of fun. We learned a lot about how professionals design their own clothes for the runway,” he shared.
Metal Fabrication
Sparks flew as students - geared up with welding hoods and jackets - learned from demonstrations of MIG welding, stick welding, torch cutting and more in the metal fabrication class.
After these lessons, students worked on designing and forming their own wind chimes.
“I hope that they enjoy the week and understand that this is a cool trade to learn and it is very versatile,” shared teacher Jake Maneri.
“I chose to come to this program because my dad graduated from here in 1998 and I enjoy welding and building with metal,” shared Travis Miller from Pawling Central School District.
Miller has learned a lot of skills from his dad, frequently working on projects together. Miller hopes to follow in his footsteps by attending CTI in the future. “I think this is a really great place to learn,” he shared.
As Noah Haas from Wappingers was creating his wind chimes using sheet metal, pliers and sheers, he recognized a design challenge. “The old keys I wanted to use didn’t create the sound I was looking for,” he shared. He redesigned his chimes to overcome the obstacle and create a product he is proud of.
Although the summer session is over, CTI offers opportunities for high school students to visit throughout the school year.