Representatives from Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute helped guide dozens of area middle and high school students last week at the inaugural PK Youth Leaders’ Summit.
The three-day event, held at Dutchess Community College July 30-Aug. 1, featured talks and interactive sessions with community and educational leaders, elected officials and others who have excelled in various business fields.
CTI Principal Nick Millas spoke with students on the final day in a session focused on career pathways and the various options available to high school students, which may include college but also could include training in one of many trade fields. Millas described to students BOCES’ various programs and training opportunities for receiving a head start in any of those fields, as well as the CDOS Commencement Credential graduation pathway.
In addition, CTI Coordinator of Health Occupations Joanne Williams took part in a session with various other representatives in which students were able to cycle through asking questions, and CTI Assistant Principal Brian Conte spoke with students at BOCES’ informational table set up on Thursday.
“I think that a lot of kids are not aware of what BOCES has to offer them throughout their career, but primarily in the 11th and 12th grades,” Conte said, noting the value of career training as opposed to a potentially costly traditional college experience. “We have kids coming out of here that are making a nice chunk of change right out of high school.”
Approximately 70 students attended the free summit, which was organized by the Poughkeepsie City School District in collaboration with leaders from the Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet, Saving Our Tomorrow, Dutchess Community College, the City of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County government and vested community members. Gully Stanford, a Dutchess BOCES board member, was “a mastermind” of the event, Conte said, helping to organize and then serving as emcee for portions. 
The speakers provided tips for how to be successful, use their voices in the community, prepare for college or post-graduation activities, and pursue career goals. The speakers also touched on topics of mental and physical health and specialists from the college provided guidance on the application and financial aid processes, among other areas.“The idea of a youth leadership summit originated from students who serve on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of schools for the Poughkeepsie City School District. “They were responsible for naming the summit and identifying workshop topics. As adults, we are obligated to nurture our community’s youth and recognize the importance and power of youth voice. I’m grateful to all that committed to months of planning to provide our youth with this positive youth leadership development experience.
”More than specific answers for where the future should take them, many of the speakers stressed to the students the importance of gaining tools to succeed by embracing such qualities as what Dutchess Community College President Dr. Peter Jordan called “The Three P’s: Participate, be Present and be Prepared.”
Other community based organizations from across the City of Poughkeepsie and surrounding areas provided workshops and in-kind services. In addition, many community organizations and businesses set up tables for the students to visit and learn more about services offered to them, possible professions and services with which they can become involved.
Kadiyah Lodge, Director of Programs for Ampact and a board member for the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, told the students, “You need to have skills. Public speaking is a skill. Communication is a skill. Then you take that skill into what you want to do. … Think about the skills you need. The career will come.”