News
October 22, 2018Three Adults Honored as Students of the Year by a Statewide Association
Three Capital Region BOCES adult education students are being honored this month as New York Association for Continuing and Community Education (NYACCE) Students of the Year.
Rebekah Peters, Stephanie Morris and Kristine Bates were nominated for the award by their Capital Region BOCES adult education teachers and chosen from nominees put forth by educators from across New York state. The students will be formally recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 23 at the Century House in Latham. The event begins at 5 p.m.
Peters, of Delmar, was nominated for the honor for her persistence in pursuing a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma while raising four children and battling personal issues at home.
“Throughout this volatile time, Rebekah still came to class. While in class, she would repeatedly receive calls from her then estranged husband which distracted her from her studies. Throughout this, she maintained her kindness and thoughtfulness. When another student became ill during class, Rebekah willingly walked the student home to her apartment to make sure she arrived safely,” Case Manager, Tarin Bready, said in nominating Peters for the award.
Peters graduated from the HSE program in 2018.
Morris, of Albany, was nominated for overcoming a tough childhood that included becoming a teen mom, as well as a lifetime struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She dropped out of high school and was told to take the exam on her on, but she did not pass every subject.
“She was disappointed and felt like she couldn’t move on in her life. She continued to work but was living paycheck to paycheck and was also expecting a second child. … Her determination is what kept her going. She got the medication she needs to control her ADHD and enrolled in the Capital Region BOCES HSE program,” Program Manager, Maria Huntington said.
Morris said earning the award and attending Capital Region BOCES have been her greatest achievements in life.
“It means a lot to me. Growing up I never won anything a day in my life. Winning this award is the best thing to happen to me. I cried for two straight days when I heard about it,” she said.
The Albany resident said BOCES has given her a new shot on life.
“I’ve had a good time at BOCES. Being in the class when I first started was really hard, but (my teacher) kept pushing me and pushing me. She wouldn’t let me give up,” Morris said. “Now, I plan to finish the program in February and go to Hudson Valley Community College for either business or criminal justice – all thanks to Capital Region BOCES.”
Bates, of Colonie, was nominated for the statewide award for overcoming a lifetime of medical ailments that has led her to dialysis treatments and use of a wheelchair.
Bates, who has Spina Bifida and requires dialysis for her failing kidneys, said she was often SICK in high school and that combined with other issues left her just the health class credit shy of graduating. After taking time off from her education, she enlisted in the HSE program at BOCES’ Maywood School in September of 2017 and has already completed the program.
“I have never worked with a student who gave so much attention to graduating as she did,” said her teacher, Patti Alvaro. “Despite her constant health setbacks, Kristine still attended classes while experiencing extreme pain and discomfort. Her skills do not end with resiliency and ability to learn, she also projects a warm and cheerful attitude.”
Bates, who plans to pursue a degree in medical billing, also credits Capital Region BOCES and her teacher Patti Alvaro with giving her a new lease on life.
“The teacher – I loved her. She actually helped me and made everything possible,” Bates said.
