Student Ambassadors at the Hewes Educational Center were recognized for helping to showcase the different Career & Technical Education programs available through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
The juniors led tours to visiting 10th graders from component school districts. Sophomores interested in CTE for the 2025-26 school year were able to experience different classrooms and get a taste of their preferred programs.
Aaron Taylor, CTE counselor at Hewes, commended the Student Ambassadors during a recent recognition lunch.
“Thank you for rocking it during Tour Week. We received nothing but good compliments from districts,” Taylor said. “They loved that we changed it up and did some more hands-on stuff in some of the shops.”
Hewes Principal Paul Mihalko reminded the students of the important role ambassadors play in promoting CTE programs.
“I don’t think you guys realize how much these (sophomore) students look up to you,” Mihalko said. “Most of you will remember the people within your class. You don’t often remember the people in ninth or 10th grade. You don’t often remember the people who are really looking up to you.”
He added, “It’s important that you guys take the lead. I can talk about how great our programs are, but word of mouth really comes from you.”
Taylor provided each Student Ambassador with a Certificate of Appreciation. “These really exemplify the work that you guys are doing and recognize you for an exemplary job, not only as an ambassador but as a student here as well,” he said.
Student Ambassadors recognized at Hewes include: Giovanni Parasiliti and Ethyn Moore with Automotive Body Repair; Camron Awiszus and Austin Pfeiffer with Automotive Technology; Izabella Kilmartin and Marissa Oakes with Cosmetology; Dani Trim, Clayton Smith, Jackson Seiberg, and Jourdyn Cobb with Conservation/Natural Resource Management; Troy Chambers and Gracie Lisciandro with Construction Technology; Kendall Wilson, Sabastion DeJesus, and Lillianah Gates-Warrior with Culinary Arts; Broderick Feldt, Gemini Prittie, and Mackenzie Andrews with Criminal Justice; Kylee Miller and Meya Winchell with Health Careers; Elias Armes and Alexander Koxlien with Information Technology/Computer Systems; and Ava Reale and Liam Rankin with Small Animal Science.
