LIBERTY- Sullivan BOCES held its commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, for the Rubin Pollack Education Center at the Clubhouse at Villa Roma. Family, teachers, and school administrators honored the nineteen graduates for their educational achievements.
Dr. Robert M. Dufour, District Superintendent at Sullivan BOCES, welcomed guests and opened the ceremony with a story of a little boy attending kindergarten for the first time. The story spoke of how his father was fearful for his son as he was going to a strange place without knowing anyone at the school. To do something to help protect his child, the father wrote the saying ‘You Can Do the Hard Stuff’ on a card and stuffed it in his son’s pocket. He told his son that this was his superpower and that if he was ever afraid or wasn’t sure if he could do something, to take the card out of his pocket and read it. The boy carried the card in his pocket until he graduated high school. The boy returned the card to his father at his graduation and thanked him. Dr. Dufour then handed each graduate a small card that said, ‘You Can Do the Hard Stuff.’ He said, “You are stronger than you think, and you can obtain anything you want in life because you can do the hard stuff. Because you’ve already done it, I know you are here tonight, graduating. Congratulations!” said Dufour.
Lieutenant Cheryl Crumley, from the Sullivan County Sherriff’s Department, was the keynote speaker for the graduation. Lieutenant Crumley congratulated the students and praised them for their success, and spoke of how the obstacles that they have overcome have made them stronger. “Although the journey has been different for each of you, you have shown your strength and determination, and you showed up. The most important part of life is showing up,” said Crumley. “You have overcome your obstacles and persevered. As you reflect on your high school journey, be proud of how far you have come. Now is the time for you to dream and set new goals. Where ever your future takes you, let it lead you to new and amazing opportunities. Class of 2023 – you’ve made us proud. Congratulations on a job well done!”
The ceremony’s student speaker was Zachary Thiel, a Liberty CSD graduate. Zachary spoke of the past three years he has spent at BOCES and how he learned a great deal and made many friends. He congratulated his classmates and thanked them for always being there for him. He ended with words of advice for the graduates. “As you go off to college or work, never let anyone walk over you, and keep moving forward,” said Thiel.
Anthony Sinacore, Sullivan BOCES Board Member, spoke to the class on behalf of the Sullivan BOCES Board of Education. He congratulated the graduates for their accomplishments and spoke of the changes and challenges the students have had over the past couple of years. Mr. Sinacore expressed his admiration for the students for their ability to adapt and overcome any challenge that was put forth to get them to this milestone in their academic path as they move to the next step in their life. Keep learning.
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
The students were also recognized during the ceremony for receiving the following awards and scholarships. The American Citizenship Award was presented to Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD; Oscar Barerra-Campos, Fallsburg CSD; and Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD. The Antonia Keesler Citizenship Award was given to Rahmel Harris, Monticello CSD. The BOCES Board Award was given to Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD. Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD, and Adam Turk Jr., Tri-Valley CSD, received the Career & Technical Education Award. The Gene Smith School to Work Award was presented to Armando Miguel, Liberty CSD. The Liberty Elks Award was given to Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD, and Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD. The Liberty Rotary Club Award was given to Oscar Barerra-Campos, Fallsburg CSD, and Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD. The Outstanding Graduate Award was presented to Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD. The following students received the Perseverance Award, Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD; Joseph Jadan Chocho, Liberty CSD; Evin Cross, Fallsburg CSD; Brian Detzauer, Tri-Valley CSD; Grace “Tori” Gonzalez, Sullivan West CSD; Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD; Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD; John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD; Gabirul VanAken, Monticello CSD; Erik Vasquez, Monticello CSD; Gemael Wallace Jr., Livingston Manor CSD; and Stefano Zinas, Sullivan West CSD. The President’s Academic Achievement Award was awarded to Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD; Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD; Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD; John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD; and Gabe Van Aken, Monticello CSD. Thelma Newman Memorial Award was given to Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD, and the Theresa Panny Memorial Award was awarded to Joseph Jadan Chocho, Liberty CSD, and Adam Turk Jr., Tri-Valley CSD.
The Class of 2023 includes
Oscar Barrera-Campos, Fallsburg CSD
Evin Cross, Fallsburg CSD
Niel Patel, Fallsburg CSD
Joseph Jadan-Chocho, Liberty CSD
Armando Miguel, Liberty CSD
Zachary Thiel, Liberty CSD
Gemael Wallace, Jr., Livingston Manor CSD
Rahmel Harris, Monticello CSD
Jadin Suarez, Monticello CSD
Gaibrul VanAken, Monticello CSD
Erik Vasquez, Monticello CSD
Delyla Alger, Roscoe CSD
Hailey Shaw, Roscoe CSD
Grace Gonzalez, Sullivan West CSD
Xaira Sennett, Sullivan West CSD
Stefano Zinas, Sullivan West CSD
Brian Detzauer, Tri-Valley CSD John Taurino, Tri-Valley CSD
Adam Turk, Tri-Valley CSD
