Clean Technologies ECHS program hosts graduation and capstone presentation
Emma Ralls/ The Troy Record & The Saratogian / June 8, 2023
[Click here to access a gallery of photographs taken at the ceremony by Vincent Giordano, photography/multimedia specialist.]
MALTA, N.Y. — Clean Technologies hosted its graduation ceremony and capstone presentation for its Early College High School (ECHS) students on June 8.
The ceremony took place at the Hudson Valley Community College’s TEC-SMART facility in Malta and was a celebration for the graduating class, as well as an opportunity for seniors and juniors of the program to show the projects they have been working on. These projects were based on a variety of topics including (but not limited to) renewable energy, sustainability, smart growth, nanotechnology, and more.
The graduating class was made up of 41 students, representing 10 different high schools throughout the region. Of those students, 24 are planning on returning to Hudson Valley Community College to continue their education. One student, Kira Davenport, was recognized as only needing three more classes to earn her degree and would be graduating in December from Hudson Valley Community College.
Many speakers shared words of wisdom and advice with the class of 2023, including Ballston Spa School District Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Duca, Vice President of Academic Affairs of Hudson Valley Community College Judith DiLorenzo, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake. Two students, Adam Conklin of Stillwater CSD, and Kyra Kelly of Saratoga Springs CSD, also took the podium to address their peers and reflect on their time in the program.
The final speaker was teacher Jenna Singer, who has been involved at the senior level with this program for seven years. To her, one of the most special parts of the day was the students getting to share their senior capstone projects.
“It shows they dove into something they were passionate about and they tried to develop solutions to problems that impact them and people like them,” Singer commented. “They are really changing the world.”
Following the ceremony, the students returned to their projects and had a chance to share solutions to different issues facing their community and world. From a community car repair garage, Grayson Zalewsky of Ballston Spa CSD’s project, to Mental Health VR, Marie Turene of South Glens Falls CSD’s project, these students were able to tailor their capstones to what they were passionate about and where they saw room for improvement.
The mission of the ECHS program is to transform College and Career Readiness in students by creating new pathways between education and business. This is done by supporting a culture and learning environment with the tools and resources necessary for students to acquire and create knowledge, collaborate and innovate along with connecting with higher education, the community, the region and the world.