Schalmont, Cobleskill BOCES Seniors Named SKILLSUSA Students of the Year

SCHOHARIE – Seniors from Schalmont and Cobleskill high schools have been named SkillsUSA Students of the Year on the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus.

Nichole Clark and Cole Carman were presented the honor during the campus’s graduation and awards ceremony on June 13.

The SkillsUSA Student of the Year honor is given to the student(s) on each Career and Technical School campus who best exemplifies SkillsUSA by their leadership and service to others, participation in all facets of the organization, and dedication and diligence to their vocation.

Clark and Carman are graduates of the Capital Region BOCES Criminal Justice who also served as officers of the SkillsUSA chapter on campus—Clark as president of the morning session and Carman as vice president of the same session.

Besides serving on the SkillsUSA organization, Carman and Clark are also two-year members of the National Technical Honor Society.

Principal Matt Ward praised the students and their willingness to give back to the school and community.

“Cole and Nicole are dedicated to the SkillsUSA mission and willing to help wherever possible. They are motivated, responsible, professional, but most importantly, leaders.  We are proud of their accomplishments at Schoharie CTE,” Ward said.

Both student leaders are heading to college in pursuit of careers protecting the public. Carman will be attending the University of Tampa to study cybersecurity, and Clark will attend Coastal Carolina College to study engineering science. Clark said the college credits will allow her to pursue her dream of being a K9 officer for the New York State Police.

“I need the 60 college credits to become a New York state trooper,” she said. “I want to be a K9 trooper because I like dogs and I like the idea of making the area safer.”

Both students praise BOCES for preparing them for the next steps of their lives.

“I have learned a lot of skills that will apply to a career in law enforcement, and the people at BOCES are great,” Clark said. 

“I have learned different types of analysis and skills that will be helpful as I pursue this for a career," Carman said.