Excel Awards 2020

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Ken-Ton Union Free School District’s Alexander Kyler, a student in the Exceptional Education division. Alexander is enrolled in the Middle School at Northtowns Academy.

Diane Avecillas, principal, said Alexander has maintained honor roll – which is new for him this year – every quarter.

“He has exceled in Math 8, and voluntarily helps classmates and is able to do so accurately,” she added. “He generally participates in all classes, and he takes feedback to improve. He has grown leaps and bounds socially since last year and has improved in his self-confidence. Throughout the school year, he has stayed on track and not fallen behind at all.”

Avecillas said Alexander complies with teacher directions and tries hard to complete his work.

“He is a good role model to his peers,” she concluded.

Congratulations goes out to Alexander and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Maryvale High School’s Alyssa MacLefko, a student in the Career & Technical Education division. Alyssa is enrolled in the Cybersecurity & Networking program at the Harkness Career & Technical Center in Cheektowaga.

“Alyssa has continually shown the personal traits that this award is designed to acknowledge,” noted Joseph McNamara, instructor.

Among her long list of accomplishments through her high school career, Alyssa placed first in Gannon University’s Hackathon competition, earning a full scholarship to Gannon, where she plans to attend college. She is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Girl Scouts, and she is a 21^st Century facilitator and a scholar athlete.

Congratulations goes out to Alyssa and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Williamsville Central School District’s Birwa Zangana, a student in the Exceptional Education division. Birwa is enrolled in MiddleTech North at Northtowns Academy.

Diane Avecillas, principal, said Birwa has remained consistent throughout the entire school year, coming into school with a smile on his face and a positive outlook.

“For the grade seven class, Birwa has been a great model for his peers,” she added. “He is often there to listen, share advice, or even provide lightheartedness when a peer is upset. When needing a reminder of expectations, Birwa takes accountability for his actions. Birwa additionally responds well to teacher feedback and attempts to correct work based on suggestions made.”

Avecillas noted Birwa has always been willing to contribute to classroom discussion, often providing great anecdotes from his life to support his understanding.

“Birwa has become a vital member of the MiddleTech North community and continues to work and stay connected despite the change in setting,” she concluded.

Congratulations goes out to Birwa and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Orchard Park Central School District’s Blake Musiak, a student in the Exceptional Education division. Blake is enrolled in the College and Career Readiness Academy (CCRA) at EDGE Academy.

Robert Boccacio, principal, noted Blake is an outstanding, motivated young man that his peers look up to.

“He shows up to school every day respectful, willing and ready to complete work,” he added. “His eyes are set on graduation and fully understands what he needs to do to get there. Although he is only a teenager, he understands and appreciates the dedication and commitment given by all of our staff on a daily basis.”

Boccacio said Blake has very good attendance and a great sense of humor, and he is always honest.

Congratulations goes out to Blake and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Iroquois High School’s Caelan Welling, a student in the Career & Technical Education division. Caelan is enrolled in the New Visions Legal Academy program.

Jennifer Steiner, instructor, noted Caelan has a maturity well beyond her years.

“She is organized, responsible, driven and self-motivated,” she added. “She displays solid leadership skills, especially when it came to mock trial. Caelan provided positive peer motivation, making sure her classmates were prepared and assisting them if needed.”

Steiner said Caelan is a student who makes good life choices for herself and with confidence.

“Her maturity, dedication and diligence not only indicate her current ability, but also her potential for future service and success,” she concluded.

Congratulations goes out to Caelan and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to West Seneca Central School District’s David Thomson, a student in the Exceptional Education division. David is enrolled in the Erie 1 BOCES Learning Center.

Erik Vohwinkel, principal, noted David is an enthusiastic learner and enjoys school.

“He is in the occupational education program at the Potter Career & Technical Center,” Vohwinkel said. “He participates in a work experience program. In these programs, David has developed new jobs skills. He has a vibrant imagination and excels in creating comics. He’s done work on a comic for the school yearbook with the Erie 1 BOCES MiddleTech program. He volunteers for the school's community service projects, such as making items to donate to local nursing homes.”

Vohwinkel concluded David is well-liked by his peers and shows a great amount of compassion for his classmates.

Congratulations goes out to David and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Depew Union Free School District’s Gina Polichetti, a student in the Exceptional Education division. Gina is enrolled in the Erie 1 BOCES Learning Center’s MiddleTech program.

Erik Vohwinkel, principal, noted Gina is a remarkable individual who is a genuine pleasure to have in the classroom.

“Gina has grown tremendously, both socially and academically during her time at MiddleTech,” he added. “She puts forth true effort into her academics and her enthusiasm and positive attitude are a benefit to her peers and teachers. She is wise beyond her years, as she demonstrates exceptional kindness, patience and maturity for someone so young. Gina can always be counted on to help and support those in need.”

Vohwinkel concluded by saying Gina regularly assists others by serving as a program ambassador and participates in restorative justice.

Congratulations goes out to Gina and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Kenmore West High School’s Heaven Gauny, a student in the Career & Technical Education division. Heaven is enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at the Kenton Career & Technical Center in Tonawanda.

Gary Carlson, instructor, noted Heaven has been one of the most helpful and giving students he has ever had. She has helped train and worked with students who have need of assistance in the class and shop.

“Heaven truly always goes above and beyond what I would ask of or expect from any student,” Carlson added. “She is always willing to assist me with work in the classroom, and on more than one occasion, I have called upon her to train herself on equipment that I was not familiar with. That is not an easy task. The best part is afterward, she has offered to train me and did.”

Carlson said outside of school, Heaven helps manage the house and care for her younger siblings. She also volunteers with the Red Cross, KAT (a youth football program for at-risk children) and Devin’s Message Foundation (a bullying prevention organization).

Congratulations goes out to Heaven and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Tonawanda City School District’s Jake Lawson, a student in the Exceptional Education division. Jake is enrolled in the EDGE Academy.

Robert Boccaccio, principal, noted Jake is a hardworking, courteous and respectful young man.

“Like all who come here, he came to us with some personal baggage that he wanted to work through so he could graduate. While he has been here, he has striven toward that goal,” Boccaccio said. “Outside of school, Jake belongs to the Sea Cadets, a junior Navy program. The program provides youth with character building and leadership training. Jake has done training in Canada with Canadian cadets and at a Great Lakes training center. He was supposed to go to South Korea with his unit this summer, but the pandemic canceled that.”

Boccaccio added last year, Jake took military police training and also went to a leadership academy. Afterward, he was made master of arms (MAA) of his company and was later made chief MAA, meaning he is in charge of all the MAAs. He works at the Naval Park and at the Naval Operations Support Center providing security.

“As can be seen, Jake has his goals set on graduating and joining the Navy in some capacity,” Boccaccio concluded. “He is a pleasure to have in class and he always is an active participant, always willing to help out.”

Congratulations goes out to Jake and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Frontier High School’s Jenna Schifano, a student in the Career & Technical Education division. Jenna is enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at the Potter Career & Technical Center.

James Szelest, instructor, noted Jenna has always displayed positive contributions to the class and has achieved high academics.

“In her junior year, Jenna successfully pushed to get Frontier students in the program credit for participation in government,” Szelest added. “After a change to the policy, Jenna was honored at a board meeting.”

Szelest said Jenna has promoted the Criminal Justice program in her home school and out in the community. She is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

“During the distance learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenna has gone way beyond the call of duty with her work, even asking for extra work,” Szelest concluded.

Congratulations goes out to Jenna and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Kevin Krauss, owner of The 3 Dog Barber in Lancaster. Krauss graduated from the Barbering program in the Workforce Development division in 2015.

Patricia Riegle, senior supervisor, noted Krauss currently employs three other Erie 1 BOCES Barbering program graduates.

“Kevin is a huge supporter of career and technical education, and he takes in secondary students for internship experiences,” Riegle added. “Kevin serves on advisory committees, and he joined our instructional staff this year. He brings his mission from his barbershop to his Workforce Development students daily by aiming for perfection in the products and services he provides.”

Congratulations goes out to Krauss and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to Hamburg High School’s Nathan Morabito, a student in the Career & Technical Education division. Nathan is enrolled in the P-TECH R.A.C.E. program.

“You can tell by Nate's ambition and drive that he is a true motor head,” noted Bob Mroz, instructor. “He not only completes the required coursework; he brings in his own projects to fill in the time gaps between lessons. He's hard-working, eager to learn, polite, respectful, and has a great sense of humor. He will make an awesome employee.”

“Nate comes to school every day and brings his A game,” added Donna Walters, instructor. “He completes all of his assignments and he is attentive in class. He really enjoys participating and will frequently come up to instruct the class. He is interested in sharing his knowledge with others. During the middle school days, he taught me how to pack bearings.”

Congratulations goes out to Nathan and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation

For the 2019-20 school year, the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education has presented an Excel Award to West Seneca Central School District’s Sean Cook, a senior in the Exceptional Education division. Sean is enrolled in the Twilight program.

Terry Ruh, principal, noted Sean arrives each day with a smile and a positive attitude.

“His sincerity and kindness are unmatched among his peers,” Ruh added. “Sean is very well regarded by faculty and students alike. His attendance is outstanding. Perhaps the most important reason we recognize Sean is his drive to finish school. He passed many Regents exams in January and will be earning his diploma.”

Ruh said Sean’s positive attitude and determination are testaments to his drive to be successful.

“We are lucky to have Sean as a part of our Twilight school community,” he concluded.

Congratulations goes out to Sean and the rest of the Excel Award honorees!

Video Presentation