Congratulations, Class of 2026!
More than 400 high school seniors from across the region earned completion certificates from Madison-Oneida BOCES during a formal ceremony at Vernon Downs on June 15.
Hundreds of family members, friends, teachers and school leaders from MOBOCES and local districts filled the Grandstand to watch 464 students earn their certificates from 25 Career and Technical Education programs as well as the Career Development Academy and the Tri Academy programs. This year’s class represented 13 area high schools.
New Visions Professions student Nicolas Lavesa-Cesana, from VVS, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Outdoor Power Equipment student Garet Rocker, from Camden, delivered the student address, sharing some of his experiences and achievements from his two years at MOBOCES.
“BOCES has given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have got otherwise and has shaped me,” he said. “That's the magic of BOCES. Almost anyone from any background and in any situation can enroll in BOCES and find some success in something. It’s like a door that opens a hundred more doors.”
Students also heard from District Superintendent Scott Budelmann, Board President Patrick Baron, and Secondary Programs Director Molly LiBritz.
Budelmann told students that attending MOBOCES allowed them to create their own unique path toward success.
“You crafted an education that fits your interest, your talents and goals – an education that prepared you not only to graduate, not only to work, but to learn and grow beyond classroom walls,” he said. “What binds this class together is not that you all take the same steps. What binds you is your determination to build your own path. What binds you is your resilience, your curiosity, and your courage to try something new.”
Earlier in the day, the Career Development and Tri Academy programs held a senior recognition lunch for families of the 14 candidates for graduation. During that event, they presented two scholarships.
- Jimmie Alamiz (Cazenovia) and LaRhyia Tuff (Rome) earned the MOBOCES Educational Foundation Awards
- Jimmie Alamiz (Cazenovia) and Addison Stevens (Oneida) earned the MOBOCES Teachers Association Awards
In a separate on-campus ceremony on June 18, 10 special education students from our Community Based Occupational Education (CBOE) program were recognized for completing their schooling and moving on to employment, day habilitation and other community programs.
Over at our North Broad Elementary site, program leaders also held graduation ceremonies for our kindergarten and 6th grade students.
See photos from all of our year-end celebrations.
Secondary Completion Ceremony Photos
Full list of 2026 MOBOCES completers
CBOE Completion Ceremony Photos
Kindergarten and 6th grade graduations