On Thursday, May 11th, Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles and District Office Director Cathy
Emilian visited P-TECH Academy. Dr. Kelles holds office for the 125th District, this area
encompasses south of Cortland County and Tompkins County. During this visitation, the guests
toured the TST BOCES’ P-TECH Academy program located on the Tompkins Cortland
Community College campus, stopping by to view the CollegeNow Office, P-TECH Academy
classrooms and Makerspace Lab, where they viewed presentations from students.
Demonstrations took place as students introduced how they developed their most recent
projects which included 3D printing designs, using steam energy to create physical movement
of a wheel, and laser cutting leather to make business logos. Dr. Kelles responds to her
experience stating, “The students who gave the tour were gracious and extremely
knowledgeable and the facilities TC3 has created for the P-TECH program are top notch. I had
the opportunity to talk with teachers of the program. It was evident that they had a clear passion
for their work and love for their students. We are really lucky to have this program in our
community.” TST BOCES and P-TECH Academy thank Dr. Kelles and Cathy Emilian for taking
the time to meet with our students, staff, and faculty. We truly appreciate your support and
welcome you back any time.
If your highschooler is interested in advanced manufacturing or computer science then please
visit the P-TECH Academy at tstboces.org for more information.
Pictured from left to right:
Keith Williams-Principal of P-TECH Academy, Valorie Hurd (Candor Central School District, 9th grade student), Cindy Walters-newly appointed Assistant Superintendent for Instructional and Career Services, Bruce Debo (Dryden Central School District, 10th grade student), Paul Reifenheiser-TC3 Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Josh Deluca- P-TECH Academy Science Teacher, Assemblymember Dr. Kelles, Victoria Zeppelin- TC3 Director of CollegeNow, Mathew Hartz-P-TECH Physical Education and Health Teacher, David French (Trumansburg Central School District, 11th grade student), and Christen Estell (South Seneca Central School District, 12 grade student).