Thirty students graduated from the STEM summer enrichment academy Wednesday morning.
After having fun at their trike races just before the graduation and boat races the day before, the students were congratulated for their hard work by Ellen Friel, one of their teachers from the program, along with Allie White Peifer and Christopher Canor. Nolan Brown and Justin Culmer served as instructional assistants.
Ms. Friel noted that in just a couple of weeks, the students learned coding, used a 3D printer, laser cutter, made a weather station, met with professionals in the STEM field and engineered boats and trikes. Not a bad way to spend a few weeks in the summer.
Pine Bush High School Principal Aaron Hopmayer spoke to the students, letting them know how highly he thinks of them. “You chose to do something not many do – you gave up some of your summer for enrichment. I hope this experience resonates with you.”
Superintendent Brian Dunn also praised the students for their commitment to learning this summer. He thanked the parents, guardians and caretakers for their part in making this happen – “It’s a team effort,” he said, noting “This is a rare program,” referring to the district’s summer enrichment academies.
“One thing we learned through COVID was that we need to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the United States,” said Mr. Dunn. “We had many supply chain issues. We need you. You have a great future ahead of you.”
This is the 20th year for the Pine Bush summer enrichment academies. This year, there were six: advanced manufacturing, aviation, fine art, leadership and law, medical and STEM.
“The opportunities for our kids are endless,” said Mr. Hopmayer.
STEM Enrichment Academy Graduates
- Harris Blumrath
- Juan Pablo Cabrera
- Judah Cecchini
- William Chen
- Jaden Delille
- Brayden Diefenbach
- Julia Diefenbach
- Dylan Hessian
- Daniel Kelly
- Kelly Lugo
- Aidan McQueen
- Kate Megello
- Madelline Monahan
- Maxwell Moser
- Cailey Noviello
- Jacob Pawlowski
- Lucas Pizzulli
- Reilly Quick
- Angus Russell
- William Santana
- Daniel Sassi
- Benjamin Schuh
- Iyana Steinard
- Nevan Stelmaszyk
- Cameron Tompkins
- Christopher Turcotte-O’Dell
- Justin Urena
- Krisette Vivaldo
- Jayden VonHassel
- Greyson West