Three Pine Bush High School students graduated from the Advanced Manufacturing Summer Academy after an intensive program at the Gene Haas Innovation Center at PBHS.
Tech teacher Kenneth Marshall congratulated the students – Anthony Maida, Grant Brown and Brian Lee – who have also passed their exam and earned their Haas certification.
“These guys were so creative,” said Mr. Marshall, noting they came up with their own ideas about how to display the cubes they made on the machinery. They used the laser cutter and water jet, he added, saying that the aluminum they use for the projects is all donated, much of it scratched. They polish it and make it look incredible. “I am so proud of these kids.”
Dylan Miedema, 2023 graduate of PBHS, was the instructional assistant for the academy. He earned his Haas certification during the school year and will be attending SUNY Orange in the fall with his goal to be a tech teacher someday. He said the students “were like sponges” and worked so hard throughout the academy.
Superintendent Brian Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Amy Brockner, Assistant Superintendent for Business Joe Lenz, Executive Director of Human Resources, Data and Counseling Angela Wise-Landman, PBHS Assistant Principal Jen Evans and STARS Academy teacher Ashley Michelitch attended the ceremony along with family members of the students.
“You gave up one and a half weeks of your summer to come to this academy,” said PBHS Principal Aaron Hopmayer. “You’ve earned this Haas credential. You’ll have doors open to you because of this. We are so proud of you.”