HERKIMER — Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES and its component school districts shared some of their many successful educational programs recently with local Board of Education members and superintendents during the Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties School Boards Institute Educational Showcase.

“The SBI Showcase highlights school and community-based programs, projects and opportunities that improve the skills, abilities or development of students in Herkimer County school districts,” Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Kati Ferguson said. “Through this showcase, neighboring school districts had the opportunity to view ideas and concepts and potentially improve student programming in their schools.”’

The O-M-H SBI Educational Showcase was at the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES William E. Busacker Complex. Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES, Oneida-Madison-Herkimer BOCES and Madison-Oneida BOCES take turns hosting the showcase.

Herkimer BOCES Instructional Support Services and Career and Technical Education administrators and staff worked collaboratively with the SBI to organize this year’s event. The Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties School Boards Institute represents school boards from 35 districts in the Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties region.

By exhibiting student work, the Showcase provides an opportunity for Board of Education members across the region to see the fruits of their labor and SBI’s motto of “children first” put into action, Ferguson said.

“Board members are volunteers who work tirelessly to support students and the staff that serves those students,” Ferguson explained. “We could only do this work with their continued support and commitment. Tonight is our opportunity to thank them for all of their hard work and show them that their dedication is truly impacting students’ futures.”

Herkimer BOCES Culinary Hospitality students had stations set up around the WEB Complex where they served chorizo cream cheese stuffed jalapenos, pulled pork with Owens BBQ sauce, mango habanero salsa, peach salsa, roasted maple bacon Brussel sprouts, bacon jam burger sliders, crepes and no-bake cheesecake.

The Culinary Hospitality students provided recipes for all of the food, and guests were able to collect them to create a miniature recipe book. The cover of the recipe book was designed using artwork by Herkimer BOCES Special Programs students.

The Herkimer BOCES Building Construction program hosted tours of the house the program is building. Herkimer BOCES has the only BOCES program in the state to build a full home every school year. 

Building Construction instructor John Martin told guests that students are attracted to the opportunity to build a house, but there also are academics and a curriculum that are important to the program.

“The curriculum drives the program, and the house drives the enrollment,” Martin said.

Building Construction teaching assistant Shelby Creater and Building Construction students including junior Nathaniel Stone, of Central Valley, also spoke to guests about the program.

“I thought it was going to be hands-on, and it is, and I love it,” Stone said. “It made me more aware of what I want to do in the field.”