Ritchie Helping Students Get Ready for Careers in the Computer Graphics Field

State Senator Patty Ritchie recently visited the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Center in Fowler, where she was able to see firsthand, students working with equipment she helped the center purchase, to help students get ready for jobs in the careers they have been most interested in.

During her visit, Senator Ritchie checked out a new, high-speed graphics printer that allows communications students to produce commercial grade publications and movie type posters. In working with the printer, students are learning the skills they need to obtain jobs with commercial graphics and printing companies by using computerized graphics.

The printer was purchased with assistance from a $6,500 grant secured by Senator Ritchie, which also allowed the center to buy additional equipment for the students to get even more career training.

“For some young people, the best type of learning is hands-on learning,” said Senator Patty Ritchie. “I was delighted to see firsthand how students are using this new, high-tech printer to enhance what they’re learning in the classroom. I am hopeful that this experience will help students become better prepared for their future careers.”

“We can’t thank Senator Ritchie enough for recognizing how important it is to connect our students with real-life experience in the career fields they are most interested in,” said Thomas Burns, District Superintendent. “She has always been a champion for BOCES and its students, and we cannot thank her enough for her support.”

In addition to seeing the new printer in action, during her stop at the BOCES Southwest Career and Technical Education Center, Senator Ritchie was able to watch as students worked on website design. 

(In the first picture, Senator Ritchie is pictured with Southwest Career & Technical Education Center students, instructor Molly Gushea, Jane Akins, BOCES Director of Career and Tech Education and Southwest Career & Technical Education Center Principal Joanne Witt.)

(In the second photo: Senator Ritchie is seen in front of the high-speed graphics printer, with instructor Molly Gushea, looking at posters students produced with the new printer.)