Local News

BOCES Student Awarded Full Scholarship

Luke Tyler, a senior in Tom Destino’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, will be starting his college career with a $20,000 scholarship in hand.  Luke was on a campus visit to University of Northwestern Ohio this past spring exploring their HVAC program and had a chance to take an exam to see if he qualified for a scholarship. 

He recently received word that he won $20,000 thanks to the score on his test.  “When the representative called me to tell me I won, it was such a big relief.  Now I don’t have to worry about paying tuition.”  University representative Tom LaRose says he is not surprised that Luke won.  “I am very aware of the great program that Mr. Destino runs at Orleans/Niagara BOCES.  We had a former student of his Jacob Dullen, who was the National SkillsUSA winner, attend here as well.  It is a very impressive program that produces outstanding students.” 

Luke says there was never any doubt that he was going to attend the HVAC program at BOCES.  “I knew that is what I wanted.  I had heard success stories about people coming here and getting skills and getting great jobs.  Mr. Destino has a lot of experience and he knows what we need to learn and really helps us.”  As for Mr. Destino, he could not be prouder of his student.  “He is a wonderful young man and I know he will do great things.” 

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