Twenty-nine students from across the Tech Valley Region closed one chapter of their learning careers Saturday, June 15, as they graduated from Tech Valley High School. But for all of the graduates, the next chapter of learning is right around the corner as 93 percent of the class is heading on to college and the remaining two students are enlisting in the United States Air Force to pursue careers as officers and pilots.
[private]While their four years at TVHS was anything but a traditional education, Saturday’s commencement ceremony for the TVHS Class of 2013 at the UAlbany Main Campus Center was filled with the pomp and circumstance that marks graduation days in schools small and large, traditional and non-traditional, across the country.
Of the 21 graduates pursuing higher education and who have selected a major, half will pursue careers in the lucrative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Nationally, less than 14 percent of graduates pursue STEM careers.
Fifty-two percent of the class have chosen to attend four-year colleges, ranging from Elmira College to Philadelphia University. Meanwhile, 41 percent will start their college careers at two-year colleges, including Schenectady County Community College, Hudson Valley Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Seth Miller of New Lebanon is pursuing a degree in architecture, attending Philadelphia University. He credits his experiences at TVHS with shining a bright light on that career potential.
“Tech Valley has given me the opportunity each year to pursue an internship in a field of interest to me through J-Term and senior project. It has been a very valuable experience and one I am highly grateful for,” said Miller, of New Lebanon.
During his time at TVHS, Miller studied architecture at EYP Architecture and Engineering, as well as Architecture Plus, as part of separate J-Term projects. For his senior project, he studied historical architecture at Hartgen Archeological Associates in Defreestville. Though his senior project has long been complete, Miller continues an internship at the firm to this day.
Local Graduates
Seth Miller from the New Lebanon Central School District
Ashley Moon from the Berlin Central School District
Meghan Powers from the Berlin Central School District[/private]