They Came Back To BOCES

October 2, 2008 Contributor

Submitted Article

MEXICO, NY – The Come Back To BOCES Celebration, held on Sept. 20, brought together alumni and community members for an afternoon of activities, demonstrations, and memories.

Daryl Simmons, an Oswego County BOCES alumnus from the welding program, points out his 1984 class photo to his son, Colt, during the Come Back To BOCES alumni and community celebration. Upon graduating, Simmons pursued a career in welding and is now employed as a machinist and certified welder.
Daryl Simmons, an Oswego County BOCES alumnus from the welding program, points out his 1984 class photo to his son, Colt, during the Come Back To BOCES alumni and community celebration. Upon graduating, Simmons pursued a career in welding and is now employed as a machinist and certified welder.

Nearly 250 visitors stopped by the main campus in Mexico for the opportunity to visit classrooms, participate in hands-on activities and take a trip down memory lane viewing old photographs and newspaper clippings from earlier days.

Following a brief welcoming speech by Oswego County BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Camerino and remarks by Assemblyman David Townsend and Oswego County Legislator Paul Santore, visitors began to filter in and out of the many classrooms offering activities and reunite with old classmates and instructors.

A memory table was set up in the mall area where alumni could sign their names and write messages about their time at Oswego County BOCES.

Alumni from as early as 1969 came back for the event to share their memories.

OCB alumnus Greg Monette from the 1974 Data Processing class said, “BOCES helped shape my life. It was one of the best times of my life.”

Greg Monette rolls up his sleeve for a skull ‘tattoo’ during the Come Back To BOCES celebration. Monette is an Oswego County BOCES alumnus from the 1974 Data Processing class. Magen O’Bryan, pictured above applying the tattoo, and her fellow classmates from the Cosmetology program at OCB were busy during the celebration applying temporary tattoos, performing manicures and offering paraffin dip wax treatments to the many visitors.
Greg Monette rolls up his sleeve for a skull ‘tattoo’ during the Come Back To BOCES celebration. Monette is an Oswego County BOCES alumnus from the 1974 Data Processing class. Magen O’Bryan, pictured above applying the tattoo, and her fellow classmates from the Cosmetology program at OCB were busy during the celebration applying temporary tattoos, performing manicures and offering paraffin dip wax treatments to the many visitors.

Monette won the John A. Hoyt Scholarship Award prior to graduating and believes he would not have gotten into college without it.

Another OCB alumnus, George Mills attended Charles Briggs’ Welding class from 1969 – 1971.

Following his high school graduation, Mills became a nuclear welder in the United States Navy repairing submarines.

After 20 years in the Navy, he retired and moved back to area and accepted a job at the Carrier Corporation.

Mills said, “After Carrier closed I came back to BOCES and graduated again.”

Mills attended the Small Engine Repair Adult Education Program from 2004 – 2005 and now does repairs as a hobby.

If you or someone you know is an Oswego County BOCES alumni and would like to share your information and memories, please call 963-4313. missing or outdated ad config

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