Grace Templeton - Class of 2020 -

What college or university are you attending or have attended?
HVCC/Syracuse University

What was/is your college graduation date?  
May 2021/May 2024

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?  
This program made my transition to college way smoother. I felt ahead of the curve when it came to figuring out time management for classes, clubs, and my social life. I already knew how to talk to professors and overall felt more prepared than most people I know. 

Jae Fish - Class of 2018 - 

What college or university are you attending or have attended?
B.S. SUNY Polytechnic Institute, M.P.A (Fall 2023) UAlbany 

What was/is your college graduation date?
May 2023 

Share news, accomplishments, or anything you would like to share:
After my time at HVCC and the Tec-Smart Program, I went to SUNY Polytechnic Institute where I am currently finishing up my last year. I serve as my Student Government's President and also participate in the SUNY wide student government called SUNY SA. I am also working in the admissions office at SUNY Poly doing various tasks to support the enrollment process. 

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
Learning how to present and talk to different individuals during our expos really helped me to learn how to effectively communicate with people. 

Emily Nack - Class of 2018 - 

What college or university are you attending or have attended?  
Hudson Valley Community College / Rochester Institute of Technology 

What is/was your college graduation date?
2019 / 2022 

Where are you currently employed?
US Army Cyber Institute at West Point

Share news, accomplishments, or anything you would like to share:
I graduated summa cum laude from RIT, where I got my B.S in game design and development. I'm currently working full time at the U.S Army Cyber Institute where I am researching and developing platforms/software/tooling with the purpose of enabling effective army cyber defense and cyber operations. 

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
Opening the door to unique opportunities and connections that I would not have received otherwise. Quite honestly, ECHS helped me grow as both a student and a person, teaching me valuable skills that gave me the confidence needed to pursue ventures I may not have normally considered. 

Other Comments/Information:
Thank you for all your support over the years! I would not be where I am today without ECHS! 

Brian Sanford - Class of 2017 - 

What college or university are you attending or have attended?  
Marist College

What is/was your college graduation date?  
May 2021

Where are you currently employed?
Dotdash Meredith, Account Manager in Brand Partnerships for People.com, Travel and Leisure, and Better Homes and Gardens. 

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
The connections I made, and getting acclimated to college before going away. 

Belinda Washock - Class of 2017 - 

What college or university are you attending or have attended? 
SUNY Plattsburgh 

What is/was your college graduation date?  

Where are you currently employed?
American Automobile Association (AAA)

Share news, accomplishments, or anything you would like to share:
I recently partnered with United Way to raise money for a project. I will be a part of their leadership committee at the start of the new year (2023). 

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
The ability to maintain a healthy work/school/life balance by being able to commute to classes. 

Reese Johnson - Class of 2016 - Reese is a graduate of the program and Ballston Spa High School.  

What college or university are you attending or have attended? 
University at Albany

What is/was your college graduation date? 
May 2020

Where are you currently employed? 
Mindex - Data Engineer

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
This program was the key that unlocked the door of STEM for me. It allowed me to explore the field of Computer Science & get a head start on what was to come for College. I very much think my current job today is thanks to a program like this. 

Kyle Hudson - Class of 2016 - Kyle is a graduate of the program and Ballston Spa High School.  

What college or university are you attending or have attended?
New York Law School  

What is/was your college graduation date?
May 2024

Where are you currently employed?
New York Community Bank, a Division of Flagstar Bank

Share news, accomplishments, or anything you would like to share:
2018 HVCC Presidents Honor Willie A. Hammett Student Service Award, elected investment club president at HVCC and CUNY CSI, served on the executive board of the HVCC Student Senate and HVCC Foundation Board of Directors as a student representative, graduated with honors from CUNY CSI, made Branch Leadership for New York Community Bank in 2022 while attending law school in the evening. 

What do you see as the biggest benefit you received from the program?
A change in mentality in regards to approaching real world issues and how to articulate a conceptual response. 

Sarah Meisel- Class of 2015 - Sarah is a graduate of the program and Mechanicville High School.  She is in her second year at Cedarville University, majoring in Visual Communication Design and Graphic Design and a minor in Motion Graphics.

What do you value most from your time in the ECHS Program?
I value the relationships I made here and the relationship we had with the teachers.  I also valued the experience of the Expo.

What skills do you most often use from your time in the ECHS Program?
Public speaking and time management.

What advice would you give to a current ECHS student?
Ask Questions!  Don't be afraid to approach the teacher or professors.  They want to help you.

Career Aspirations:  I want to be a designer.  I'm going to explore my options in graphic design, product design, and web design.

Jacob Fortin- Class of 2015 - Jake is in his second year at Lyndon State College in Vermont, majoring in Atmospheric Science and Electronic Journalism Arts.  

What do you value most from your time in the ECHS Program? 
I value most the time and lessons learned here at TEC-SMART, in and out of class. The family I made and the people I met have forever changed me, nowhere have I been able to learn and grow. I value the business skills I learned, how to keep professional relationships with them. I am so glad I was able to learn how to present myself in professional situations. 

What skills do you most often use from your time in the ECHS Program?
Time management, collaboration, communication, and innovation.  These skills are used every day in college life. Whether it has do with dorm life or school work, these skills come into play. I am constantly trying to fit everything I need to and want to do into my day. Being able to know how to manage my time before college was a blessing, I noticed how many kids would fall behind. Being able to work with others had helped me to get group labs done well and on time. Communication surrounds us, and the program has given me skills to dominate this field and the other skills that make someone successful.  Emailing professors about school work and class, making phone calls for clubs to get gift donations for their events, or just trying to make plans with friends. 

What advice would you give to a current ECHS student?
Take your time to really figure out what you are good at. Are you a communicator, leader, or researcher? Use these open ended projects to find areas of interest to you. Really take the time on these projects and figuring out where you fall when it comes to completing a task. Everyone is import no matter how small. One bolt missing can cause everything to fail. Also, remember that it’s going to be challenging, remember when you fail to get back up and try. Anything in life worth doing is going to be hard. This how I figured out what I wanted to do, and that is broadcast meteorologist.  I learned that my communication skills are going to push me forward, and doing the science and research I know that this is the right fit for me.

Is there someone who inspired you during your time in the program, and why?
Each professor and teacher here. They all always motivated my ideas and pushed me forward. They showed me how to work and help others.  They all have inspired me to be great. I want to take this inspiration and inspire others.

Is there anything else you want to say to current or prospective students?
This is a program like no other. I love being able to say that I went to an Early College High School. I am proud to say that this program has shaped me into a successful college student, and a compassionate forward thinking citizen. This program has made me realize how much I love science, and finding the answer to my questions. This program has made me a thinker and an innovator, which has opened so many doors for me. It has shown me to be passionate in what you’re doing. TEC-SMART made me… me. 

Tyler Schmidt-Class of 2015 - Tyler is in his second year at The College of St. Rose, majoring in Music Industry.  While attending St. Rose, he is also maintaining a part time job at Dunkin Donuts.  Tyler plans on getting a job right after graduation, aspiring for a career as a producer.  

What do you value most from your time in the ECHS Program?  
The ability to learn in a different style and in a unique environment.

What skills do you most often use from your time in the ECHS Program?
Time Management.

What advice would you give to a current ECHS student?
Take advantage of all the opportunities you are given here.

Is there someone who inspired you during your time in the program, and why?
Everyone, it was a great place to learn. 

Is there anything else you want to say to current or prospective students?
It is worth the work! 

DJ Canty- Class of 2016 - DJ is a graduate of the program and Saratoga Springs High School.  He is in his first year at Adirondack Community College, continuing to major in Computer Science.

What do you value most from your time in the ECHS Program?
First  of all the positive atmosphere that surrounds this program made my last years of high school memorable.  I also valued the college credits I accrued that transferred to ACC. 

What skills do you most often use from your time in the ECHS Program?
Problem solving and group work.  In Computer Science, both of these are implemented on a regular basis.

What advice would you give to a current ECHS student?
Value this program.  It is an amazing opportunity for your age group and really gets you ready for college.  Don't slack in your college classes, because it takes a lot to improve your GPA.

Career Aspirations:  Computer programming.  Working from home for Google.