YORKTOWN HEIGHTS – Teachers at The Tech Center of Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES celebrated their “best and brightest” students at a recent Student of Distinction ceremony, held in the amphitheater on BOCES’ Yorktown campus.

Cosmetology student Lindsay Rini (Mahopac) “participates wholeheartedly in everything our department does,” says her teacher Abigail Kapps;

Floral Design and Shop Management teacher Annmarie Santulli described Christine Salese (Mahopac) as having a “bright, bright future in window dressing”;

Gloria Zhingri (Mahopac), a Business and Information Systems student, has a high academic average at Tech as well as in her Advanced Placement courses at Mahopac High School, says teacher Josephine Scala;

Health Care student Collin Speed (Brewster) is a hit at the nursing home he is currently doing a rotation at, says teacher Leslie Green, “talking to the residents, dancing with the residents, speaking German with the residents”;

Kailyn Riefenhauser (Mahopac) is a “strong teacher, excellent lesson planner, and wonderful role model” in the Introduction to Teaching class, according to her teacher Darlene Merrill;

TV Production student Margaret Welch, a “remarkable young lady,” says teacher Liz Marques, has a high academic average, takes AP classes in Lakeland, and always goes “one step beyond” – she videotapes Scout troop visits to the TV Production studio, edits them, and gives copies to the parents of the Scouts;

Tim Joyce (North Salem), a student in Al Cotoia’s Carpentry class, has “a tremendous work ethic and goes over and above what he’s asked to do”;

Dennis Knapp (Peekskill) “asks questions, gets involved, and shows compassion and understanding” during his four-hour class in Auto Mechanics, says teacher Kevin Berge;

Pastry Arts teacher Jenn Guiffre could not say enough about student Chelsea Geyer (Mahopac) – she has “a strong work ethic and inspires us all to be the best we can be.”

Tech Center Students of Distinction, chosen quarterly because of their leadership qualities, academic performance, and positive attitude, are honored with a certificate and breakfast with family and friends.