Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Educational Foundation Inc

Gwenn thinks she would have dropped out of high school if it wasn’t for the Criminal Justice program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. The Southwestern high school senior and National Technical Honor Society member has found her passion and is committed to the work she’s found at the Hewes Educational Center.

“If I didn’t go to BOCES I probably would have dropped out, being 100 percent honest. Here, everything is way more hands-on,” she said. “When I first started coming here, BOCES was all I could think about, all I could talk about and I was so excited to come to school. I’m in the National Technical Honor Society so I can only miss five days of school and if I wasn’t at BOCES I would not be coming to school.”

  When she’s not in the classroom, Gwenn can be found hunting, fishing, logging, or training rescue dogs. For seven years, her family has fostered dozens of English pointers and hunting dogs left for dead. That sense of duty for the greater good is something that drives Gwenn as she pursues a career in the Air Force.

“I knew I wanted to enter the military because it’s like a family, and all of the benefits and opportunities that the military offers you is amazing. I’ll get to travel and see different sides of the world and behind the scenes. I feel like I’ll be making a difference and doing something important in the military,” she said. “Long from now, after I retired from the Air Force, I’d like to train dogs again for law enforcement or the military.”

Real-world tasks like balancing a checkbook or dressing appropriately are part of the Criminal Justice program and lessons Gwenn appreciates.

“BOCES is hands-on so it keeps you engaged in the class. We’re getting up, going outside to exam a crime scene, doing PT, running around, or doing stuff with partners,” she said. “Here, I’ve learned I’m a very good leader and I’ve learned that I like to work and help other people.”

Our Mission: To support and enhance educational opportunities for Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES students.  We pursue donations and grants to create opportunities for BOCES students and component districts.