Orange-Ulster BOCES Student of the Year Nominee

Submitted by Regina T. Cieslak

 

Our candidate for student of the year is Marie Hochteil.  Marie is a lovely soft spoken woman who always has a smile on her face no matter what is happening in her life.  We felt that Marie represented all that we would want our Adult students to be able to accomplish.

I met Marie when she was a C N A student at our Newburgh site.  She had earned her GED through our GRASP program and was on the way to becoming a nurse, step by step.  She loved working with the patients but knew that she wanted to do more, becoming a LPN was her goal.

In order to realize her dream, Marie had to pass an entrance exam.   For Marie the exam was difficult, so she came in on her days off to get additional tutoring to pass the test and enroll at last in the LPN course. We were all so proud of her when she was accepted into the program.

This past year has not been easy for her, in addition to the rigorous school and study schedule, her son joined the military and went to Iraq she was heart sick and worried but she kept on going.  As a mother of 6 children the family made huge sacrifices so that Marie could attend school full time. 

I happened to have been transferred to where she is and she often comes in to see me for a little moral support.  The course has been challenging for her but she has risen to the challenge.  She is days away from completion of the course and we are all so very proud of her! I know that I for one will not have dry eyes when I see her walking down the aisle at the recognition ceremony.

I can’t think of a more deserving candidate for this award.  I feel Marie gives hope to all of us who see a challenge, accept and conquer it.