Bowen RodriguezNORWOOD – Bowen Rodriguez, a student at Canton Central School, has been named Potsdam Rotary Club Student of the Month for January at The Seaway Career & Technical Education Center. He is a student in the Metalworking Program and the son of Leigh Rodriguez and Jason Rodriguez.
As a student in Metalworking, Bowen is involved in entry level welding, cutting, fabrication and repair of metals. Students learn the foundation skills in various aspects of the welding world. Students also have an opportunity to test for structural welding certifications as well as complete a work-based learning internship locally in the field.
Upon completion of the program, students wishing to continue in the field have several options. One of which is to continue their training with a trade school program. Some students choose to join a related union and gain an apprenticeship training program opportunity. Some students go directly into the workforce in the welding field working and gaining experience to expand their skills.
The instructor, Nanci Collins, has said the following about her student: “Bowen is a kind-hearted, easy-going, and positive individual. He works hard and is extremely helpful in encouraging his peers in class to raise the bar and often mentors them on tasks they may be having difficulty with. He is a student leader and has been directly involved in the recruitment of future metalworking students. He deserves recognition for all of the hard work he has done in the shop and classroom. Bowen recently used his welding skills while playing in a local hockey tournament when he made mid-game repairs and welded a part on the Zamboni so the games could continue. We are very proud of him for doing this and saving the day for many eager hockey players including himself”.
Students selected as Program Student of the Month for their class at Seaway Career & Technical Education Center include Joshua Aldous, Building Trades, Canton; Cheyenne Wilson, Cosmetology, Brasher, Cassandra Cook, Criminal Justice, Evelynne Birdou, Health Careers, and Caden LaPrade, HVAC/R, all of Massena, Jacob Perry, Natural Resource Management, Parishville-Hopkinton, and Annabelle Morin, Software Development and Business Design, Potsdam.
