Windsor Central High School students took immediate steps toward their futures on Thursday, whether their plans include college or immediate entry into the workforce.

WCHS’ Class of 2024 was instantly admitted to SUNY Broome during the shared admission event, the Windsor CSD/SUNY Broome College Express Partnership. This is the fifth year of the College Express Partnership. Windsor Central High School’s Class of 2020 became the first full class in history to be immediately admitted to SUNY Broome.

Whether students plan to attend SUNY Broome, have other post-high school plans or are still uncertain, they will have the opportunity to attend their local community college following graduation. While completing their senior year of high school, they can also engage in free “learning workshops,” regardless of whether they choose to attend SUNY Broome. Workshops will include such topics as scholarships, financial aid, advising, housing, placement assessment and more.

“This was very helpful. I would have been able to do this on my own, but this made it much easier,” said WCHS senior Grace Deyo, who will study Liberal Arts at SUNY Broome. “I don’t know what I want to do yet. This will be much less expensive. I won’t’ have as much debt. I’ll do my two years at SUNY Broome then transfer to a four-year college, get the same degree as I would if I went there for four years, and it will be much cheaper.”

“The College Express Partnership has been a wonderful benefit to our students as they’ve weighed their academic and professional choices after graduation. The College Express Partnership shows them how accessible higher education can be, and the workshops available at this event will help them in whatever avenue they choose,” said Dr. Jason Andrews, Superintendent of the Windsor Central School District.

"Meeting our prospective students where they are by visiting their high schools and letting them know there is a home for them at SUNY Broome, is an important step to making a college education accessible to all," Dr. Tony D. Hawkins, President of SUNY Broome, said. "We welcome this wonderful group of Black Knights and look forward to their exciting new journey to become Hornets."

Immediately following the SUNY Broome event, WCHS hosted a job fair in the gymnasium with over 20 employers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Raymond Corporation, and Visions Federal Credit Union. 

“We’re looking for potential employees to try to interest them in future jobs in civil engineering and other positions: environmental engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, CDL drivers. We’re looking for anyone that deals with building and maintenance of bridges, roads, and highway systems,” Marco Radicchi, Regional Construction Engineer for NYS DOT Region 9.

WCHS senior Brendon Dixon visited the fair. He plans to most likely work in the culinary field after high school.

“I enjoyed listening to all the different opportunities I could take advantage of with my experience. There’s construction, welding, and a lot of opportunities to go into college if I ever want to go into the field of manufacturing for different companies,” said Dixon.

After WCHS seniors attended the job fair, members of the junior and sophomore classes did the same.  

“Our goal is to support all our students, no matter what career path they are choosing after high school: college, workforce, or military,” said WCHS principal Toby Youngs.