Brian Cipriano, Leidy Cruz, Ryan Walker, students at Hicksville High School and BOCES Nassau Tech, were recently inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society. Cipriano is an aviation operations student and a second-year member; Cruz is a medical assisting student and a new member; and Walker is a culinary arts student and a new member. To be selected as a candidate, the teens had to maintain a high-grade point average in both their home school and Nassau Tech and have excellent attendance records. Since the inception of Nassau Tech's chapter of the honor society four years ago, the number of students eligible has grown from 20 the first year to 53 members currently.

During the induction ceremony, the students were presented with certificates and then took part in a candle lighting ceremony that symbolized the purpose of the organization. Administrators and teachers were also on hand to congratulate the teens for their hard work.

Nassau Tech is part of the public school system. It's operated by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County and offers training in more than 37 career fields, ranging from aviation to police science to practical nursing. Youngsters attend a Nassau Tech Center for a part of each school day and spend the remaining time at their home high schools. After graduating, they are prepared to compete successfully for jobs or to enter college programs in their chosen field.