The Scholar Recognition Program was an initiative of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce to enhance relationships between the business community, schools, and institutions of higher and continuing education.   At a celebration banquet, the program recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement by a member of the graduating classes of the public, private and parochial secondary schools in the DCMO and ONC BOCES supervisory areas.  It also recognizes the mentors who had a significant and beneficial influence on his/her education. Student representatives are chosen on the basis of scholarship, as well as leadership and service to his or her school and community. Mentors can be from any grade level and any subject area, from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Business, community, and higher education organizations sponsor a school table.  Their contributions offset the banquet expenses cost and provide the opportunity for the students and mentors to enjoy a special recognition event with family, school administrators, and sponsors.

Schools select a scholar to be honored, and the student chooses a mentor to be recognized.  DCMO BOCES coordinates the banquets and captures their stories in a program book. 

The Scholar Recognition planning committee consists of representatives of Mang Insurance, DCMO BOCES, ONC BOCES, Catskill Area School Study Council, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College,SUNY Delhi, NBT Bank, and Alan Lincourt Photography.

What is the purpose of the program? 
To enhance relationships between the business community, schools, and institutions of higher and continuing education while recognizing outstanding scholastic achievement by a member of the graduating classes of the public, private and parochial secondary schools in the DCMO and ONC BOCES supervisory area. The program also recognizes teachers nominated by each student scholar for having a significant and beneficial influence on his/her education. 

How will students be selected for the program? 
Student representatives should be chosen on the basis of scholarship, as well as leadership and service to his or her school and/or community. Local grades, Regents scores, and other formal measures may be used. Local school administrators will be given considerable leeway in choosing the student to represent their schools.  Please take into consideration the student’s availability to attend the banquet when making the final choice.

How will teachers be selected? 
Selected student scholars will be asked to identify the teacher, mentor, coach, or administrator who has had a significant and beneficial influence on his/her education.  The student will then, in 100 words or less, state how that person has made a difference in his/her education.

What will the information obtained be used for?
The information obtained, along with a jpeg photo of the teacher and the student (individually), will be used in recognizing students the evening of the banquet.  Additionally, the information will be used in the Scholar Recognition Banquet Booklet, which will be distributed at the Banquet and will be printed in the Daily Star publication on the week of the banquet.  Additional copies will be provided to all students at the event.

Ginger Rinaldo
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services
(607) 335-1445

Martha Ryan
Enrichment Coordinator
(607) 335-1292

Kerry Simmons
Administrative Assistant for Instructional Support Services
(607) 335-1360