ITHACA, NY — The Rotary Club of Ithaca honored Nicole Morrow as the Career and Tech Student of the Year at the CTE Completer Ceremony held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Tompkins Cortland Community College. The award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize, recognizes a student who exemplifies the values of career and technical education through excellence in skill, character, and leadership. Nicole, a senior at Dryden High School and an Animal Science program completer, was celebrated for her dedication, technical expertise, and impact both in and beyond the classroom.
“Nicole is the most deserving, hardest-working student I have ever had the privilege to teach,” stated her Animal Science instructor, Mattea LeFever. “She doesn’t simply show up. Nicole elevates the entire program with her presence.”
Nicole’s passion for animals began in childhood, growing up with dogs and working at Daisy Hollow Farm from the age of 12. When she enrolled in the Animal Science program at TST BOCES, she found not only the hands-on learning she had been seeking, but also a deeper sense of purpose and confidence.
“I always loved animals, but Animal Science confirmed that I want to make this my career,” Nicole shared. “It taught me the value of hard work and consistency. Even when there’s no immediate reward, you have to keep moving forward.”
At TST BOCES, Nicole mastered a range of technical skills, including animal restraint, medical record keeping in Avimark, diagnostic testing, and physical exams. She applied these skills in the student-run day kennel, BARK, and through internships at Adana Veterinary Clinic and Great Forest Veterinary Housecalls, where she now works part-time helping with boarding cats and running lab tests.
“Nicole performs physical exams, runs lab diagnostics, temperament tests dogs for group play, and communicates with clients. She’s already working like a true veterinary technician,” said LeFever. “Her work is thorough, professional, and compassionate.”
Nicole’s accomplishments extend well beyond the lab. She is a National Honor Society member, co-Vice President of the SkillsUSA chapter, a Varsity Track athlete, and captain of the Girls Soccer team. In February, she and her team earned 1st place in the NYS Regional SkillsUSA Promotional Bulletin Board competition with a board titled "Ignite Your Potential," inspired by Tangled’s lantern imagery. The theme encouraged all SkillsUSA members to recognize their own talent and potential.
She also placed 3rd in the Veterinary Science event at the NYS FFA competition, and was recognized as the Distinguished Youth Award recipient for June 2025. In her personal time, Nicole fosters kittens and volunteers with CNY SNAP.
“Nicole is a born leader and a team player,” LeFever stated. “She manages her time impeccably and lifts those around her. Her initiative, communication skills, and drive are second to none.”
This fall, Nicole will attend SUNY Canton, where she will study Veterinary Technology and compete as a dual-sport athlete in Girls Soccer and Cross Country. After completing her degree, she plans to attend veterinary school and eventually open her own clinic, ideally in Tennessee, where she dreams of living on a hobby farm with goats, cows, pigs, and ducks.
Looking back on her time at TST BOCES, Nicole credits the program not just with helping her develop technical skills, but with transforming how she sees herself.
“I went in unsure of my academic ability and came out confident and excited to start college,” she said.
To younger students considering CTE, Nicole offers this advice:
“If there’s something that even slightly sparks your interest, definitely go. You can try it out and see if it’s right for you,” she said.
“It was the best decision I made in my high school career, to go to TST and get all the hands-on learning. Even if you don’t end up pursuing that path, you’ll gain valuable experiences, not just about school, but about how to be a better person. I would encourage everyone to go and take that opportunity.”
Nicole graduates with a technical endorsement and the Career & Tech Seal of Excellence, symbolizing her achievement in both technical mastery and employability.
“In every possible way, Nicole represents the absolute best of what CTE offers,” said LeFever. “Her integrity, her drive, and her genuine love for animal care make her not just an exceptional student, but a future leader in veterinary medicine.”
Congratulations, Nicole, on being chosen as the 2025 CTE Student of the Year!