West Seneca, NY (Feb. 1, 2010) - Blood pressures were elevated and statistics were rolling off the lips, as honor-level students from across the region engaged in debates as part of Erie 1 BOCES' New Vision programs. The program debates, based at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Medaille College, exemplified student knowledge and understanding of various complex topics in front of a live audience.

High school seniors from Erie 1 BOCES Connections program, who spend approximately two hours of each school day at the hospital learning about health careers from practicing professionals, debated the topics of: genetic engineering in human embryos; malpractice settlements; mandates regarding vaccinations; and birth control for minors. High school seniors from the Legal Academy program, who work onsite with law-related professionals for approximately two hours of each school day, debated the topic of legalizing same sex marriage in New York State.

Each session entailed opening and closing remarks, while the bulk of the debates resembled a well played tennis match. Parents, doctors, public servants, hospital and school administrators were in attendance. At the end of each debate a winning team was named by the panel of judges.

Erie 1 BOCES provides some of the most exciting one- and two-year educational opportunities available as part of public education to high school students in western New York. More than 25 career and technical education programs are offered to 11th and 12th graders at three state-of-the-art career and technical centers: Harkness, Kenton, and Potter as well as various off-site locations. Career and technical education programs are designed to provide a hands-on experience that reflects the real world of work in career fields of student interest. High school students interested in learning more about these programs should speak with their school counselor or visit www.e1b.org.

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Media Contact:

Candace Reimer, Dir. of Communications

Erie 1 BOCES

Office:(716) 821-7193

E-mail: creimer@e1b.org

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