Orleans/Niagara BOCES receives award for top float in Medina Parade of Lights

Photo courtesy of Jim Hancock: Ginny Kropf, grand marshal of Medina’s Parade of Lights on Nov. 30, presents a plaque to Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ principal Nicole Goyette for the school’s float being chosen as the parade’s grand champion. The prize also included a check for $500.

MEDINA – Of the nearly 50 floats entered in Medina’s annual Parade of Lights Nov. 30, The Orleans/Niagara BOCES emerged as the grand champion.

 This morning, Jim Hancock, chair of the Parade of Lights committee, accompanied parade grand marshal Ginny Kropf to BOCES to present the the school with its much-deserved plaque for earning first place. BOCES also received a check for $500 for the top entry.

BOCES principal Nicole Goyette accepted the plaque, saying she is a firm believer it is important for the students to do things in the community.

“We tried to involve as many students as possible,” Goyette said.

Photos courtesy of Nicole Goyette: Niagara-Orleans BOCES award-winning float in Medina’s Parade of Lights had a theme of “On Track for Bright Futures.” 

The float had the theme of “On Track for Bright Futures” and featured a track around the flatbed with a toy train running; an eight-foot metal Christmas tree with thousands of green lights; and a fire pit around which students sat during the parade.

Students in the welding class fabricated the track and Christmas tree out of scrap metal and rebar. Automotive technology students wired the train with a toggle switch, and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering students created the fire pit, with a fog machine to simulate smoke. Diesel program students had previously restored an antique 1954 John Deere 40U tractor, which followed the float in the parade. Graphics students made the sign describing the float.

“BOCES has always had beautiful floats,” Hancock said.

(Left) BOCES students string some of the thousands of green lights on the giant Christmas tree made from scrap metal which highlighted their award-winning float. (Right) A BOCES student welds a track out of scrap metal on a flatbed which would become the grand champion float in the Parade of Lights.

In all, Goyette said about 20 students and staff were involved in creating their float.

This is the sixth year BOCES has entered a float in the Parade of Lights and the first time they have won a prize.

“We were thrilled with the prize money,” Goyette said. “We are using it to help students who need materials for their classes, but can’t afford it. This includes work boots, tools, test equipment for nursing students and kits for cosmetology.

“It really comes in handy,” Goyette said.

Goyette said the kids have asked if next year they could keep the float and take it to Albion’s parade, which is what they plan to do.

A fire pit created by BOCES’ Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (Machining) class was surrounded by students on their float in the Parade of Lights.

The idea for BOCES to have a float in the Parade of Lights was initially suggested by Auto Technology teacher Bob Winters, and the school has supported it ever since.

“The kids already have an idea for next year’s float,” Goyette said.

Hancock said they give out almost $4,000 in prize money to parade entrants, in addition to a plaque.

The Parade of Lights takes place every year on the last Saturday in November, at the end of Olde Tyme Christmas in Medina.