WSWHE BOCES instructor honored with SkillsUSA award

HUDSON FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Nick Zwart of Hudson Falls' Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (WSWHE BOCES) was selected as the recipient of the national SkillsUSA Hall of Champions award. Zwart, a culinary instructor and SkillsUSA Office Team Manager was nominated for the award because of his dedication to helping students develop personal, workplace, and technical skills in academics.

Zwart will receive his award at the 2024 National Leadership and Skills Competition on June 25 in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been an instructor and SkillsUSA advisor for WSWHE BOCES at the Southern Adirondack Education Center since 2013.

In 2020, Zwart was the lead SkillsUSA advisor because of his passion for mentoring and inspiring students to pursue the culinary field. In 2021, he was honored as the SkillsUSA New York Area 3 Advisor of the Year.

Executive Director of SkillsUSA Chelle Travis said Zwart's involvement over the years is a huge contribution to New York State's technical education. "He is the first to say his involvement in SkillsUSA has been both life-changing and rewarding," she said.