Teen doesn't mind being only girl in BOCES heavy equipment program

On Board Online • June 13, 2016

By Elizabeth Wright

"My friends think I'm insane," says Samantha "Sami" Holmes, a junior at Burnt Hills High School. This year, she has been the only girl enrolled in the morning Heavy Equipment class at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs.

The other 39 students are all boys in the Heavy Equipment class run by Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

"At first, I was a little worried about being the only girl in class, but I got used to it," she said. "They're all nice."

Boys in the class say having a girl in the class is unusual, but no big deal. "It's no different than working with a guy," said Dan Plowinske, a senior from Scotia-Glenville High School. "She knows what she's doing."

He added: "I'd work for her. I'd hire her."

Did you catch that unusual compliment? That he'd work for her?

That might have something to do with the fact that Holmes just might inherit a heavy equipment business. Holmes' father owns an excavating company in Saratoga County. Much to her dad's delight, she's interested in taking over the company. But first, she plans to go to college and study business.

Having grown up around vehicles with hydraulic pumps and Caterpillar treads, big machines don't intimidate her. "I've always wanted to drive trucks, dump trucks, and tractor-trailers," said Holmes. "I drive the biggest truck to school."

She said career and technical education suits her well. "It's more hands-on than being stuck in a class all day. I like operating the loaders the best." Plus, there's the "outside thing." That is, she likes being outside as much as possible.

"We're finding more and more young women enrolling in class," said Greg Hammond, who co-teachers the heavy equipment course with Ken Brooks. "The opportunities in the industry are huge! There are a lot of opportunities in this area with the farmers and the counties."

This coming fall, Holmes will be among students doing internships with local construction companies, highway departments of local governments and other employers. These experiences help students develop personal initiative, confidence, teamwork, positive attitudes and professional behavior. Those "soft skills" are a big part of being employable, Hammond said.

One of Holmes' classmates, Nicholas Robson, a senior from Burnt Hills High School, said it's been good to have her in the heavy equipment class. "In the beginning it was different, but it's good. She knows a lot." He said he'd absolutely work for her.

Elizabeth Wright is public information specialist for WSWHE BOCES.