Sara Puccio of OU BOCES selected as an Orange County Rising Star

Oct 11 2022 12:19 PM

Sara Puccio, Orange-Ulster BOCES Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education, is one of 23 individuals who have been selected as 2022 Orange County Rising Stars. The Rising Stars either live, work or volunteer in Orange County and will be honored at an event to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 at The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown from 5:30-8:30pm.

“Keep your eyes on the names of the 2022 Rising Stars for they are today’s explorers in what is possible for Orange County,” said Trish Chelsen, Junior League of Orange County President. “We are witnessing a future filled with innovation and heart, but most importantly, hope.”
Sara has spent the last 13 years providing educational and work-based learning opportunities for hundreds of students across Orange County. In both her roles as a Special Education teacher and as a school administrator, Sara has tirelessly committed herself to bringing robust, meaningful learning experiences to all of her students.

“Sara’s visionary leadership led to the implementation of the Orange-Ulster BOCES Transition Fair, Including Communities Program as well as a multitude of non-traditional learning opportunities for our students,” said Kathleen Smith, Director of Career and Technical Education and Adult Practical Nurse Program at )U BOCES. “Sara is an inspiration to all who have the privilege of working with her. Her optimism, focus and determination are certainly the catalyst of all of her future endeavors.”

Junior League of Orange County, Leadership Orange, and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce partnered in 2006 to create an opportunity to recognize emerging community leaders that were making remarkable contributions in a public forum. Each year as many as 40 individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who are up-and-coming leaders in their professional and volunteer lives are recognized.

This year’s honorees are: