Local roots, global skills Nathan Hale-Ray High School agriscience program takes center stage

Submitted by East Haddam schools

Agriculture students who earned their “Fear Free Pet Sitter” certification.

Payton Balducci, Future Farmers of America president with Faith Kalisz, Future Farmers of America secretary.

The scent of fresh flowers and a sense of pride filled the room at a recent board of education meeting as the Nathan Hale-Ray High School agriscience program took center stage.

The evening served as a vibrant celebration of student achievement and a bold new vision for agricultural education within the district. The presentation began with a heartfelt tribute to the board of education, as Superintendent Dr. DeBrito officially recognized March as “board of education member month,” a designation by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. To mark the occasion, students from Felicia Garrard’s class crafted custom floral arrangements for the members — a gesture the board praised for both its beauty and its perfect timing.

Principal Christopher Eckert introduced the driving forces behind the program’s success: veteran teacher Cheryl Carberry and Garrard. Together, they described a program that has evolved far beyond traditional farming into a diverse, modern curriculum. The high school facilities now include what staff describe as a “spacious zoo” housing various species ranging from “warm and fuzzy” mammals to fish and reptiles, alongside a greenhouse, and a sugar house.

The program maintains its own 18-passenger bus and a five-passenger truck to ensure students have reliable access to off-site, hands-on learning opportunities. Ms. Carberry emphasized that the program prides itself on maintaining a diverse classroom environment where every student, regardless of grade level, is welcomed and challenged to grow.

A major highlight of the night was the formal recognition of the first cohort of students in the companion animal UConn ECE (early college experience) class, which was integrated as a key component of the veterinary technician course. These students achieved more than just high marks - they earned their “Fear Free Pet Sitter” certification, a professional industry credential.

By combining college-level coursework with the practical demands of the vet tech curriculum, the program ensures that students are gaining both the academic credits and the hands-on certifications necessary for a competitive edge in the animal science field. Ms. Garrard, who brings more than a decade of experience as a certified veterinary technician, announced plans to expand these certifications further this fall by introducing the RECOVER initiative, which teaches students the industry standards for performing veterinary CPR.

The leadership of the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter, which has been chartered since 1941, also addressed the crowd to share the organization's mission of developing premier leadership and career success.

Chapter president and Nathan Hale-Ray junior Payton Balducci, along with secretary and Nathan Hale-Ray senior Faith Kalisz, highlighted the various ways members stay active - from attending national conventions and leadership workshops to participating in community service and the annual wreath fundraiser. The staff also shared a lighthearted tradition where they take a photo in a local corn maze each year to send to principal Eckert, playfully reminding him that they are “outstanding in their field.”

Looking toward the future, the agriscience team is encouraged by the administration to “dream big” as they plan the next decade of growth. Key goals include a significant expansion of the horticulture curriculum and greenhouse facilities, as well as the revitalization of the popular dog-grooming lab to meet high community demand.

Additionally, the program aims to offer extended learning through virtual modalities and increase the number of UConn ECE credit offerings, particularly in the realm of plant science. As the meeting concluded, it was clear that the collaboration between the staff and the community has created a flourishing environment where East Haddam’s students are prepared for success in college, career, and citizenship.