The Broome-Tioga BOCES Wars Day brings out over 70 local businesses to judge students as they showcase the skills they've picked up over their two years in the career and technical excellence program.

Matt Sheehan, BOCES Director of the Center for Technical Excellence says, "I was watching the judges talking about how kids are, their listening skills, their professional skills, and what they were doing. And that leads to them getting employment, which is what this is really about, and that's something we're about here in Career Tech Ed BOCES, is how do we get these kids to their employment? That's lifelong employment and not just a job. "

The event hosts six competitions, including heavy equipment repair and operation, carpentry, video production, graphic design, cosmetology, and culinary arts.

Culinary Student Yasr Ismail says, "It's a little stressful because it's a very like big project and so it was a little stressful but honestly, with everybody around, since we all like this family, we just feel like we're at home. "

As the students explore different career paths, events like these can give them the extra push to pursue options in that field.

This is especially true for Howland, who's had a pretty good idea of what she wants to do in the future.

"I wanted to do culinary arts since I went to daycare here. So since I went to daycare here I've really wanted to go. I think I'm going to take a year off, but I am working at a couple of local restaurants right now," said Culinary Student Madeline Howland.

With over 400 students involved in "Wars Day", it's an event that not only inspires students as they move on but also kids looking to join a program in the following years.