— Photo by Mike McCagg of BOCES

Distant desks: More than 50 students are enrolled in the Capital Region BOCES Pathways in Technology Early College High School, known as P - TECH, as it launches its third year. The four- to six-year program allows high school students to earn free college degrees, working with Hudson Valley and Schenectady county community colleges, in computer science, computer information systems and cybersecurity. “P-TECH allows me to earn college credits and gives me a better opportunity than I would receive otherwise,” said Alyssa Ingle from Guilderland, at left. I want to go into biomedical engineering and help soldiers returning home without limbs be able to high five a friend, or hold their own kids again,” said Ingle.