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Cornell University

Energy & Climate Change

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins

Energy Warriors Celebrate 2024 Graduation Ceremony

  • Nine people standing in a half-circle to receive certificates, with others seated at tables watching.
  • People seated at tables in a conference room listening to a man speak.
  • A young person gestures while speaking to a room of people.
  • People seated at tables in a conference room with a speaker stands at the front.
  • A person speaking while facing people seated around.
  • People at tables clapping while graduates return to their seats.

Tompkins County’s Energy Warriors Celebrate 2024 Graduation Ceremony

On a cool, sunny morning in early July, members of the Energy Warriors — Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County’s clean energy workforce training program — gathered to celebrate their graduation. The ceremony recognized and honored two community members who had just completed the program, three who have finished some aspects of the training, and two alumni now employed at CCE Tompkins.

People sitting at tables in a packed conference room, one at the front speaking.

“As the author Chinua Achebe said, ‘There is a difference between what is ours and what is mine.’ This program is ours. It belongs to all of us,” shared Energy Warriors Director Aloja Airewele to introduce the event, before inviting partners and graduates to reflect together on their involvement and experiences.

Speakers included representatives from a number of local partner organizations and nonprofits, each sharing how their program plays a role in environmental education, career training, sustainable infrastructure, or support for those facing barriers to employment.

Environmental Literacy + Career Training

The Energy Warriors training includes six weeks of in-classroom training and field trips, solar and weatherization boot camps, and hands-on activities. Those who complete the training receive state certifications and connections to employers.

Last year, an additional practical connection was added, the Cozy Basements program, which offers free rim joist insulation to qualifying local residents. Over 60 homes have been served so far, with Energy Warriors installing the insulation themselves in order to receive practical experience and visualize what they’ve learned in the classroom.

“Cozy Basements was wonderful. I wish we had more work, I’d still be doing it,” said graduate Zutiyah Graham — going on to highlight the ways that trainees were rewarded for exploring topics outside of the day’s lessons, such as learning about architectural drawings and how to assess windows.

“We make a difference,” added Anthony “Sunny” Sundquist. “It’s a small difference, but after we leave a house that’s better off, that’s helping the environment.”

Thank you to those who participated in the Energy Warriors graduation, including Bloc Power, the College Initiative Upstate, Finger Lakes ReUse, Ithaca Area Economic Development Direct to Work Program, Sustainable Finger Lakes, Tompkins County Workforce Development and TST BOCES.

Learn more about the Energy Warriors program at CCETompkins.org/EnergyWarriors.