MAVA Hosts 37th Outstanding Student Awards


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Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) Hosts 37th Outstanding Student Awards

April 18, 2023 Kayla Rochon

 

Commissioner of the Massachusetts DESE Jeffrey C. Riley speaks at MAVA Outstanding Student Awards at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators is pleased to announce that it recently recognized the top vocational technical and agricultural high school students in the state at the 37th Annual Outstanding Vocational Student Awards. The award ceremony was held Thursday, April 13 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. More than 50 vocational and technical students were recognized with the Outstanding Technical Student award by MAVA and the Massachusetts Career & Technical Educators Organization (MassCTE). These students have shown outstanding academic performance throughout the year and actively engaged in service to their school and community.

Vocational and Technical students and families attend the MAVA Outstanding Student Awards on Thursday, April 13, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

The ceremony began with introductions from Hunter Claffin, SkillsUSA National Officer at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational High School student. A welcome message was offered by Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Timothy P.Murray. “I am here as a father of two daughters who attend Worcester Technical High School, so first-hand I understand what it takes to get to a day like today, through the students who work so hard through the course of their career. But also having the support of teachers, educators, and administrators, who really help put this event together,” Murray. “Whether it’s career or college or some combination of both our students are ready and the students that are being recognized today are exemplars for what that’s about.”

President of MassCTE Kyla Martin speaks to students and families about their commitment to excellence during MAVA’s Outstanding Student Awards.

The ceremony began with introductions from Hunter Claffin, SkillsUSA National Officer at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational High School student. A welcome message was offered by Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Timothy P.Murray.

“I am here as a father of two daughters who attend Worcester Technical High School, so first-hand I understand what it takes to get to a day like today, through the students who work so hard through the course of their career. But also having the support of teachers, educators, and administrators, who really help put this event together,” Murray. “Whether it’s career or college or some combination of both our students are ready and the students that are being recognized today are exemplars for what that’s about.” State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said statistics show engagement in students in grades K-12 is in decline in comprehensive high schools, but not technical schools. “Vocational students can see the connection to the real world. They can see what this has to do with the life they are about to enter,” said Commissioner Riley.

MassCTE President Kyla Martin spoke about the exceptional dedication and performance award shown by recipients. “Whether they chose to enter the work force directly after graduation or continue their education, students who participate in technical education programs are well positioned to succeed,” Martin said. “So, I say to you, continue setting and achieving your goals, as you have done so many times. Keep your plans for success continuously in motion, even when the end goal seems unachievable. Persevere, persevering in reaching your goals is what brought you here today.”

The following students were awarded Outstanding Vocational Student:

  • Camille Graffeo, Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School
  • Samantha Fregault, Attleboro High School
  • Georgios Pirperis, Bay Path Vocational Technical High School
  • Katelyn Steele, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Jake Reissfelder, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
  • Taylor Sirois, Bristol County Agricultural High School
  • Juliana Almada, Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School
  • Gefen Shapiro, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School- Rindge School of Technical Arts
  • Ana Josephine Rolfe, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
  • Thomas Dyson, Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Vocational High School
  • Hannah Martin, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Esyilin Rivera Santana, B.M.C. Durfee High School
  • Sharonjit Kaur, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
  • Brennan Hodgeman, Franklin County Technical School
  • Edgar Martinez, Greater Lawrence Technical School
  • Ashleigh Santos, Greater Lowell Technical High School
  • Elijah Gonsalves, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Josue Montanez, Holyoke High School
  • Liam Regan, Joseph P. Keefe Regional Technical School
  • Helga Nfor, Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation
  • Boston Williams, Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center
  • Kaitlyne Spring, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute
  • Bennifer Montrond, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
  • Jacob Shustack, McCann Technical High School
  • Lyra Saucier, Minuteman High School
  • Kiana Cintron, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
  • Kaitlyn Landers, Nashoba Valley Technical High School
  • Jenna Vincenzino, Newton North High School-Newton Public Schools
  • Anna Conway, Norfolk County Agricultural High School
  • Kenneth Ibarra Suarez, Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School
  • Jacob MacKinnon, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Samuel Endelos, Pathfinder Regional Vocational-Technical High School
  • McKenna Forni, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
  • Taylor Gendron, Plymouth South High School
  • Puja Pradhan, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy
  • Madeline Chen-Baryza, Quincy High School
  • Diego Acuna, Salem High School
  • Anthony Bastianelli, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
  • Benjamin Carroll, Silver Lake Regional High School
  • Mandy Wright, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School
  • Gricelda (Grizzy) Mendez, Somerville High School
  • André Arzeno, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Joseph Ercolini, South Shore Vocational Technical High School
  • Carter Layne, Taconic High School
  • Halen Barry, Tantasqua Regional Technical High School
  • Zachary Blenkhorn, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Henry Knox, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
  • Paul Thomson, Westfield Technical Academy
  • Molly Jeanne Higgins, Weymouth High School
  • Jaidyn Craig, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Sindi Misliu, Worcester Technical High School

Additionally, 49 award recipients were also recognized as John and Abigail Adams Scholars, receiving scholarships for their hard work and dedication to their academics.

About MAVA

The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators is a statewide non-profit organization that advocates for high-quality vocational-technical and agricultural education. The Association includes 60 member schools, including regional vocational technical high schools, agricultural schools, independent schools, city vocational schools, an educational collaborative, academic high schools, and comprehensive high schools. All offer at least one state-approved Chapter 74 vocational technical education program. To learn more, click here.

About the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides
tuition for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts
state college or university. This scholarship is based on student scores on their
10th grade Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).

David J. Ferreira

MAVA Communications Coordinator

David Ferreira