Colleagues,
We are always pleased to share good news from our Chapter 74 schools. This one from Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford.
The entire freshman class at Nashoba Valley Tech took part in a Day of Service, volunteering across the region to give back to the community.
David
Nashoba Tech freshmen participate in Day of Service
PUBLISHED: October 25, 2026
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<![endif]>Jillian Niemi of Groton, left, and Laci Katz of Pepperell plant mums on the Nashoba Tech campus during the freshman Day of Service on Oct. 2, 2026.
PUBLISHED: October 25, 2026 at 3:15 AM EDT
WESTFORD — At Nashoba Valley Technical High School, service isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a major part of every student’s day.
It’s right there in the mission statement: “The school strives to promote citizenship through a safe and inclusive atmosphere encouraging a diverse population of students to become positive and productive members of the community.”
Toward that goal, Nashoba Tech held its second annual Day of Service on Oct. 2, when all 222 freshmen were required to work at one of nine sites.
The Day of Service is the brainchild of Vocational/Technical Coordinator Kate Hawkins, who said it’s a great way to initiate freshmen into the joys of helping their community. It also gets them started on the requirement that every Nashoba Tech student must perform at least 20 hours of community service during their four years.
From left, Nashoba Tech Vocational/Technical Coordinator Kate Hawkins oversees as Callum Hoos of Ayer, Easton Calderwood of Shirley and Christopher Cantwell of Shirley clear a tree at Hill Orchard to prepare for next year’s harvest during the freshman Day of Service on Oct. 2, 2026. The Westford orchard, which is closed this year, normally features a mix of apples, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, nectarines and pluots.
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<![endif]>“It’s near and dear to my heart to always give back and to teach students about that right from the beginning,” Hawkins said. “This gives the freshmen an idea of what community service is and what a wonderful feeling it is and hopefully spurs them into continuing to do community service.
“The kids loved it last year,” she added. “It’s been well-received by the parents, too. They think it’s a great thing for the students.”
The nine sites students worked at are:
• Community Harvest Project, Grafton
• Community Harvest Project, Harvard
• The Food Project, Lincoln
• Westford Conservation Trust
• Hill Orchard, Westford
• Fredonian Park, Shirley
• Mass Audubon at Drumlin Farm, Lincoln
• Habitat for Humanity, Ayer
• Nashoba Tech campus.
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Aggricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira