Fall River, New Bedford, Boston, Worcester, Plymouth area students, others, win Outstanding Technical Student award

The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators has announced 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.

These students have shown outstanding academic performance throughout the year and actively engaged in service to their school and community.

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.