We rocked the house for Gov. Baker

To kick off their 2019 inauguration tour, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited students, faculty and staff at Whittier yesterday morning.

Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito arrived at 9 a.m. and as they entered the building, cheerleaders, student ambassadors from each vocational program and SkillsUSA members lined the lobby leading to the gym to greet them.

More than 1,200 students roared as the two passed through the gym doors. Students in all four corners of the stands held large letters that spelled out "Welcome to Whittier L.G. Polito and Gov. Baker."

Yesterday's event is part of the Baker-Polito administration's Moving Massachusetts Forward Spotlight Series, which consists of several inaugural-week events that highlight the Commonwealth's continuing progress, including its Skills Capital Grant program.

Over the last two years, Whittier has received more than $1 million through Skills Capital Grants for a new advanced manufacturing program and most recently, a dental assisting shop, which is a subset of Whittier's health occupations program.

"We were so excited to be the first stop on the governor's inauguration tour," Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. "The Baker-Polito administration has been extremely supportive of the work we do here at Whittier, and the Skills Capital Grants have further helped to ensure that our students are prepared to excel in college or the workforce following graduation."

After making their way around the gym to speak with students, Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito headed upstairs to see the new dental assisting shop, which students had class in for the first time yesterday.

Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito got a tour of the space and even tested out some of the equipment. They then concluded their visit in the medical assisting classroom and chatted with students and teachers about the program.

"We were thrilled to return to Whittier Technical High School to kick off our inaugural week celebrations with a 'Spotlight on Education and Skills' event," said Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito in a joint statement. "Our administration has been proud to invest in vocational and technical education through the Skills Capital Grant Program to create more career pathways for students at institutions like Whittier Tech, where providing students with the skills they need participate in tomorrow’s economy is a top priority."