The Class of 2020's impressive achievements
We could not be more proud of our Class of 2020. They persevered with amazing grit when their senior year abruptly ended eight weeks early — cancelling their prom, their musical, their sports seasons, their crowd-filled graduation and their goodbyes.
This unprecedented time does not diminish their many accomplishments in any way, and we celebrate them here with this noteworthy list of many of the things they achieved as Wildcats. Scroll down and appreciate them for all they did. They earned college credits, were employed at jobs in their fields, participated in community service, played in sports championships, earned national and state recognition, have been accepted into 56 different colleges and so much more.
This class has inspired all of us.
Whittier Tech’s Class of 2020
315 members
Valedictorian – Jameson J. Bartholomew
Salutatorian – Charles P. West
Class President: Isabelle Giunta, Vice President: Alejandro Vega, Secretary: Emma Dupre, Treasurer: Alan Tadiello
Academic Awards:
Math – Jameson J. Bartholomew
English – Chantal M. Kelley
Science – Dalen L. Masters
Physical Education – Cody J. Hadley
Social Studies – Julia M. Taliaferro
World Language – Jared E.Recillas
Art – Zachary R. DePaolo
Music –Zachary R. DePaolo
Vocational-Technical Awards:
Design & Visual Communications – Olivia M. Bunting
Graphics – Morgan S. Garlington
Carpentry – Cody J. Hadley
Electrical – Benjamin D. Blackmun
Engineering – Tiana M. Butler
Masonry – Matthew A. Nunez
Plumbing and Heating – Ethan J. Calderwood
HVAC – Edward A. Bucci
Advanced Manufacturing Technology – Michael A. Dondero
Metal Fabrication: Benjamin D. Carlson
Cosmetology – Gina M. Jackson
Culinary Arts – Heather K. Twombly
Early Education & Care – Madison A. Herries
Health Assisting – Sarah G. Rodrigues
Dental Assisting – Jazmary F. Sanchez
Medical Assisting – Brianna L. McCarthy
Hospitality & Tourism – Phineas O. Sparrow
Business Technology & Marketing – Meghan R. Jegorow
Drafting – Charles P. West
Electronics – Matthew C. Miller
Auto body – Andrew J. Robinson
Automotive – Rachel S. McGrath
Graduate’s plans after high school:
58% of the class will go on to two and four-year colleges and universities
32% to careers
6% to technical or trade schools
2.5% will join the military (four enlisting in U.S. Marine Corp., two in U.S. Army, one in U.S. Coast Guard, and one in U.S. Navy)
MCAS Recognition
82 students received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship because of their high-ranking performances on the MCAS:
Amanda Adams, Trinity Allaire, Nevah Alsarabi, James Alvino, Elias Andino, Jameson Bartholomew, Amber Bioren, Dylan Blake, Anthony Boudreau- Iuele, Cacia Boudreaux, Hayley Bourque, Olivia Bunting, Ethan Calderwood, Aristotle Campbell, Benjamin Carlson, Nathan Cartier, Javier Cepeda, Samantha Cervera, Ryan Chapman, Michael Cordeiro, Kevin Couturier, Thomas Daneau, Nicholas Daniels, Alycia Delgado, Cameron Dennis, Zachary DePaolo, Ariana DeRosa, Emma Dupre, Sarah Dupre, Sahada Etienne, Lauren Fitzgerald, Brendan Fretz, Ryan Geneus, Isabelle Giunta, Matthew Glynn, Harrison Hayes, Isaury Hernandez, Joseph Howarth, Nathanial Johnson, Chantal Kelley, Skyla Kendall, Joshua King, Joseph Kinser, Gabriele Logan, Alyssa MacEachern, Jillian Marden, Amaury Martins, Dalen Masters, Sarah McCarthy, Catherine McNulty, Matthew Mendre, Lucas Murray, Zoe Nunally, Hugo Orellana, Isabelle Piscitelli, Jared Recillas, Cameron Roberts, Hector Rodriguez, Janluis Romaninoa, Michael Rybicki, Alexander Sahovey, Owen Sevene, Emely Silvestre, Alexander Smith, Morgan Souther, Alanna Stafford, Julia Taliaferro, Christopher Tenaglia, Patrick Thompson, Francis Thomson, Nathan Trimper, Seda Tuncok, Heather Twombly, Isaiah Valdivieso, Alejandro Vega, Cameron Walker, Charles West, Tyler Wetherbee, Shari Whiteley, Christopher Wilkinson, David Wilson and Emmett Wright
53 members of the class have been inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society:
Cory Abromovitch, Amanda Adams, Nevaeh Al-Sarabi, Jameson Bartholomew, Amber Bioren, Kailey Bochetti, Javier Cepeda, Samantha Cervera, Kailee Chaput, Kevin Couturier, Alycia Delgado, Cameron Dennis, Zachary DePaolo, Emma Dupre, Sarah Dupre, Sahada Etienne, Lauren Fitzgerald, Ryan Geneus, Ashley Gilbert, Isabella Giunta, Matt Glynn, Isaury Hernandez, Leyla Hussein, Chantal Kelley, Skyla Kendall, John Latauskas, Jillian Marden, Amaury Martins, Catherine McNulty, Matthew Miller, Lucas Murray, Hugo Orellana, Cassandra Ortega Cedeno, Isabelle Piscitelli, Casey Poor, Sarah Rodrigues, Hector Rodriguez, Aidan Shea,, Alexander Smith, Francis Thomson, Penelope Tiburcio, Seda Tuncok, Heather Twombly, Neiyelis Vazquez, Alejandro Vega, Charles West, Alexia White , Shari Whitely, Christopher Wilkinson and David Wilson
Working in their fields during school year
164 seniors were employed at co-op jobs this year:
Week 1: Nikoli Ahern, Keenan Allen, Halie Alsariba, Nevaeh Al-Sarabi, Reilly Ashley, Jameson Bartholomew, Kaitlin Bilodeau, Anthony Boudreau, Edward Bucci, Ethan Burridge, Tiana Butler, Ethan Calderwood, Jocelyn Callahan, Corbyn Campbell, Melany Castillo, Ryan Chapman, Angelica Cintron, Zaria Collazo, Kevin Couturier, Sophia Crook, Thomas Daneau, Derek DiMare, Jonathan Dufresne, Sarah Dupre, Grace Efosa, Nick Elkhoury, A.J. Espinal, Hayden Field, Marc Fils, Trevor Firek, Lauren Fitzgerald, Brendan Fretz, Brooke Gates, Isabelle Giunta, Emely Gonzalez, Cody Hadley, Curtis Hubbard, Luke Iamele, Meghan Jegorow, Crystal Jimenez, Nathanial Johnson, Alexus King, Joshua King, John Lacroix, John Latauskas, Jordan Litcofsky, Cody Littlefield, Elizabeth Manjounes, Jillian Marden, David Marion, Brianna McCarthy, Sarah McCarthy, Nyana Melendez-Rosario, Lucas Murray, Emily O’Flaherty, Madison Ouelette, Amber Parker, Luis Potter, Casey Poor, Mathew Rita, Loraine Rodriguez, Hector Rodriquez, Alexander Sahovey, Jazmary Sanchez, Joseph Santiago, Ryan Sargent, Joseph Seavey, Skyler Shipley, Lily Talbot, Francis Thomson, Penelope Tiburcio, Sarai Tirado, Justin Tkaczek, Neiyelis Vazquez, Zachary Voulgaris, Riley Walsh, David Wilson, Emily Wilson, Robert Wright, and Maria Zammitti
Week 2: Cory Abromovitch, Amanda Adams, Killian Barry, Bianca Berroa, Amber Bioren, Logan Bridgewater, Jackson Buccheri, Samelia Carrillo, Arianna Cavallaro, Javier Cepeda, Samantha Cervera, Gareth Chamberlain, Ashlee Chaput, Nathan Charoux, James Clark, Tabitha Coolen, Corinna Corriveau, Kaitlyn Costa, Kailyn Cruz, Nicholas Daniels, Irangeliz DeJesus, Alycia Delgado, Jennie Demille, Ariana DeRosa, Molly Deziel, Michael Dondero, Emma Dupre, Etienne Sahada, Alliana Fennelly, Dylan Fraize, Brendan Gallagher, Hunter Gatchell, Bailey Gates, Ryan Geneus, Ashley Gilbert, Edyana Gonzalez, Dale Hastings, Harrison Hayes, Joseph Helps, Xiomary Hernandez, Madison Herries, Nick Huberdeau, Parker Jennings, Chantel Kelley, Joseph Kinser, Nolan LaCerte, Robert Lawrence, Jack Lemarier, Gabriele Logan, William Lozzi, Fatima Martinez, Ryan McCarthy, Martin McGinn, Rachel McGrath, Catherine McNulty, Mariah Michel, Aaliyah Mejia, Zoe Nunally, Jack O’Connor, Darby Ortega, Cassandra Ortega Cedeno, Ben Ouellette, Andrew Rickman, Sarah Rodrigues, Samuel Rollins, Michael Rybicki, Aidan Shea, Daniel Shea, Naliah Smith, Owen Sevene, Emely Silvestre, Julia Taliaferro, Jacob Tanzella, Ariagnna Tavarez, Nicholas Tasca, Chris Tenaglia, Nathan Trimper, Somi Udin, Ashantee Vazquez, Alejandro Vegan, Fernando Ventura, Michael Ventrano, Tyler Whittier, Casey Winninghan, and Emmett Wright
Students earned dozens of industry certifications including Adobe Certified Associate, Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint, OSHA, Student Electronics Technicians, American Design Drafting Association and ServSafe
Two Electrical students were accepted into apprenticeship programs at the Local IBEW 103 Electricians: Owen Anderson and Alex Sahovey
Plumbing Senior Ryan Chapman received recognition from the PHCC 2020 Plumbing All-Star Program
Three Advanced Manufacturing students received the Gene Haas Foundation Award: Mike Dondero, Owen Sevene and James Clarke
30 Health Occupations seniors are graduating as Certified Nurse Assistants: Nevaeh Al-Sarabi, Melanie Castillo, Ashlee Chaput, Javier Cepeda, Samantha Cervera, Tabitha Coolen, Irangeliz DeJesus, Jennifer DeMille, Arianna DeRosa, Sahada Etienne, Bailey Gates, Ashley Gilbert, Emely Gonzalez, Nathanial Johnson, Alexus King, Elizabeth Manjounes, Aliyah Mejia, Emily O’Flaherty, Amber Parker, Casey Poor, Sarah Rodrigues, Kiannaliz Santiago, Skyler Shipley, Lily Talbot, Julia Taliaferro, Ariagnna Tavarez, Penelope Tiburcio, Sarai Tirado, Neiyelis Vazquez and Alejandro Vega
Three Cosmetology students are graduating as state-certified cosmetologists after working 1,000 salon hours and passing the state test. They are: Sophia Crook - Interlocks in Newburyport; Molly Deziel - Ulta in Seabrook, NH; and Zachary Voulgaris - Bliss Salon and Spa in North Andover
SkillsUSA Medalists: Seniors who won medals at state and national SkillsUSA competitions are:
Halie Alsarabi and Meghan Jegorow, Marketing and Business Management: Silver Medalists, 2019 National SkillsUSA competition, Career Pathways Showcase: Business/ Management/Technology, for project on Alzheimer's research
Zachary DePaolo, DVC: Gold Medalist, 2019 State Competition, Career Pathways Showcase: Arts & Communication
Jillian Marden, Culinary Arts: Silver Medalist, 2019 State Competition, Commercial Baking
Sydney Stewart, Culinary Arts: Bronze Medalist, 2019 State Competition, Career Pathways Showcase: Human Services
48 seniors earned college credits after successfully completing college-level courses while juniors and seniors:
Emmett Wright, James Alvino, James Bartholomew, Kailey Bochetti, Sarah Dupre, Isabelle Giunta, Meghan Jegorow, Amaury Martins, Sarah McCarthy, Lucas Murray, Isabelle Piscitelli, Hector Rodriguez, Morgan Souther, Phineas Sparrow, Alanna Stafford, Francis Thomson, Charles West, Alexia White, Shari Whiteley, Alex Smith, Alan Tadiello, Matthew Mendre, Shari Whiteley, Samuel Rollins, Emmanuel Jean Baptiste, Michael Dondero, Owen Sevene and William Lozzi
Business Tech & Marketing seniors participated and won recognition in district and state DECA competitions. They are: John Zywaik, Emely Silvestre, Ryan McCarthy, Darby Ortega, Gareth Chamberlin, Naylani DeAza, Nyana Melendez, Emely Silvestre, and Grace Efosa
The United Nations Team competed at The Crisis Conference at UMass Lowell and at the Massachusetts Statehouse and received several awards. Seniors Alanna Stafford and Isabelle Piscitelli were named Best Delegates in Negotiation.
Seniors who participated are: Catherine McNulty, Julia Taliaferro, Isabelle Piscitelli, Alanna Stafford, Corrina Corriveau, Lauren Fitzgerald, James Alvino, Javier Cepeda, Ariana DeRosa, Joseph Howarth, Ryan Geneus, Aaliyah Mejia, Amanda Adams, Cassandra Ortega Cedeno, Tiana Butler, Phineas Sparrow, Kailee Chaput, Charles West, Zaria Collazo and John Zwick
Our Service Clubs -- Key Club, Multicultural Club, Interact and Peer-to-Peer donated thousands of hours to help the less fortunate all year long. They collected hundreds of canned food items for area food pantries during the holidays, ran a Winter Coat Drive, organized a blood drive with the American Red Cross, and raised and donated money and hours to the Salvation Army.
Culinary Arts students hosted numerous events including the Haverhill Kiwanis Luncheon, Rotary Luncheon, Merrimack Valley Superintendent’s Association Luncheon, Fall and Winter Sports Banquets and hosted holiday luncheons at area senior centers.
The Robotics Team “The Maroon Monsoon” built a robot to complete specific tasks and finished 14th out of 40 teams in a district FIRST competition and won the Team Spirit Award. Seniors on the team are Matt Miller and Gabi Logan
Art students designed and built an award-winning Holiday Float for Haverhill’s Annual Santa Parade and the Merrimac Holiday Parade.
Wildcats Sports Highlights:
Football competed in the MIAA playoffs and ended their successful season with a victory on Thanksgiving Dau over Greater Lawrence, who went on to win the title.
A.J. Espinal rushed for over 1,000 yards and received a football scholarship to St. Anselm College
Ethan Burridge received the CAC Player of the Year Award for Lineman
The team was led by seniors Dylan Fraize, Joe Iannalfo, Ryan McCarthy, Mike Vetrano, Anthony Luse, and Jack Lemarier
Girl’s Soccer advanced to the CAC tournament with a successful young team led by Seniors Allison Flanagan, Sarah McCarthy, Vanessa Simmons, Tabi Coolen and Isabelle Piscitelli
Boy’s Soccer played in the MIAA state tournament, led by seniors John Latauskas, Nathan Cartier, Kyle Eddy
Volleyball won the CAC conference title led by seniors Grace Efosa, Zaria Collazo, Siarra Cronin, and Meghan Jegorow
Girl’s Crosscountry was led by senior Molly Deziel, one of the finest female runners Whittier has ever had, along with senior Kaitlin Bilodeau, also a top runner
Boy’s Crosscountry was led by seniors Oliver Bucco and Derek Dimare who both finished up stellar careers at Whittier
Cheerleading competed in the MIAA regional competition, led by Senior Tri-Captains Killian Barry, Cece (Sahada) Etienne, and Taina Rivera. Other seniors included: Lala (Aaliya) Mejia, Julia Taliaferro, Skyler Shipley, Skid (Isabelle) Giunta,
Girls Basketball finished with a 17-3 season, won the CAC conference title, and was led by seniors Grace Efosa, who won a full basketball scholarship to Providence College and Rachel McGrath, who will play basketball at the University of Northwestern Ohio
Boys Basketball played in the MIAA state tournament, led by Senior Anthony Couture who was selected for the CAC conference all-star team
Wrestling finished second in the state losing only to state champions Shawsheen Tech
Senior Catherine McNulty won the female state championship for a second year and received a scholarship to Indiana Tech
The team was led by senior Jack Lemarier
Our Spring Sports teams held tremendous promise with the softball, baseball, track and lacrosse teams featuring many talented seniors ready to have the best season of their high school careers. Unfortunately, the season was cancelled due to the health crisis.
This year’s Spring Musical “Pippin” was set to hit the stage on March 20, the week after school closed unexpectedly for the year. The talented and hardworking cast and crew never got to perform for an audience. Seniors who were ready for their grand finale on the Whittier stage were: Hannah Bourque, Hayley Bourque, Zach DePaolo, Olivia Bunting, Seda Tuncok and Alliana Fennelly. Senior John LaCroix was the sound tech assistant.
Members of the Class of 2020 are college bound to:
Ana G. Méndez University
Bay Path University
Becker College
Bridgewater State University
Bryant University
Central Maine Community College
Colby Sawyer College
Culinary institute of America
Douglas Education Center
Eastern Kentucky University
Fitchburg State University
Framingham State University
Husson University
Indiana Institute of Technology
Johnson and Wales University
Keene State University
Lanier Technical College
Lasell University
Manchester Community College
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
MassArt
Merrimack College
Middlesex Community College
Montserrat College of Art
Nichols College
North Shore Community College
Northern Essex Community College
Nova Southeastern University
Pace University
Pine Manor College
Plymouth State University
Providence College
Quinnipiac University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Saint Anselm College
Salem State University
Savanna College of Art and Design
Scottsdale Community College AZ
Simmons University
Southern Maine Community College
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern Utah University
Spa Tech Institute
Suffolk University
The New School
UMaine
UMASS Amherst
UMASS Boston
UMASS Dartmouth
UMASS Lowell
University of New England
University of New Hampshire
University of New Haven
University of Valley Forge
UNOH
