Whittier Tech students are putting The Wildcat Way into action this Thanksgiving season through a large-scale community service effort that began with an idea from sophomore Dental Assisting students.
Wanting to make a positive impact, students proposed hosting a hygiene drive to support local families. Their instructors helped bring the idea to life: Dental Assisting Instructor Caitlin Deaveu connected with Cosmetology Instructor Nancy Calverley and the Interact Club to identify where the donations could be most helpful. At the same time, the Haverhill YMCA’s Tracy Fuller reached out seeking student volunteers for The Gratitude Project, a partnership with the United Way that provides Thanksgiving meals to 400 families in Haverhill.
The timing aligned perfectly, and Whittier Tech students stepped up.
Dental students collected enough hygiene products to assemble 300 fully stocked bags for families in need. Students and staff volunteered on Friday, November 21, helping set up for Saturday’s distribution event. Charitable organizations, including Sacred Hearts Food Pantry, the Haverhill Rotary Club, and eight additional community partners, each selected 40 families to attend Saturday's event and receive a Thanksgiving meal. Whittier Tech will also be on-site volunteering throughout the day on Saturday.
This effort highlights Whittier Tech’s commitment to SkillsUSA values, including demonstrated leadership, commitment to service, teamwork across programs, professionalism in action, community engagement and career-ready skills.
"Through teamwork, leadership, and service—core SkillsUSA values—we’re learning how to make a real difference while growing as students and future professionals," said Skylar Cyr, Interact Club Vice President.
Students participating include:
Marco Moscardini (Grade 11, Haverhill)
Skylar Cyr (Grade 11, Haverhill)
An Ngo (Grade 11, Haverhill)
Lillian DesOrmeaux (Grade 10, Haverhill)
Layla Desilva (Grade 10, Haverhill)
McKenna Bell (Grade 10, Groveland)
Yeselin Alvarado (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Kelliesha Gilbert (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Allysha Reyes (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Aliyah Guzman (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Natalia Solano (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Sofia Deiulis (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Olivia Parada (Grade 10, Salisbury)
Emma Villar Cruz (Grade 9, Haverhill)
Shanelly Penalo (Grade 12, Haverhill)
Staff participants include:
Caitlin Deaveu, Dental Assisting Instructor
Nancy Calverley, Cosmetology Instructor and Interact Club Advisor
“This project is a powerful example of how our students live out The Whittier Way, stepping forward, working hard, and supporting others,” said Caitlin Deveau, Dental Assisting Instructor. “We are incredibly proud of their dedication to serving the community.”
