WEDF Announces Honorees for 12th Annual Distinguished Alumni & Friends of the Worcester Public Schools Awards

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. (WEDF) is proud to announce the 2023 Class of Distinguished Alumni of the Worcester Public Schools. A celebration of their achievements will be held on October 25, 20223 at the College of the Holy Cross.

Honorees are:
Woodrow Adams, Jr. – Public Servant & Community Leader
Dimitrios Angelis, M.D. – Cardiologist
Matthew Brown  – Business Leader
Maritza Cruz – Community Leader
The Hale Sisters – Entertainers
David Klein – Business Leader
Brian LaRose – Business Leader
Charles Olson (posthumous) – Poet
R. Norman Peters – Real Estate Attorney
Chloe Nester Sundberg – Educator & Artist
Marian Younge, M.D.  – Family Medicine

The North High Alumni Association
Friend of The Worcester Public Schools

Holmes-Shusas Florist
Friend of The WEDF

According to Thomas V. Murray, Jr., chairman of the committee, “We are once again delighted to present such a notable group of alumni who received their educational foundation in the Worcester Public Schools. We look forward to celebrating their achievements.”

Major sponsors for this year’s event are Lamoureux Pagano Associates and UniBank. Dinner tickets for the event are $75 and are available to purchase at the link below. For more information on the event, call 774-389-0740 or email info@wedfwps.org.

WEDF_DA_FINAL-09262023

2023 Scholarship & Award Winners

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation announced more than $40,000 in scholarships and awards for graduating seniors in the Worcester Public Schools. The funds have been provided by foundations, corporations, fund raising events, organizations, and individuals. The recipients are:

Connected Scholars Laptops
40 seniors in eight high schools.

Nina and Miriam Barber Scholarship
Taevye Dawkins, North High

Elizabeth “Betty” Reid Scholarship
Denesia Rivera, North High
Maria Managua Castillo, North High
Chelsea Frimpong, North High

North High Alumni Association Scholarships
Julieen Nicolas, North High
Leilani Castro, North High
Juleein Nicolas, North High
Crystal Abruzzise, North HIgh
Colm King, North High
Jaylene Canales Morales, North High
Jenny Wu, North High

Ryan Quinn Memorial Scholarship
Annie Corrao, Buncoat High

Mary Murphy Spirit Award
Mia Haynes, Burncoat High

Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement English
Student Award: Brian Nguyen, Worcester Technical High School
Teacher Award: Jessica McGuire, Worcester Technical High School

In addition, WEDF provided gift cards and Table Talk pies to 17 outstanding students in visual and performing arts.

scholarship-press-release-2023FINAL

WEDF Announces Spring 2023 Mini-Grant Recipients

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. funded more than $5,000 in mini-grants for educators in the Worcester Public Schools.

The grants funded extraordinary projects to enhance and enrich teaching and learning in WEDF’s areas of focus: Arts and Culture, College and Career Readiness, Health and Wellness, and Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

The grants were funded through WEDF’s Distinguished Alumni & Friends of the Worcester Public Schools event, the Office of District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., individual donations, and the general funds of the WEDF.

Congratulations to all of the grant recipients, and a huge thank you to our grant review committee!

2023 Mini-Grant Award Recipients

Dina Taylor • Worcester Technical High School • Children’s Library
Meg Cook • Elm Park School • Harvesting Healthy Habits
Gregory Jones • South High School • Modernizing Physics Classroom
Dante Quercio • Claremont School • Cougar Coding Club
Jane Dowd • Burncoat High School • BHS Memorial Courtyard
Brenda Hernandez • Worcester East Middle School • Peace Over Violence
Andrea Cook • Burncoat Middle School • Thrills & Chills
Tom Donington • Burncoat High School • Burncoat Billgoats
Jackie Latino • North High School • Happy Beans Coffee Shop
Alana Juneau • Worcester Arts Magnet • Clay All Day!
Debra Bianculli • Tatnuck Magnet School • Light, Shadow & Color 
Michele Petty • Roosevelt School • Getting Moving In PE!

Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame to Honor 2023 Inductees on May 19

The Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the following list of inductees:

  • Joshua Awuma – Doherty Memorial High School
  • Kelly Bates – Burncoat High School
  • Ken Bates – Burncoat High School
  • Ryan Keddy – Worcester Technical High School
  • Raymond McGrath – South High School
  • James McDermott – Coach
  • John Murray – Worcester Technical High School
  • Michael Paladino – Doherty Memorial High School
  • Joseph Perry – Doherty Memorial High School
  • Hannah Quinn – Doherty Memorial High School
  • Jim Reynolds – Coach
  • Yawin Smallwood -Doherty Memorial High School
  • Joseph Thompson – Outstanding Contributor

The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, May 19, at Holy Cross’s Hogan Center.

The reception is at 5:00 p.m. and will be followed by a dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Dinner tickets are $75 ($20 for children under 12) and a table for 10 is $700.

To reserve your tickets or for information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shannon Bartley at 508-574-7339. 

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. serves as the fiscal agent for the event.

Nominations Open for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni of the Worcester Public Schools Awards!

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the annual Distinguished Alumni of the Worcester Public Schools awards! The program was established in 2011 by WEDF to honor and recognize alumni of Worcester Public Schools who:

  • Have made exemplary contributions to their professional fields, the Worcester community, Worcester Public Schools and/or the betterment of society
  • Serve as outstanding role models for current Worcester Public Schools students
  • Have achieved outstanding success in academics, the arts, community service, business, humanitarian efforts, research and various other fields

This year’s ceremony is scheduled for October 25, 2023 at a banquet held to honor the awardees at the College of the Holy Cross. 

If you know of any alumni who meet the above criteria, we strongly encourage you to submit their names to the Foundation. Online and printable nomination forms are available below.

In addition to filling out the basic information about the alumnus, be sure to include a one-page narrative describing your nominee’s accomplishments and why you’re nominating them. Supplementary documents such as newspaper articles about their accomplishments and resumes are also helpful in the review process. If you know of an exemplary candidate, but don’t have time to compile a full nomination, feel free to email your idea to advancement@wedfwps.org.

Further instructions are available on the nomination form. Learn more about the event here.

We look forward to seeing this year’s nominees, and selecting the next class of Distinguished Alumni! Be sure to spread the word!

WEDF Welcomes New Board Member

Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce a new addition to our Board of Directors.  See a full board list here.

Ginny Pitcher

A photo of Ginny Pitcher.

Ginny Pitcher is the Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications for Greenwood Industries, the largest commercial roofing and building envelope solutions provider in the Northeast. Ms. Pitcher is responsible for the company’s brand messaging, content strategy development and deployment, marketing programs, and digital campaign efforts to drive sales and build brand awareness. In addition, she works in tandem with the executive team to create a brand that exemplifies the organization’s mission and ensures that it connects with the values of its customers. Her career spans more than twenty-five years with entrepreneurial experience in marketing, client services, business operations, and human resources.

Before joining Greenwood, Ms. Pitcher was the co-founder and CEO of one of Boston’s leading public relations and social media agencies for consumer and emerging technology brands. As a chief strategist and experienced relationship manager, Ms. Pitcher worked with clients like Staples, Zappos, TrueCar.com, Cumberland Farms, Stop & Shop, Flooring America, and more.

Ms. Pitcher serves on the President’s Council of The New England Center for Children, an independently-operated, private special education residential school in Southborough, Massachusetts. She has also served on the board of Humanity Rises, an international humanitarian organization, focused on helping the Rohingya in Bangladesh.

A Doherty High School graduate, Ms. Pitcher holds a B.A. from Syracuse University and an M.S. in Mass Communication from Middle Tennessee State University.

WPS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee Call for Volunteers

Graphic: Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame logo above text that reads "seeking new committee members" and and image of a football, basketball, soccer ball, baseball, volleyball, and tennis ball.

Were sports an important part of your high school career? Do you have a student athlete in the Worcester Public Schools?

The Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is seeking members to help identify outstanding alumni athletes and plan the spring banquet in May. Proceeds from the event support teams through the purchase of new uniforms and equipment.

The next meeting of the committee is Monday, September 26 at the Field House at Berkshire Bank Field at Foley Stadium.

To learn more, contact Dave Shea at sheadavid@worcesterschools.net.

WEDF Announces Honorees for 11th Annual Distinguished Alumni & Friends of the Worcester Public Schools Awards

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. (WEDF) is proud to announce the 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni of the Worcester Public Schools. A celebration of their achievements will be held on October 27, 2022 at the College of the Holy Cross.

Honorees are:
Orlando Baxter – Entertainer
Nina Barber and Miriam Barber (posthumous) – Educators
Brian D’Andrea – Attorney
Lainey Feingold – Disability Rights Lawyer and Author
Rosemary F. Ford – Philanthropist
James Laurie – Journalist and Author
Barbara Abramoff Levy – Musician, Conductor and Historical Interpreter
Aaron Lubowitz – Private Equity and Investment Banker
Sean Mitchell – Public Servant
José Rolón – Public Figure, LGBTQ+ Advocate and Wedding Planner
The Reverend Jonathan Slavinskas – Spiritual and Community Leader

Quinsigamond Community College is the recipient of the Friend of Education Award.

According to Thomas V. Murray, Jr., chairman of the committee, “We are once again delighted to present such a notable and diverse group of alumni who received their educational foundation in the Worcester Public Schools. We look forward to celebrating their achievements.”

Major sponsors for this year’s event are Lamoureux Pagano Associates, Saint-Gobain and UniBank. Dinner tickets for the event are $75 and will be available to purchase soon. For more information on the event, call 774-389-0740 or email info@wedfwps.org.

WEDF Congratulates 2022 Scholarship and Award Recipients

Graphic: A piggy bank wears a graduation cap and sits next to a diploma. Text Reads: "Announcing 2022 Scholarship and Award Recipients".

Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce 2022 scholarship and award recipients, including the Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement English, Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships, the Nina and Miriam Barber Scholarship, North High Alumni Association Scholarships, and the Ryan P. Quinn Memorial Award.

Dr. Lee Gurel Award

Recipients: Bryce Maloney (student) & Kitren Farrel (teacher)

The 2022 Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement English has been awarded to student Bryce Maloney of South High Community School and his teacher, Kitren Farrell. Mr. Maloney was chosen by lottery from the pool of Worcester Public Schools students who achieved the highest ranking score on the AP English examination.

Dr. Lee Gurel is a Distinguished Alumnus of the Worcester Public Schools. He established the award in 2006 in honor of his eighth grade English teacher, Miss Wilmot, who taught at the former Woodland Street Preparatory School in south Worcester. He donated an endowment for the award to thank the Worcester Public Schools for the educational foundation he received that prepared him to eventually become a nationally recognized psychologist

Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships

Recipients: Donna Le, Genesis Ramirez & Dionelis Texidor

Betty Reidy was a North High graduate and lifelong Worcester resident who dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for individuals in our community. She graduated from Emanuel College, received her Master’s in Social Work from Boston College, and later an Honorary Doctorate from Assumption College. She nurtured her own children to go on and become highly successful individuals.

As a testament to her commitment to children and families, her family established the Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarship for North High School graduates who intend to pursue a course of study and career in nursing, education, social work, counseling, or the ministry. The 2022 Betty Reidy scholarship recipients are Donna Le, Genesis Ramirez, and Dionelis Texidor.

A photo of Nina and Miriam Barber with their Great Aunt Myrtle in 1929.

Nina & Miriam Barber Scholarship

Recipient: Jaida Hough

Nina and Miriam Barber were sisters who graduated from North High School, Nina in the class of 1928 and Miriam in the class of 1929. Raised by their mother in a single-parent home, they were encouraged by their great aunt to go on to college. Both graduated from Middlebury College and became teachers of world languages. 

The Nina and Miriam Barber Scholarship recognizes a female North High School graduate with preference for an aspiring world language teacher. The 2022 recipient is Jaida Hough.

North High Alumni Association Scholarships

Recipients: Elvis Adomako, Ashley Brito, Nhi Huynh, Mallory Perez, Donny Stapleton & Lenny Tran

In late 2021, WEDF became the fiscal agent of the North High Alumni Association. Each year, the association awards scholarships recognizing student accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, and the arts. 2022 recipients are Elvis Adomako (athletic), Ashley Brito (athletic), Nhi Huynh (academic), Mallory Perez (art), Donny Stapleton (leadership), and Lenny Tran (academic).

Ryan P. Quinn Memorial Award

Recipient: Kolby Miller

The recipient of the 2022 Ryan P. Quinn Memorial Award is Kolby Miller, a recent graduate of Burncoat High School and an accomplished student-athlete. 

Ryan P. Quinn, Burncoat High School class of 1996, was a star soccer player and golfer, earning Varsity Letters in both sports. Sadly, Ryan passed away in June of 2014. In memory of Ryan, the Quinn Family partnered with WEDF in 2016, to establish the Ryan P. Quinn Memorial Award for graduating Varsity Athletes of Burncoat High School. 

Connected Scholars: 2022 Computer Scholarships

A group of students hold new computers.

Last year, WEDF started Connected Scholars, a scholarship program that provides college-bound seniors with brand new laptops for graduation. In 2021, WEDF presented 31 seniors with computers; this year 50 seniors received them. 

A recent grant for the class of 2023 has been received and WEDF will continue soliciting donations for this program. We extend our sincere gratitude to the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, the Hoche-Scofield Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, and Berkshire Bank for supporting the Connected Scholars.

About the Program

WEDF wanted to make a larger impact so Worcester students would be able to transition into the next stage of their education prepared for everything that lies ahead of them. Part of this is outfitting students with the tools they need to get the most out of their collegiate studies.

Seniors who wished to apply for the program were required to meet the following qualifications:
• Acceptance at a two- or four-year college or university
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic

WEDF was fortunate to have plenty of support from guidance departments within the district, and especially that of Whitney Goodwin, the College and Career Readiness Liaison. As a result, the foundation was able to provide computers to 50 WPS graduates from eight high schools.

We are so pleased with the success of this program and look forward to continuing to build it in the future!

If you would like to help provide computers to graduating seniors in 2023, click below to donate.

2022 Connected Scholars

Hannah Afriyie • Worcester Technical High School • University of Massachusetts Amherst
Lloydia Agyemang • South High School • Northeastern University
Lizmarie Alicia Pena • Worcester Technical High School • Worcester State University
Xio Alvarado • South High School • Clark University
Rosan Alzuhairi • Worcester Technical High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Danice Andre Diaz • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Afua Asare • South High School • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Maureen Bittner • South High School • Bay Path University
Rhylie Bray • Gerald Creamer Center • Worcester State University
Nathan Bui • South High School • Worcester State University
Tyler Burns • North High School • Assumption University
Mah Oumou Camara • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Hailey Choruzek • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Jonathan Cruz • South High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Hayder Daffie • North High School • Worcester State University
Janes Delice • Claremont Academy • Worcester State University
Maryanna Dornelas • Worcester Technical High School • Bunker Hill Community College
Beninskee Dorvilien • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Favour Enwereuzor • Worcester Technical High School • Assumption University
Adonay Estrada • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Antoinette Gruanue • University Park Campus School • University of Bridgeport
Chyanne Guzman-Rios • Doherty Memorial High School • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Janyia Hampton Hutchins • South High School • Nichols College
Yeiliani Hernandez Colon • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Virginia Hilli • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Aya Ishwa Murad • Worcester Technical High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Musa Kabundi • University Park Campus School • Worcester State University
Tiffany Kago • Doherty Memorial High School • Navy / St. John’s University
Mackayla Kent • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College or Mass Art
Jasmine Kibunja • Doherty Memorial High School • TBD
Isaiah Kparyea • Doherty Memorial High School • Endicott College
Sieda Mohamud • Worcester Technical High School • Worcester State University
Uendi Mullaj • Doherty Memorial High School • Assumption University
Cherise Namaganda • North High School • Worcester State University
Desire Ndihokubwayo • North High School • Bridgewater State University
Diana Nguyen • Worcester Technical High School • Tufts University
Lionel Nieves • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Rena Nurhussien • Worcester Technical High School • Boston University
Chase Owen • South High School • Clark University
Kayden Pham • Doherty Memorial High School • Clark University
Derek Quinones • North High School • Worcester State University
Isaiah Reyes • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Isa Reyes • Worcester Technical High School • Anna Maria College
Billie Jo Servie • North High School • Worcester State University
Randy Torres • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Harry Valle • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Michael Vazquez • Doherty Memorial High School • Assumption University
Jaden Vega • Burncoat High School • Quinsigamond Community College
Evelin  Zacarias Cruz • Claremont Academy • Worcester State University
Jenkins Zziwa • North High School • Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Translate »