Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce a new addition to our Board of Directors. See a full board list here.
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.
Gather a group of urban youth, insert an extraordinary coach, form a team, add magic, and off they are, headed to Orlando/Disney for the KSA Basketball Tournament December 26 – 30. To make this once in a lifetime dream come true, North High School basketball coach Al Pettway and his team ambitiously raised money for tournament fees, transportation and housing costs, as well as other associated travel needs.
Kudos to those who helped and good luck boys, have a great trip!
It’s not too late to make a contribution to help cover the team’s travel expenses. Click the link below and include “North High Boys Basketball” in the comment field.
As we wrap up the first half of the 2022-2023 school year, we’re still celebrating our recent graduating Worcester Public Schools class of 2022!
Every year we are impressed by the paths chosen by our seniors. Whether it is employment, college, military service, or technical training, we congratulate the Class of 2022 and their parents, teachers and guidance counselors who have worked so diligently to put them on a course that will lead them to bright and successful futures.
This fall, graduates from the Worcester Public Schools Class of 2022 started new chapters both near and far. Check out this amazing list of where WPS grads headed:
ABA Real Estate
ABC Child Care Bilingual Program
Air National Guard
Amazon
American International College
American University
Andrews University
Anna Maria College
Arcuri Moda Salon
Assumption University
Automotive Industry
Barbera Realty
Bay Path University
Been Counter Bakery
Benoit Language Services
Bentley University
Berklee School of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Brattan Industries
Briarwood Retirement
Bridgewater State University
Broward College
Brown University
Bryant University
Bucknell University
Carpentry Union
Castleton University
Centenary University
Central Air and HVAC/R
Centre College
City of Worcester
Clark University
College of the Holy Cross
Curry College
DeWolfe Plumbing
Drexel University
Duquesne University
Electrician Union
Elon University
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Endicott College
Fed Ex
Fisher College
Fitchburg State University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida CC- Hillsborough CC
Fordham University
Forever Mechanical HVAC/R
Framingham State University
Franciscan University Steubenville
Franklin Pierce University
Fullerton College
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Guardian A-Z Integrated Systems
Harvard University
High Point University
Holyoke Community College
Home Depot
Howard University
Hydro Test Products
IBEW Electrician
ITT Technical Institute
Jackson State University
Jeffrey Roberts Salon
Jewish Community Center
Jiffy Lube
Johnson & Wales University – RI
Jupiter Beauty Academy (Boston)
Keene State College
Kentucky University
Key Realty
Kinefac Corporation
Lasell University
Lincoln Technical Institute
Los Angeles Film School
Louisiana State University
Lowes
Loyola University Chicago
Lyon’s Plumbing
Manchester Community College
Manhattanville College
Marianapolis Preparatory School
Mass Landscaping
Massachusetts College of Arts
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
In Spring 2022, the Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. funded more than $9,500 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. In addition, some funds were available specifically for gardening and landscaping projects.
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!
2022 Mini-Grant Award Recipients
Jennifer Adams • La Familia Dual Language School • Math Mundo Scott Bodamer • Claremont Academy • Tomatosphere Jessie Carleton • Woodland Academy • Sculpture Manipulatives for Art Room Chris Comeaux • North High School • Molding System & Materials Sarah Cramer • Claremont Academy • Roller Coaster Physics: Riding with Acceleration and Gravitational Forces Brianna Embury • Goddard School of Science & Technology • Classroom Keyboard Pianos Julie Feeney • Burncoat Middle School • Una Celebración: Celebrating Latinx Culture Through Dance Judy Freedman • WPS Transition Program/New Citizen’s Center – Young Adult • Baseball in Education Emily Galante • Burncoat Street Preparatory Academy • Burncoat Prep Community Care Daniel Gay • New Citizen’s Center – Young Adult • One World Music Ensemble Jason Harthan • Forest Grove Middle School • Fabricating Prosthetic Hands for Children in Need Gail Holland-Default • Worcester Technical High School • Wild Voices Steven Johnson • North High School • North High School ESports Team Alana Juneau • Worcester Arts Magnet School • Presenting Our Creativity Kim Marshall • Wawecus Road School/West Tatnuck School • Packing Peanuts Palooza Brian McCullock • South High Community School • Travel to MICCA Concert Festival Cheryl Perron • Lake View School • Starting Fresh at Lake View Tracy Pomeroy • Lincoln Street School • Flourish With Flowers Sarah Sanders • Burncoat Middle School • Worcester 300 Megan Schreiber • Worcester East Middle School • Theatrical Makeup Marissa Skeates • Worcester Arts Magnet School • Watch Our Garden Grow! Allissa Szymcik • Roosevelt School • Music is Why Our Hearts Have Beats Kristin Tupper • Jacob Hiatt Magnet School • STEAM Ahead for Learning
The Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022. The ceremony will be held at Worcester Union Station. A reception at 5:00 p.m. will be followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m.
The WPS Athletic Hall of Fame selects and honors deserving athletes, coaches, teams, and other outstanding contributors to athletic programs of the Worcester Public Schools.
Successful candidates have brought honor to the Worcester Public Schools through their outstanding participation in the athletic program and have distinguish themselves in their organizations and community through exceptional achievements and/or service. Honorees serve as extraordinary role models of character, courage, leadership and citizenship.
Honorees:
Robert Bailey, Burncoat High School Steven Brunelle – Doherty Memorial High School Lenny Carlson – North High School Richard Eid – Classical High School Robert Goodney – Worcester Boys Trade School Steven Hennigan – South High School John Mcgrath – North High School Michelle Legacy Montville – Doherty Memorial High School Michael Lynch – South High School Tijean Pluverge – Doherty Memorial High School Matthew Powers – Burncoat High School Jewel White – Doherty Memorial High School
Unlike surrounding towns, the Worcester Public Schools charges no athletic fees to ensure equal access for all students. WPS Athletics serves 1,500-1,700 students on 156 teams playing 30 sports. Playing sports builds key life skills including teamwork, confidence, and strategies for health and wellness. Our athletes need to be safe on the field and look their best which means using up-to-date equipment and wearing high-quality uniforms. You can support our sports by making a donation through WEDF:
Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce four new additions to our Board of Directors. See a full board list here.
Jermoh Kamara, MPH, CHES
Jermoh Kamara is a Worcester Public Schools graduate having attended Canterbury Street School, Sullivan Middle, and South High where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Vice President of the Class of 2011.
Today she is a public health professional, working as the Director of Wellness and Health Equity at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, with 10 years of experience in international and national, and community health. She earned her BS in Health Policy and Management & BA in Community Health from Providence College, Master’s in Public Health from New York Medical College and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She has taught courses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University.
Jermoh was also recently elected and serves as a member on the Worcester School Committee in 2021, the first African born immigrant to be elected. She is a second year volunteer board member of the Worcester League of Women Voters and serves on the leadership of the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants (MOAD).
Stacey Luster, J.D.
Stacey Luster is a 3rd generation Worcesterite, who secured her place in Worcester’s history by becoming the only African-American woman to be elected to the Worcester City Council. Stacey is a proud graduate of South High who went on to graduate from St. John’s University in New York, Boston University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Stacey has given back to the community in many volunteer capacities, including responding to community needs by becoming the Co-Founder of Black Families Together and the Black Excellence Academy. Stacey has also served on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the Worcester Business Development Corporation, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Art Museum, Fallon Community Health Plan, Greater Worcester Community Foundation and Board of Trustees Chairperson for Quinsigamond Community College. Presently, Stacey is serving as a Board Member of Ascentria Care Alliance, Director of Country Bank and the President of the Board of Trustees for Mechanics Hall.
Stacey is a consummate public servant, who has dedicated her professional life to public education, through leadership positions at the executive level of the Worcester Public Schools, Quinsigamond Community College and currently in her role as General Counsel/Assistant to the President at Worcester State University.
Sue Popinchalk
Sue is originally from PA and graduated with a BS in Ceramic Engineering from Penn State University. She was recruited by the Abrasives Division (Norton) of Saint-Gobain after college and has recently taken a new position with the CertainTeed Roofing Division as their World Class Manufacturing/Operational Excellence Champion.
Her family lives in Worcester and she has 2 daughters who have attended Worcester public schools. Kate graduated from South High in 2021 and is currently a freshman at Northeastern and Lauren is a junior in Burncoat’s Hanover Insurance Academy of the Arts. Her husband Seth is the manager of the advanced support group of the Mathworks.
Matthew Wally
Matthew Wally is currently employed by UniBank for Savings as Vice President, Audit/ CRA/ Fair Lending. Mr. Wally is Vice president of the Quinsigamond Community College Foundation, a member of the Finance Committee of the Regional Environmental Council, a member of the Audit Committee for RCAP Solutions, a Trustee Associate for the Nativity School of Worcester, and a member of the Worcester Retirement Board.
Mr. Wally, a former City Councilor for the city of Worcester, has also served as a Director for the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Matthew 25, and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. He is also involved in the Worcester Tree Initiative, the Endangered Structure Committee for Preservation Worcester, and the the Massachusetts Community and Banking Council.
Mr.Wally has received awards for his outstanding leadership from the Central MA Housing Alliance, the Worcester Community Action Council and Matthew 25. Mr. Wally is a graduate Burncoat High School and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in Community Development & Planning from Clark University. He is married to Katie Bagdis Wally, an attorney with Mountain Dearborn and together they have a son named Conor and a daughter named Rose.
