News

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 LeaderDimitrios Angelis, M.D. – CardiologistMatthew Brown  – Business … Read more

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 Laptops40 seniors in eight high schools. Nina and Miriam Barber ScholarshipTaevye Dawkins, North High Elizabeth … Read more

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 … Read more

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 – … Read more

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: This year’s ceremony is scheduled for October 25, 2023 at a banquet … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 – EntertainerNina Barber and Miriam Barber (posthumous) – EducatorsBrian D’Andrea – … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

In Spring 2020, the Worcester Educational Development Foundation (WEDF) announced the launch of its Connected Kids Campaign, designed to support Worcester Public Schools’ urgent goal of providing every student with a computer. The district identified the additional funds it needed to make this goal happen. With the support of WEDF, we are pleased to say … Read more

Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships and the Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement English. Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships Betty Reidy was a North High graduate who was a lifelong Worcester resident who dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for … Read more

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! This is a very special edition of the Distinguished Alumni Awards, as it’s the 10th anniversary of the program. The program was established in 2011 by WEDF to honor and … Read more

We are thrilled to announce our brand new online community Worcester Alumni & Friends, which will allow us to establish greater connections with our graduates and the community. Through this new alumni network, all Worcester Public Schools alumni, supporters and community members will be able to stay connected and receive regular updates and news articles. … Read more

OUR ANNUAL IMPACT:• Field trip experiences for more than 22,000 students• Warm winter outerwear for over 2,500 children• College prep for hundreds of students• Mini-grants for creative teachers• Technology, uniforms, instruments, and more  “As we celebrate this holiday season of giving, I look back over the past accomplishments of WEDF with pride, appreciation and affection … Read more

Worcester Educational Development Foundation thanks the Major Taylor Association for its generous contribution to our Connected Kids campaign. The funds have provided Worcester Public Schools students with Chromebooks, a much needed resource during the district’s shift to remote learning. Leveling the playing field was central to the struggles and successes of 1899 world cycling champion … Read more

On Sunday, August 30, Ken McCormack of Worcester ran a marathon distance around Worcester’s North Pond. He took on this challenge to raise funds for WEDF’s Connected Kids campaign. To date, his fundraiser has raised almost $2,000 from nearly 40 donors. “I couldn’t have asked for better running weather in August,” noted Ken after completing … Read more

At WEDF, we know that Worcester Public Schools alumni go on to do amazing things. To celebrate our college-bound WPS grads, we wanted to share this list of over 100 institutions in more than 20 states WPS grads will be attending. 2020 WPS College Matriculation Adelphi University Andrews University Anna Maria College Assumption College Becker … Read more

Worcester Educational Development Foundation thanks IPG Photonics for its significant contribution to our Connected Kids campaign. The funds will provide Worcester Public Schools students with Chromebooks, and supports the district’s commitment to a 1:1 student to device ratio. IPG Photonics is a global developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers with world headquarters … Read more