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
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.
In January 2022, Nina’s daughter, Sally Cummings, established the Nina and Miriam Barber Scholarship with preference for a North High School female student who has had a solid B grade average and an economic need for financial assistance. The family of Nina and Miriam prefers that an aspiring language teacher is chosen. The student will be selected by the principal and/or guidance counselor.
This generous legacy gift is an example of how a family can honor loved ones of the past and, at the same time, invest in the future of our most precious resource, the students who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Learn more about the Barber sisters through these slides provided by the family.
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 it did–all students were assigned computers this school year.
With the most urgent need met, WEDF’s goal for 2021 was to assist seniors in preparing for the next phase of their education. This was the basis of the “Connected Scholars” program.
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 Cathy Knowles, the College and Career Readiness Liaison. As a result, the foundation was able to provide computers to 31 WPS graduates from eight high schools.
Looking ahead to 2022, WEDF’s goal is to more than triple this number. The ambitious target is to provide 100 laptops to WPS graduating seniors next year. (Want to help us reach our goal? Click here to donate.)
We are so pleased with the success of this program and look forward to continuing to build it in the future!
2021 Connected Scholars
Ny’Asia Adams-Russell • Burncoat High School • MCPHS University – Boston Tigist Asmare • University Park Campus School • Quinsigamond Community College Hillary Boadu • Burncoat High School • College of the Holy Cross Shayla Bradwell • South High Community School • Salem State University David Castillo • Worcester Technical High School • Worcester State University Maria Diego Gomez • South High Community School • Quinsigamond Community College Kayla Etwaroo • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College Carla Febus-Romero • University Park Campus School • Anna Maria College Trinity Graham • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College Noora Habeeb • North High School • Middlesex Community College Evelyn HernandezMo • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College Abigail Kouevi • Worcester Technical High School • Quinsigamond Community College Santos Leucaris Javier • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College Azellie Luyo • Burncoat High School • Worcester State University Evelyne Nibitanga • Doherty Memorial High School • University of Massachusetts Amherst Sharlotte Nishimwe • Claremont Academy • Worcester State University Saidah Nisubreko • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College Michael Nixdorf • Burncoat High School • Worcester Polytechnic Institue Thantei Nsafoah • South High Community School • University of Massachusetts Lowell Paul O’Connell • Worcester Technical High School • Quinsigamond Community College Kayla Otero • Worcester Technical High School • Fitchburg State University Berika Pierre • University Park Campus School • Fitchburg State University Neisha Pommier • Claremont Academy • Worcester State University Shannon Prosper • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College Maroua Rahaoui • Worcester Technical High School • Worcester State University Tirsa Ramirez • Claremont Academy • Quinsigamond Community College Carlos Ramirez Hualey • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College Seraphina Rose • North High School • Quinsigamond Community College Julius Tionna • Gerald Creamer Center • Mount Wachusett Community College Dayanara Velazquez • Burncoat High School • Assumption University Maryann Waleed • Doherty Memorial High School • Quinsigamond Community College
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 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 has 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 2021 Betty Reidy scholarship recipients are Georgette Adu Agyekum, who will be attending Fitchburg State University to pursue a career in health care, Angel Mensah, who has been accepted at UMASS Dartmouth to study nursing, and Wendy Williams, who will attend UMASS Lowell to study nursing.
Dr. Lee Gurel Award
The 2021 Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement Enlgish has been awarded to student An Nguyen and his teacher, Jon Brien. Mr. Nguyen 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.
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 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 28, 2021 at a banquet held to honor the awardees.
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 here.
In addition to filling out the basic information about the alumnus, be sure to include a one-page biographical 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.
Further instructions are available on the nomination form.
We look forward to seeing this year’s nominees, and selecting the next class of Distinguished Alumni! Be sure to spread the word!
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. Over time, we aim to expand through special events, mentoring and volunteer opportunities. An Alumni Directory allows you to easily find and connect with other alumni, no matter where they’re located.
In addition, we are continuing to conduct an alumni and community interest survey. We began collecting responses in June seeking feedback regarding the information, services and updates that are important to you. If you haven’t completed the survey yet, it’s not too late! Take the survey.
Worcester alumni and local residents are a tremendous base of support for our schools, and it is our mission to keep the public and our alumni engaged in the challenges and opportunities our schools have. This community interest survey is helping us learn more about what it would look like for our school district to create stronger bonds with alumni and community members.
We are very much looking forward to moving ahead with this initiative!
Graduates of Worcester schools, former school district students, supporters and all local residents may sign up for the alumni network and receive regular news and updates. This includes information on district news and events, community points of pride, class reunions and how alumni and residents can get more involved in Worcester schools. There will also be regular profiles on alumni who have gone on to serve their communities in notable ways.
We invite you to check out the alumni network and all that this online community has to offer. We look forward to connecting with you!
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 for the many people who have made our work possible. Fifteen years ago, a small group of us had two things: $ 10 and a belief that many people throughout the Worcester community care about and are willing to support the Worcester Public Schools. Today, realizing that WEDF has invested more than $ 6 million in the district, that belief has proven to be true.” — Stephen Mills, President
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 Major Taylor, aka “the Worcester Whirlwind.” As an African American, he was often denied equal footing, in his career and in other aspects of his life, because of his race. He used the term “square deal” 30 times in his autobiography, and he prefaced the chapters with verses about “a fair field and no favor.” He addressed advice directly to youth.
Through its free downloadable curriculum guide, as well as events and activities of Major Taylor cycling clubs across the country, the Major Taylor Association aims to teach and learn from Major Taylor’s trailblazing experiences to help shape a fair future for all.
“When we saw how the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden and speedy transition to online education, and how it exposed inequities on many levels, we looked for a way to respond to this urgent need,” said Lynne Tolman, president of the Major Taylor Association. “We’re grateful that the Worcester Educational Development Foundation got right on it, and we’re pleased to be able to help the Connected Kids effort to bridge the ‘digital divide’ and ensure all Worcester students can participate fully in their education.”
To learn more about the Connected Kids campaign, or to donate, click here.
