For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose High School Students Recognized at Global Education Celebration

MELROSE — Principal Jason Merrill is pleased to announce the success of the Global Education in Melrose (GEM) celebration that recognized outstanding work by Melrose High School students who have completed the GEM pathway and certificate program.

The GEM celebration, which occurred Thursday evening in the high school’s Learning Commons, was a combination of awarding medals to seven students for excellent final projects and inducting students into the Melrose High School Global Language Honor Society.

Those in attendance were addressed by keynote speaker Congresswoman Katherine Clark as well as other inspirational leaders from the Melrose community, including Mayor Gail Infurna, Superintendent Cyndy Taymore and Adam LaFrance from the Melrose Human Rights Commission.

Seniors Emma Bates, Helen Burtnett, Isabella Castro, Lucien Carbonneau, Holly Moore, Lauren Reilly and James Talbot presented their final projects to the crowd and were later awarded Global Education in Melrose medals. The award is given to students who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating global thinking, effective global language communication skills and relationship building efforts with those of different cultures.

Thirty-three seniors studying either French, Italian, German, or Spanish were inducted into the Melrose High School Global Language Honor Society based upon their hard work throughout their high school careers. Inductees maintained an overall GPA of 3.75 by the end of the first semester of their junior year, maintained an A average in their language studies courses, are at least level two in their language, and have either participated in the National Language Exam at least once or are active participants in a language club.

“We live in a global world, and mastering another language is an invaluable asset to all individuals,” Principal Merrill said. “I am so proud of all the students who were recognized and highly encourage them all to continue in their language studies.”

Congresswoman Clark spoke about the importance of the tenets of GEM — thinking globally, communicating effectively and contributing responsibly — in an increasingly globalized society.  She explained that knowing about other cultures, speaking multiple languages and participating in activities that help bring people together are necessities to pursuing a “global education.”

The MHS Global Education in Melrose (GEM) Program is designed to foster students’ global awareness, to recognize the accomplishments of students who represent the school around the globe, and to provide graduates with the essential skills for participating in and contributing to an increasingly global society.

Melrose High School’s Global Language Honor Society rewards and recognizes exceptional achievement in language studies. It promotes high standards of scholarship in language studies, supports and encourages language studies, stimulates interest in and enthusiasm for language studies, and promotes and perpetuates international friendships and cultural understandings.

The 2018 Global Language Honor Society inductees are listed below:

French
Sean Cady
Lucien Carbonneau
Saoirse Connolly
Sierra Evans
Mahta Fesshaie
Virginia Guanci
Owen Markham
Kathleen Meade
Holly Moore
Simon Stringer
Owen Thorsteinsson
Peter Weisen

German
Patrick Donohue
Tara O’Shea
Lauren Reilly
James Talbot

Italian
Samantha D’Alessandro
Celia Delani
Rachel DiFraia
Alba Ilia
Christy Ilia
Robert Mele
Tess Mele
Faith Waaramaa

Spanish
Isabel Albuja
Olivia DeCecca
Kyle Farris
Caitlin Kenney
Samantha Kroon
Grace Mercer
Catherine Sweet
Jack Wells
Jack Whitley

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