HAVERHILL — Superintendent Maureen Lynch and Principal Chris Laganas are pleased to announce the graduation of 267 students from Whittier Tech.
Students were able to bring four guests each to the graduation ceremony, held on Thursday, June 3, which began at 7 p.m. at Whittier Tech’s turf field. Unvaccinated attendees were advised to wear masks to the outdoor event, per state COVID-19 public health guidance.
“This is a truly special group of young adults. It is bittersweet to see them graduate, but we are tremendously proud of what they have accomplished over the last four years,” Superintendent Lynch said. “These students have been adaptable and resilient amid the pandemic, and remained passionate about their education despite the challenges that came their way. They are ready for this next chapter, and I believe the skills and knowledge they gained will serve them well, wherever their paths may take them.”
“The Class of 2021 has worked very hard to reach this milestone, and came up against challenges none of us could have imagined. Nevertheless, they buckled down and kept studying and challenging themselves in their classes, all while remaining kind and compassionate while we navigated the pandemic,” Principal Laganas said. “Congratulations to the Class of 2021! You have earned this moment.”
Class President Makayla Hoffman, of Rowley, had the honor of delivering the sole speech for the ceremony.
“What I think this past year has taught us all the most is we are capable of overcoming even the most difficult obstacles,” Hoffman said. “I know each and every one of you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, because we did it here today. Nobody plans for a global pandemic halfway through their high school experience. However a lot of life is unpredictable and unplanned and Whittier has given us the tools we will need to take on whatever this life throws at us when we walk across the stage and move on from this chapter.”
Of the Class of 2021, 101 new graduates plan to immediately enter the workforce, 78 plan to attend a four-year college, 67 plan to attend a two-year college, 15 will attend a technical/trade school and six have enlisted in the military.
The Class of 2021 valedictorian is Alyssa Michel, of Haverhill, who studied engineering at Whittier Tech and will attend Northeastern University this fall.
Salutatorian Lilly Fox, of Amesbury, studied masonry at Whittier Tech. Fox plans to enter the masonry field promptly upon graduation.
Fireworks were also set off after the ceremony as a surprise, and were donated by sponsors including Pentucket Bank, the Paul and Thelma Muscavitz Memorial Fund, William P. DeRosa, Magellan Aerospace, Maffei Plumbing & Heating, Branch Street Dental in Methuen and the Baker-Katz Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Whittier Tech wishes to thank the above sponsors for their generous gift.
The Whittier Tech community also extends its thanks to the Design and Visual Communications department and Franz Cooper, a junior of Haverhill, for providing photography services at the ceremony.
For the latest updates, visit Whittier Tech’s website here.
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