From left: Metal fabrication juniors Juan Reyes of Lawrence, Brady Valliere of Methuen, Carlos Burgos of Lawrence, Keishaly Tellez Jimenez of Methuen, and Anya Santiago of Lawrence. (Courtesy Photo Greater Lawrence Tech) From left: Metal Fabrication Instructor Stephanie Dicecca, metal fabrication program junior Zach Novak of Methuen, metal fabrication program junior Orlendi Hernandez of Lawrence, and metal fabrication program junior Frankie Rosario of Lawrence. (Courtesy Photo Greater Lawrence Tech) 
GLTS metal fabrication students worked with the City of Lawrence to develop a sculpture dedicated to the COVID-19 vaccine. (Courtesy Photo GLTS)
ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie is proud to share that students and staff at Greater Lawrence Tech built a COVID-19 vaccination-themed sculpture for the City of Lawrence.
Approximately 10 metal fabrication juniors began working in May alongside instructors to build a metal and plexiglass heart sculpture commissioned by Mayor Kendrys Vasquez for the City of Lawrence. The heart will be filled with plexiglass slats representing the percentage of the community which has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Students and staff finished the sculpture on Wednesday, June 16.
“Of our sending communities, Lawrence has been hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and our students witnessed that firsthand. It was an honor for them to be able to build this sculpture, and use their skills and knowledge to create a visually appealing work of art representing the healing and hope of the ongoing vaccination effort,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “We’re deeply appreciative that Mayor Vasquez thought of GLTS for this meaningful project, and look forward to seeing the sculpture installed this summer.”
“As we continue to ramp up our efforts to vaccinate more Lawrence residents, we are excited to work with GLTS on this project that highlights the community’s collective progress,” Mayor Vasquez said. “This sculpture serves as a reminder for residents to encourage their family, friends and neighbors to get vaccinated. It’s an honor for us to work with the students on a design that embodies the spirit of Lawrence and the community’s desire to come together again.”
The sculpture will be installed this summer, and details about an event revealing the sculpture will be shared with the community when available.
“I think it’s very cool that the Mayor of Lawrence specifically asked us to work on this project,” said Brady Valliere, a junior of Methuen in the metal fabrication program. “It will be in the city and as the heart fills up I can tell my mom: yeah, I made that for the City of Lawrence. It’s a really big honor to actually do this and be part of their team.”
“It’s good to get the chance to pitch in to show that even young kids can bring such a big change to many other people,” said Orlendi Hernandez, a junior of Lawrence in the metal fabrication program.
Metal fabrication instructor Stephanie Dicecca sketched the design for the sculpture, which students then referred to, utilizing their skills and knowledge to bring the concept to life.
“We are doing our part, telling people to get the vaccine to prevent the spread.,” said Zach Novak, a junior of Methuen in the metal fabrication program.
“It was great to work together on this as a team,” said Carlos Burgos, a junior of Lawrence in the metal fabrication program.
To find out where to get vaccinated in Lawrence, visit cityoflawrence.com/vaclawrence to see all the sites and times that vaccines are available across the City.
For the latest updates about Greater Lawrence Tech, visit the school’s website here. To learn more about adult education at Greater Lawrence Tech, click here.
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