Whittier

Whittier’s FIRST Robotics Team Wins Award for “Gracious Professionalism” at Competition

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 22, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier’s FIRST Robotics Team Wins Award for “Gracious Professionalism” at Competition

Students Place 5th Out of 38 teams in New England Tournament

The Whittier FIRST Robotics Team earned the Gracious Professionalism award during a competition on March 16-17. (Courtesy Photo Whittier Tech)

HAVERHILL — Whittier’s FIRST Robotics Team took home an award at its recent competition after students exemplified the spirit of the FIRST program.

Now in its sixth season, team 4929 — the Maroon Monsoon — competed on March 16-17 at the New England Regional Competition. There, they earned the Gracious Professionalism award for their demonstration of FIRST core values – discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork and fun. The team also came in fifth overall out of 38 teams.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) defines Gracious Professionalism as competing like crazy, but doing it with respect and kindness. The team that wins the award blends knowledge, competition and empathy throughout the event.

Team mentor Bob Beaton credits the team earning the award after a change in strategy this year, which was centered on trusting the design process and sticking to the plan.

“It was this spirit that students personified while working in their alliances throughout the weekend that made all the difference,” Beaton said. “I’m extremely proud of how everyone performed over the weekend. We’ve come a long way in six years, and to take home this award while also placing fifth is quite an accomplishment for students.”

During the weekend-long event, students designed and built 125-pound robots and competed against each other in multiple 2 1/2 minute rounds of task-oriented games. The tasks are revealed prior to the competition, in January, and teams have six weeks to design and build their robot.

The FIRST team, which participates in two competitions each year, draws students from a variety of vocational areas, as well as freshmen. Students interested in joining the team meet once a week beginning in September and for longer hours during the six-week build season. This year, the 30-student squad collectively logged 2,339 hours during their build season.

In addition to the team’s recognition, Beaton, received a nomination for the Dr. Woodie Flowers Award, which recognizes an individual who has done an outstanding job of motivating participants through communication, while also challenging students to be clear and succinct in their communications. Whittier students wrote an essay to nominate Beaton earlier this year, and his nomination will be considered at the New England District Championship in late April.

Members of the Maroon Monsoon include:

Juniors: Gabriele Logan, of Newburyport; Josh Horgan, of Merrimac; Matthew Miller, of Amesbury; and Emmanual Jean-Baptiste, of Haverhill.

Sophomores: Isaiah Bacon, of Haverhill; Caleb Cook, of Haverhill; Liam Dunphy, of Haverhill; Tyler Magowan, of Amesbury; Ethan Dang, of Haverhill; Nick Ferragine, of Amesbury; and Cody Pierce, of Haverhill.

Freshmen: Gianna Iannuzzo-Christie, of Haverhill; Sedric Miner, of Ipswich, Ryan Link, of Haverhill; Max Aja, of Haverhill; and Sam Komola of Haverhill.

About FIRST Robotics:

The FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport and the rigors of science. Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer mentors, including engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents, alumni and more, teams of 25+ students build and program robots to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors.

They must also raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to apply for $80 million in college scholarships.

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Whittier’s Drama Club to Perform ‘Curtains’ Spring Musical

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 15, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier’s Drama Club to Perform ‘Curtains’ Spring Musical

Students from Newburyport, Merrimac, Haverhill and Bradford to Star in Production

HAVERHILL — Lights! Cameras! Curtains! Whittier’s Drama Club is gearing up to perform the murder mystery comedy “Curtains” next week.

Based on the book by Peter Stone, the musical is set in Boston in 1959, and begins when the untalented actress Jessica Cranshaw, played by freshman Maria Elms, of Newburyport, is murdered during the opening night curtain call of “Robbin’ Hood of the Old West.”

It’s then up to Lt. Frank Cioffi, played by senior Andrew Roux, of Merrimac, who moonlights as a musical theater fan, to solve the case, save the show and maybe even find love before the production reopens — without getting killed himself. The show, which features a live orchestra, promises to have audience members on the edge of their seats up until the finale.

“I love the acting and the creativity that goes into makeup, costumes, and the way you express your character,” said senior Rhina Tiburcio, of Haverhill, who plays Carmen Bernstein, the play’s brash and brassy Broadway producer.

“Curtains” opens on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. and runs Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $8 at the Whittier school store and at the door for $10. 

While most of the talented actors, actresses, singers and dancers are returning members, the cast has also gained enthusiastic newcomers, including juniors Phineas Sparrow, of Haverhill, who plays Sidney Bernstein — the show’s sleazy, philandering co-producer, and James Alvino, of Haverhill, in the role of Detective O’Farrell. 

“Curtains” has several challenging songs and dance numbers, and the company is rehearsing every day after school and on Saturdays with music teacher Linda Urban, media instructor Rich Porcelli and choreographer Wendy Smith.

“You have to learn so much dancing and all the songs, but in the end it is all worth it,” said freshman Isabella Gallagher, of Merrimac, who is in the ensemble. 

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Whittier’s Cat McNulty Named First Female MIAA State Champion in 170 Pound Weight Class

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier’s Cat McNulty Named First Female MIAA State Champion in 170 Pound Weight Class

HAVERHILL — Whittier junior Cat McNulty made history this year when she became the first female to win the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state champion in girls wrestling for her weight class.

“This is an exciting and well deserved accomplishment for Cat, who has always welcomed any challenge that comes her way,” Wrestling Coach Ryan Richards said. “She worked hard throughout the season and we want to congratulate her on making Whittier history.”

On Feb. 23, the MIAA held its first Girls Wrestling Tournament at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, where female wrestlers throughout the region had the chance to either compete in the traditional mixed gender tournament or the girls tournament. Massachusetts is the 10th state in country to offer a girls tournament.

McNulty, from Haverhill, has been wrestling since her freshman year and is the only girl on Whittier’s wrestling team. She opted to participate in the girls tournament, competing in the 170 pound weight class. The tournament was set up with two semi-final rounds and a finals match up.

Because of McNulty’s strong performance throughout the season, she was the number two seed and had a first round bye.

In the second semi-final match, McNulty beat her opponent, Anya Roberts, of Warwick, in the second period with a power half nelson technique.

McNulty then moved onto the final round against, Aliceya Lopez, of Springfield. The match went all three periods and ended in the first round of overtime on a stalling call.  McNulty emerged victorious, winning 3-2 and becoming the first female to place in her weight class.

“It was really exciting to win, a rush,” McNulty said. “I was over the moon about it. It had such meaning to me that Massachusetts now has their own women’s competition. I created history.”

McNulty first got involved with Whittier wrestling her freshman year, starting off as the team manager before she decided to give the sport a try. After her first match on the junior varsity team against Greater Lawrence Tech, she went to the third round before being pinned. That was all it took — she was hooked.

“After that first match, I knew I wanted to be in the varsity lineup and be able to run out with the team to music and put on the pre-match show,” McNulty recalled. “I liked the discipline and the aggression, every aspect of it, and I just wanted to get better.”

The summer of her sophomore year she began competing with off-season wrestling clubs and joined several girls tournaments with Manchester Police Athletic League, Dough Girls, Smitty’s Barn and Maine Trappers.

This year, McNulty started off the season in the 180 weight class, but then dropped to 170 pounds. Her talent kept her in the varsity lineup for 70 percent of the season, and she looked at each competition with the same grit and determination.

“Each year, she’s gotten better and better,” Richards said. “Next year, I know she’ll work hard to maintain her title.”

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Statement of Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch Regarding Today’s Early Dismissal

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Monday, March 11, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Statement of Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch

Whittier Tech Deemed Safe by Police Following Threat, Early Dismissal

HAVERHILL — The following is a statement from Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch following today’s early dismissal due to a threat located in a school bathroom.

“I am profoundly disappointed by the fact that a school day has been needlessly disrupted for the second time in less than a week by a threat to our community’s safety.

“This behavior is unacceptable and is counter to our values. We will address the seriousness of this issue directly with our students in order to make it clear that there is no place for threats like this at Whittier.

“I want to thank the members of the Haverhill Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and other agencies for their timely and efficient response to this incident, and for helping to ensure our school is indeed safe.

“As a precaution, Haverhill Police will have an increased presence at the school tomorrow in order to further reassure our students and staff. In addition, I want to emphasize that students, staff and families should remain vigilant in coming forward to report any issues that may jeopardize the safety of our school community.”

Due to the disruption in the school day today, Friday, March 22, which was originally supposed to be a half-day, will now be a full day of school.

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