Whittier Tech Expands Hospitality Program, Creating New Educational Opportunities for Students
HAVERHILL – Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to share the successful expansion of the Whittier Tech’s Hospitality pathway, which is enhancing real-world job training and opportunities for students upon graduation.
Whittier Tech opened a new coffee café in mid-September, first to faculty, then to the public. The café, which is adjacent to the school’s Poet’s Inn restaurant, includes a bakery case, espresso machine, and point of sales systems to allow students to learn operations for takeout orders.
As part of the initiative, Whittier Tech students are touring local businesses in the hospitality industry to learn about the paths their education can take them.
On their first field trip, students visited Briar Barn Inn in Rowley, a farmhouse inn, restaurant, and spa. Sarah Boucher, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, led Whittier Tech students and staff on a tour including the guest rooms, the wedding venue, the Grove Restaurant, pool, and spa.
The students’ professionalism and high level of engagement impressed the Briar Barn Inn leadership. The Inn now is working with Whittier’s Hospitality Advisory Board to create an unpaid internship for a sophomore in the fourth quarter of the school year.
“One of our main goals at Whittier Tech is to anticipate market needs and prepare our students to fill those emerging jobs,” Superintendent Lynch said. “Hospitality instructors Krizstina Perron and Nicole Grupposo have been working diligently, given projected growth in industry, to provide the most opportunities for our graduates. We are especially grateful for this emerging partnership with Briar Barn Inn, which will be a plus for our students.”
Hospitality students say they are benefiting from these new opportunities.
“I really enjoyed interacting with the people and putting smiles on their faces. As long as the public is happy, I am happy,” said Alannah Noone, a sophomore from Salisbury. “Quarter 1, as a sophomore exploring the Hospitality track, the opportunities for travel, industry choices and interacting with different people are really appealing.”
“I like the experience of helping customers; at the end of the day, I feel happy,” said Jana Vicioso, a sophomore from Haverhill. “I feel proud of the work I did.”
The café is open for breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m., and for lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., except for Wednesdays, weekends, holidays, and during in-school functions. Daily offerings include a “Daily Brew,” weekly pastries, and cold lunch options. Patrons also may order the regular Poet’s Inn menu for hot meals or daily specials.