Essex Tech NightHawks Adult Education Opens Registration for Career Technical Institute Courses

pentucketporta on November 29, 2022

Charlene Snow, seated, from the MassHire North Shore Career Center, with IRA Automotive Group participating in an employer meet and greet for NightHawks Automotive Technician students. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech)

HATHORNE ー Superintendent Heidi Riccio announces that registration for winter and spring classes in Essex Tech’s NightHawks Adult Education Program is now open.

The courses, funded through the Baker-Polito Administration’s Career Technical Institute initiative, allows students to engage in industry training, credentialing, and job placement assistance. Courses begin in January.

“Our MassHire North Shore Career Center is an integral partner in the CTI Programs, and through this collaboration, we have substantially increased our employer engagement, often resulting in multiple job offers for our NightHawks students,” said Bonnie Carr, Director of Workforce Development at Essex Tech.

Through the NightHawks program, adult learners develop proficiency and complete certifications that set them apart from other job candidates. 

“Our economy is developing jobs at a tremendous rate, particularly in our priority and critical industries of manufacturing, healthcare, IT, construction, financial services and education. Many members of our labor force require training to take advantage of these tremendous career opportunities. Essex Tech’s programs reflect the skills needed by these industries,” said Mary Sarris, Executive Director of the MassHire North Shore Workforce Board. “We urge anyone interested in entering a career that will provide high wages to take advantage of this training, helping support yourself and your family and contributing to a stronger North Shore economy!”

Course offerings include auto collision repair, construction labor, culinary arts, HVAC, soldering and electronic mechanical assembly, and welding. Applicants will be scheduled, via email, for an in-person interview at Essex Tech to determine program eligibility.

To view the full list of course offerings, click here. To register, click here.

Essex Tech Students Take Home Honors at Massachusetts State FFA Convention

pentucketporta on April 26, 2022

HATHORNE – Superintendent Heidi Riccio shares that Essex Tech students who are members of the Essex Chapter FFA received individual and team honors at the Massachusetts State FFA Convention, and that a student and an alumna will serve as leaders in the state organization for 2022-2023.

Eva Scollo, a 2021 graduate from Wakefield who studied Equine Science, will serve as State FFA President. Kayla Dundon, a senior from Burlington studying Companion Animal, will serve as State FFA Vice President.

Essex Tech students and advisors participated in the annual convention, which was held this year in Sturbridge from March 16-18.

Essex Chapter FFA members also fared well in individual and team competitions.

  • Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal, a junior from Lynn studying Environmental Science, won individual first place honors in Agriscience Fair-Social Systems event and will compete at the National FFA Convention in October.
  • Savannah White, a junior from Melrose studying Veterinary Science, won individual first-place honors in Employability Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) and also qualified to compete at the Nationals.
  • Seniors Shealagh Crowley of Woburn and Amelia Fisher of Andover, junior Murphy Langevin of Somerville, and sophomore Kyleigh Lane of Beverly, earned first place in the Horse Judging Career Development Event (CDE) and will be competing at Nationals in October. Crowley also earned an individual second-place finish.
  • Colleen Kielbania, a freshman from Ipswich studying Sustainable Horticulture, won individual second-place honors in the Creed Speaking LDE, in which first-year students memorize the FFA Creed and present it to the members and judges.
  • Four sophomores studying Veterinary Science – Sofia Dibattista-Kodis of Swampscott, Sam Fecteau of Lynn, Samantha Lord of Danvers, and Jillian Tanner of Lynnfield – earned a second-place finish in the Agricultural Sales CDE.
  • Four seniors studying Sustainable Horticulture – Emily Belski of Tewksbury, Kaleigh Breen of Lynn, Sandra Dennis of Haverhill, and Adriana Neville of Malden – finished third in the Floriculture CDE.
  • Langevin won seventh place in the individual Horse Showmanship competition, while Fisher finished 10th. On the B team, Lane won second place in the individual competition, while sophomore Delia Beaupre of Methuen finished fourth. Beaupre, Crowley, Fisher, and Lane study Equine. Langevin studies Arboriculture.
  • The Veterinary Science team – seniors Renee Cianciulli of Peabody and Carmella Thompson of Wilmington, Giavanna Smith of Revere, and sophomore Ryan Ciulla of North Reading – finished second overall in the Veterinary Science competition. Cianciulli and Ciulla both won a bronze medal in the individual scoring.

“The Ag Sales CDE was an experience that taught me useful skills I can use in a future agricultural career, as well as making wonderful memories I will never forget and love to do again,” Dibattista-Kodis said.

“State Convention is a favorite way to wrap up all the hard work our students have put into their CDEs and LDEs, taking the knowledge from their classroom and applying it in “real world” experiences,” Advisor Clarice Menesale said. “It felt amazing to be back in person this year, a new experience for almost all who attended.”

Superintendent Riccio wishes to thank the chapter’s advisors, Heather Hume, Clarice Menesale and Jillian Plante, as well as the Career Development Event Coaches Linda Corson, Emma Gosselin, Joyce Kimani, and Rebecca Smith for their dedication to the FFA program and commitment to students.

“Congratulations to Eva and Kayla for their elections, and to all of our competition winners and participants,” Superintendent Riccio said. “Our FFA members are learning job and life skills that will be with them forever.”

Essex Tech Students Find Success at DECA State Conference

pentucketporta on March 25, 2022

HATHORNE – Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to share the success of Essex Tech DECA at the State Career Development Conference held in Boston recently.

DECA, a nonprofit business and marketing student organization, works with high schools and colleges to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

More than 4,000 students from across the state participated in about 60 competitions. Two Essex Tech students finished among the top five in their disciplines, earning a spot at the International Career Development Conference on April 23-26 in Atlanta, Georgia:

  • Shaylla Fazolo, a sophomore from Peabody, Professional Selling Event
  • Gabrielle Guimaraes, a senior from Haverhill, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event

Five other Essex Tech students earned recognition for finishing in the top 12 in their discipline:

  • Ella Anderson, a junior from Gloucester, and Sophia and Alexia Luchini, juniors from Salem, Start Up Business Plan
  • Jessica Donald, a senior from Methuen, Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
  • Divanni Fernandez, a junior from Salem, Professional Selling Event

“We have watched as our students have learned and grown, both individually and as a team,” DECA Advisor Joseph Giordano said. “DECA has led them to be stronger in creativity, problem-solving, and self-direction and motivation, all critical skills they will use wherever life takes them.”

“Congratulations to Shaylla and Gabrielle. It is an honor to have two students to qualify for the International Conference,” Superintendent Riccio said. “The competition was fierce, but each our students performed well and learned many valuable lessons.”

Essex Tech Announces Tickets Available for Annual Larkin Gala

pentucketporta on March 22, 2022

HATHORNE — Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech will hold the Annual Larkin Gala in May to support the Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage project.

WHEN:

Saturday, May 14, at 6 p.m.

WHERE:

On the front lawn of Smith Hall at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School

WHAT:

Essex Tech is hosting the Annual Larkin Gala this May, which will raise money to support the school’s Larkin Cottage project.

Essex Tech students from various disciplines, including Construction Craft Laborers, Carpentry, Masonry, Electrical, Plumbing and Agriculture, have been working to rebuild the cottage, using any historically significant or otherwise useful materials from the original cottage in the process.

Built in 1950, the cottage once served as the hub for the Homemaking program at Essex Tech, then known as the Essex County Agricultural School. The cottage is named for Lt. Catherine Larkin, a former student of the homemaking program and World War II nurse who died in a plane crash in 1945. 

This new building, located across Route 62 from the Farm Stand, will include an agricultural museum, learning center and community function space. The facility will feature historic artifacts from the school’s long history, and also will include a kitchen to support events.

“We are committed to the rebuilding of this cottage which includes creating new space for our classes to meet, showcasing the history of our school in particular with agriculture, and hosting community and private events. This project provides invaluable, hands-on learning opportunities for our students. I encourage our alumni, local businesses and organizations and the greater Essex Tech community to join us on May 14 at the Annual Larkin Gala to support this project,” Superintendent Riccio said.

The gala will take place under a tent on the lawn in front of historic Smith Hall, and will feature music, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and farm-to-table meal prepared by the Culinary Arts students. The event will also include a cash beer and wine bar.

The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented. The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes members of the Essex Tech community and its past iterations, including Essex Agricultural and Technical High School, North Shore Technical High School and Peabody Vocational School, who have demonstrated a commitment to and achievement within the local vocational and/or agricultural industries.

Nominations are welcome here.

Tickets for the gala are $150 per person, and $1,200 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased here.

Those looking for additional ways to support the Larkin Cottage project can learn more at essexnorthshore.org/larkin/.

This event was rescheduled from the fall. Tickets previously purchased will be honored.

Superintendent Heidi Riccio, left, presented the 2020 Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award to Brian Cranney, president of the Cranney Home Services, whose company is one of more than 80 working with Essex Tech students for their co-op program. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)

Essex Tech Offering Industry Training and Community Enrichment Adult Education Classes

pentucketporta on November 29, 2021

Participants in Essex Tech’s NightHawks Adult Education Program can choose from a variety of course offerings, such as welding, that include job placement assistance. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)

HATHORNE — Superintendent Heidi Riccio announces Essex Tech’s NightHawks Adult Education Program will offer new industry training and community enrichment course options.

Career Technical Institute (CTI) courses are funded through the Baker-Polito Administration’s Career Technical Institute initiative. These classes include industry training, credentialing and job placement assistance. Essex Tech works in collaboration with the MassHire North Shore Career Center on this initiative. Courses begin in January.

“We continue to see growth in a variety of employment opportunities. Our school has a commitment to training the workforce but also through our enrichment programs,” Superintendent Dr. Riccio said. “Essex Tech hopes that our community members will take advantage of these offerings.”

A full list of courses may be found here. Individual classes are:

CTI – Construction Labor Course-Industry Training with Job Placement Assistance

This Construction Craft Laborers Training Program provides students with industry training and hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in the construction and building trades. The construction industry remains a major growth industry and a source of job opportunities for individuals entering the workforce.

Students enrolled in the Construction Craft Laborer program will earn certifications in Advanced Lead Awareness, OSHA 10 and HotWorks. This training will offer the opportunity to connect with the Local 22 Laborers Union.

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classes start on Tuesday, Jan. 25, continuing for 15 weeks. Additional Career Readiness with MassHire is required. Sessions will be held remotely.
Cost: $75

CTI – Electro Mechanical Assembly Course-Industry Training with Job Placement Assistance 

Students will learn how to use assembly hand tools, print reading, measuring, torquing, micrometers, oscilloscopes, wire harnesses and termination types crimping, pins, lugs, extractors, and connectors. Students also will learn basic electrical theory and lab: conductance of current/electrons flow in an electric circuit, continuity, temperature measurements, decibels, and electrostatics. Students will earn certifications online in OSHA-10 and HotWorks.

Classes: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. Classes start on Tuesday, Jan. 25, continuing for 13 weeks. Additional Career Readiness with MassHire is required. Some sessions will be held remotely.
Cost: $75

CTI – HVAC Course-Industry Training with Job Placement Assistance

This HVAC Training program provides students with basic industry training and hands-on experience: troubleshooting issues, installing, and repairing a broad range of heating and cooling systems, including, window and central air conditioning, refrigeration systems, and various heating systems. Students learn different heating systems such as gas, oil, and electrical. Students receive a basic foundation on cooling systems, and air conditioning system installation and maintenance.Certifications include OSHA-10, HotWorks and EPA608. Students will also receive Career Readiness training.

Students will earn certifications online in OSHA-10 and HotWorks. This training will prepare and create a pathway for future employment in the industry. Students also will receive Career Readiness training. Registrants will be referred to the MassHire Career Center for additional information.

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Classes start on Tuesday, Jan. 25, continuing for 13 weeks. Additional Career Readiness with MassHire is required. Some sessions will be held remotely.
Cost: $75

CTI – Welding Course-Industry Training with Job Placement Assistance

This course will include the basics of oxy-acetylene cutting, along with stick welding, most commonly done in industrial and commercial settings. Additionally, this course will include MIG and TIG welding. Topics include identification of alloys, advantages and drawbacks of each welding type, and a general understanding of the welding arc.

Students will be able to interpret and critique their own welds, making necessary adjustments to their machine or technique. The course will cover joints and positions and students will be working with mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Students will learn basic terminology and techniques, including cutting steel with a torch and making bead welds with the most common types of stick welding. Certifications include OSHA-10 and HotWorks. 

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classes start on Tuesday, Jan. 25, continuing for 15 weeks. Additional Career Readiness with MassHire is required. Some sessions will be held remotely.

Cost: $75

Marine Trades Technical Training

This course will orient participants on the basics of Yamaha outboard motors through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on engine work. An experienced Yamaha instructor will teach skills such as water pump replacements; oil changes; and basic diagnostic procedures, enabling participants to quickly contribute to local marine businesses. OSHA-10 and HotWorks Certifications are included. This class will be held at both Essex Tech and Danversport Marina in Danvers and is supported through the generosity of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA).

Classes: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, starting Tuesday, Jan. 4 and continuing for eight weeks. Classes start at 6 p.m.
Cost: $400

600-Hour Journeyman License Series: Advanced: 75 Hours

This Advanced course is offered for students with more than 450 hours of code and theory instruction. This course also may be taught remotely when needed.

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday, Jan. 4, continuing for 14 weeks. Classes begin at 5 p.m.
Cost: $600

600-Hour Journeyman License Series: Intermediate: 75 Hours

This Intermediate course is offered for students with 150 to 450 hours of code and theory instruction. This course also may be taught remotely when needed.

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday, Jan. 4, continuing for 13 weeks. Classes begin at 5 p.m.
Cost: $600

Plumbing Tier 3 – Session 2

This class follows the state curriculum and is designed to prepare students for the Massachusetts State Examination for the Journeyman Plumbing License. Class will meet for 55 hours of Tier 3. Participants must have completed a Tier 2 program. Participants who have completed Tier 2 at a location other than at Essex Tech must provide a copy of a signed verification of school and shop hours form including hours completed. Participants must be working in the plumbing trade currently. Required: All students must bring their current code book to all classes.

Classes: Tuesdays starting Tuesday, Jan. 11, continuing for 11 weeks. Classes begin at 5 p.m.
Cost: $400

Plumbing Tier 4 – Session 2

This class follows the state curriculum and is designed to prepare students for the Massachusetts State Examination for the Journeyman Plumbing License. Class will meet for 55 hours of Tier 4. Participants must have completed a Tier 3 program. Participants who have completed Tier 3 at a location other than at Essex Tech must provide a copy of a signed verification of school and shop hours form including hours completed. Participants must be working in the plumbing trade currently. Required: All students must bring their current code book to all classes.

Classes: Tuesdays starting Tuesday, Jan. 11, continuing for 11 weeks. Classes begin at 5 p.m.
Cost: $400

Plumbing Tier 5 – Session 2

This class follows the state curriculum and is designed to prepare students for the Massachusetts State Examination for the Journeyman Plumbing License. Class will meet for 55 hours of Tier 5. Participants must have completed a Tier 4 program. Participants who have completed Tier 4 at a location other than at Essex Tech must provide a copy of a signed verification of school and shop hours form including hours completed. Participants must be working in the plumbing trade currently. Required: All students must bring their current code book to all classes.

Classes: Tuesdays starting Tuesday, Jan. 11, continuing for 11 weeks. Classes begin at 5 p.m.
Cost: $400

Essex Tech Students Earn Top Honors at National FFA Convention & Expo

pentucketporta on November 16, 2021

HATHORNE – Superintendent Heidi Riccio and Principal Shannon Donnelly are pleased to share that Essex Tech students attended the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis and returned with team and individual honors.

Essex Tech students competed at local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing Massachusetts at the event.

The Essex Tech team received a Silver Team Emblem in Environmental and Natural Resources. During the event students apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations, focusing on problem-solving and decision-making skills in environmental and natural resources. These areas concentrate on soil profiles, water quality, waste management, and the use of global positioning units.

Team members Kassidy Gamerdinger of Woburn, Jessica Hickey of Tewksbury, Erin Morgan of Tewksbury, and Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal of Lynn were coached by Equine Science Teacher Clarice Mensale.

Hammerschmitt Le Gal received a Silver Individual Emblem, while Gamerdinger was awarded a Bronze Individual Emblem.

Savannah White of Melrose, coached by English Teacher Joyce Kimani, won an Individual Bronze Emblem in Prepared Public Speaking. The National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event recognizes FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue, in a well-thought-out and logical manner, and in a competitive setting. Members prepare and deliver an eight- to 10-minute speech from memory and respond to five minutes of questions.

“Essex FFA has a rich history in providing agricultural education to our students on the North Shore. We are excited to be able to represent our school at the national competition and earn multiple awards,” Superintendent Dr. Riccio said.

Essex Tech FFA Officers Kayla Dundon of Burlington, Gwendolynn Therrien of Methuen, and Sophia Roderick of Woburn also attended the Convention & Expo.

“Congratulations to our FFA Silver and Bronze medalists. I want to commend our students for all the hard work and dedication it took to achieve this recognition. I am so proud of the way they represented the Essex FFA Chapter at the National level,” Principal Donnelly said.

This event, held Oct. 27-30, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis and Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, Indiana, is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.

Essex Tech students and coaches attended the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. From left, front row, Gwendolynn Therrien, Erin Morgan; second row, Sustainable Horticulture Teacher Jillian Plante, Sophia Roderick, Kassidy Gamerdinger; third row, Equine Science Teacher Clarice Mensale, Jessica Hickey, Savannah White; fourth row, Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal, Essex Tech alumni Kristen Kish, Kayla Dundon. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)

Essex Tech Announces Tickets Available for Homecoming Gala to Assist Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage Project

pentucketporta on September 16, 2021

The Annual Larkin Homecoming Gala returns to an in-person event next month. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)

HATHORNE — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech will hold the Annual Larkin Homecoming Gala this fall to support the Catherine Larkin Memorial Cottage project.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m.

WHERE:

On the front lawn of Smith Hall at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School

WHAT:

Essex Tech is hosting the Annual Larkin Homecoming Gala this October, which will raise money to support the school’s Larkin Cottage project.

Essex Tech students from various disciplines, including Construction Craft Laborers, Carpentry, Masonry, Electrical, Plumbing and Agriculture, have been working to rebuild the cottage, using any historically significant or otherwise useful materials from the original cottage in the process.

During the last year, the Local 22 Laborers’ Union completed the foundation in collaboration with Essex Tech’s Construction Craft Laborer and Masonry students and in partnership with S&F Concrete. The school also worked with ADD Griffin, Boston architectural firm designLAB, and Richard Griffin from Derby Square Architects.

Built in 1950, the cottage once served as the hub for the Homemaking program at Essex Tech, then known as the Essex County Agricultural School. The cottage is named for Lt. Catherine Larkin, a former student of the Homemaking program and World War II nurse who died in a plane crash in 1945. 

This new building, located across Route 62 from the Farm Stand, will include an agricultural museum, learning center and community function space. The facility will feature historic artifacts from the school’s long history, and also will include a kitchen to support events.

“Rebuilding the Larkin Cottage is going to provide an invaluable, hands-on learning opportunity for our students, while also creating a new space for our classes to meet, showcase the historic past of our school and host community and private events,” Superintendent Riccio said. “We’re thrilled to rebuild the cottage, and I encourage our alumni, local businesses and organizations and the greater Essex Tech community to join us again at the Annual Larkin Homecoming Gala to support this project.”

The gala will take place under a tent on the lawn in front of Smith Hall, and will feature music, hors d’oeuvres, a live and a silent auction, and a farm-to-table meal prepared by Essex Tech culinary students. The event will also include a cash beer and wine bar.

The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented as well. The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes members of the Essex Tech community and its past iterations, including Essex Agricultural and Technical High School, North Shore Technical High School and Peabody Vocational School, who have demonstrated a commitment to and achievement within the local vocational and/or agricultural industries.

Nominations are welcome here. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 1.

While the cost of the project is lower as a result of the work students will provide to rebuild the cottage, Essex Tech has set a fundraising goal of about $2.5 million. The 2020 Larkin Gala, held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, raised about $16,200 due to the generosity of the Essex Tech community.

Tickets for the gala are $150 per person, and $1,200 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased here.

Those looking for additional ways to support the Larkin Cottage project can learn more at essexnorthshore.org/larkin/.

Essex Tech Educational Partner Honored by Project Green Schools for Sustainability Work

pentucketporta on June 16, 2021

HATHORNE – Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio and Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School are pleased to share that Educational Partner Jim Bauer has received an Energy Award from Project Green Schools.

Bauer, founder and CEO of Clean Power & Light, has worked with Essex Tech for more than four years to implement sustainable and renewable energy. Bauer also works with Essex Tech on school-based applied learning projects, new career pathways, and revisions to Career Technical Education curriculum frameworks to integrate sustainability.

Bauer advised the District on numerous sustainability projects, including electric vehicle (EV) campus charging stations and project-based learning focusing on sustainability through funding from Mass IDEAS (Innovative Designs in Education for All Students).

Bauer worked with the District and its legislative delegation toward passage of a bill that will allow the District to sign a lease agreement of up to 25 years with Danvers Electric and third-party investors to provide green renewable energy. This will be the first renewable energy agreement in Massachusetts partnering a public agency and municipal light district.

Jim Bauer, third from left, Educational Partner with Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, and Essex Tech students testify before a legislative panel at the Statehouse in Boston.

Bauer also served as a liaison between the District and Bio360 for a feasibility study by 40 students for viability and technology in anaerobic digestion, composting laws, general sustainability in Agriculture and food management.

Project Green Schools honored Bauer and other recipients during its Annual Green Difference Awards, held virtually on May 27.

“The credit here goes to Superintendent Riccio, the ENSATS teachers and staff, and above all the students for pioneering and supporting many of these efforts, and for the interest and enthusiasm they have displayed for clean energy and sustainability,” Bauer said. “We are, all of us, interested in making this a better world for ourselves and those who follow, and we are seeing first hand how that can be done with the focus, talent, creativity, energy and enthusiasm coming out of ENSATS.  It has been and will continue to be inspiring working with them.” 

“Jim has had a tremendous impact on Essex Tech and its students, and we’re thrilled that he is being honored with this much-deserved award,” Superintendent Riccio said, “Through his work, Essex Tech students will be able to investigate sustainability as part of curriculum and choose career pathways into sustainable/renewable careers.”

Essex Tech Announces Valedictorian, Salutatorian for Class of 2021

pentucketporta on May 24, 2021

HATHORNE — Essex Tech is pleased to announce its Class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian, and speakers for its graduation ceremony next month.

  • Valedictorian Molly McDonald is an Environmental Technology student from Swampscott. McDonald plans on attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., where she will major in Engineering and minor in Environmental Science. She will also play varsity lacrosse and serve in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.  
  • Salutatorian Helen Clark, a student in Biotechnology and also lives in Swampscott.  Ellie plans on attending Salisbury University, where she will major in Biology. 

State Sen. Joan Lovely, a distinguished alumnus from Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute, will deliver the school’s seventh Commencement Address. Sen. Lovely represents the 2nd Essex District. She also delivered the Commencement Address for North Shore Technical High School’s Class of 2011.  

Two Essex Tech students also will speak.

Kevin Rush, an Advanced Manufacturing student from Salem, is the winner of the Massachusetts Vocational Association Outstanding Vocational Student Award.  Kevin will be attending the University of Rhode Island studying Mechanical Engineering in the Honors program in the fall.

The closing speaker at the graduation ceremony will be Class President Tyler Geary, a student in Carpentry from Salem who plans on attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study Civil Engineering..

Essex Tech graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 4, at 6 p.m., with a rain date of Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Attendance is by invitation only.