Whittier Tech Student(s) of the Month for the 2021-2022 School Year

Our September Student of the Month was Ray Lurie.

He is the son of Arthur and Lisa Lurie of Newbury.  Ray is in 12th grade and is part of the Design and Visual Communications vocation.  Ray is a member of the chess club, volunteers at a preschool, is on the yearbook staff, and has been the recipient of several awards including the 2020 Excellence in Education award and the National Technical Honor Society.  Ray hopes to work as a freelance artist in his future career.

Our October Student of the Month was Jocelyn Aguilar Arriola.

Jocelyn is the daughter of Juana Aguilar of Amesbury. She is in 11th grade and is part of the Culinary Arts program. She is a member of the Multicultural Club, and works as a full time server at Sylvan Street Grill. Jocelyn is a role model in perseverance and attitude. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and hails from El Salvador. She loves to read in both English and Spanish. Jocelyn loves what she does in her vocation and she hopes to work as a Hospitality Manager in her future career.

Our November Student of the Month was Jeremy Alvarez. 

Jeremy is the son of Esperanza Jimenez of Haverhill.  He is in the 10th grade and is part of the Electrical program.  Jeremy is a member of the Multicultural Club and chess club.  He played soccer this fall and has been a tour guide at Open House and for 8th grade tours.  Jeremy goes out of his way to lend a helping hand and comes to school every day with a positive attitude and a great work ethic.  

Our December Student of the Month was Madison (Maddy) Dawkins. 

Maddy is the daughter of Douglas and Allyson Dawkins of Haverhill.  She is in the 11th grade and is part of the CAD program.  Maddy is a high honor student, a member of Skills USA and the CAD Advisory Board, and a talented three-season athlete (soccer, basketball, and track). This fall season, she was recognized as a CAC All-Star in soccer.  Earlier this year, Maddy was recognized with an Excellence in Education award from the Newburyport Savings Bank.  She has also helped with eighth grade tours and has been a wonderful role model.

Our January Student of the Month was Mitchell Barlay. 

Mitchell is the son of Melody Lilly of Haverhill.  He is in the 12th grade and is part of the Plumbing program.  Mitchell has exemplified maturity, hard work, grit and determination in the face of adversity.  He has excelled in his academics, his shop, and at his co-op, where he is an integral part of the company.  He has been recognized for his integrity, responsibility, and commitment to his family.  In addition to his co-op, Mitchell holds another part-time job, as well.  

Our February Student of the Month was Kai Portalla. 

Kai is the son of Brett and Penny Portalla of Haverhill.  He is in the 11th grade and is part of the Electronics/Robotics program.  Kai has proven to be a leader among our student population, is a part of the GSA, and has assisted the basketball team as a bookkeeper.  He is currently participating in co-op at Rochester Electronics and has aspirations of studying marine engineering following graduation. 

Our March Student of the Month was Lauren Jiolo. 

Lauren is the daughter of Marcel and Karine Jiolo of Haverhill.  She is in the 11th grade and is part of the Medical Assisting program.  Lauren has demonstrated qualities of leadership through her involvement with Skills USA.  She is currently the treasurer of the club and has helped organize fundraisers such as Toys for Tots and the canned food drive.  She has also assisted with tours at Open Houses and for prospective student events.  Lauren is a motivated and dedicated student who regularly contributes to class discussions and is kind and considerate to her classmates. 

Our April Student of the Month was Myles Rochon.  

Myles Rochon is the son of Alisha and Juli Rochon of Haverhill MA.  Myles is a grade 10 student in the Early Education & Care vocational program.  Earlier this year, Myles eloquently and passionately represented Whittier and his shop by appearing in a new promotional video for the school.  Myles is a highly self-aware, mature, compassionate, and welcoming individual who has shown strong leadership skills.  In addition to being a highly capable student, Myles is a leader in GSA at the school and state level, including participation at a summer GSA leadership summit. This past year, he applied and was selected to be one of the state-wide facilitators for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Safe Schools program.  In this role, Myles strives to make schools safe and inclusive for every student in the state of Massachusetts, not just Whittier Tech.  In addition to his tremendous accomplishments through GSA, he is a member of the Advisory Board, and is on the Leadership Board for Skills USA, as well as a participant at the district and state levels of the Skills USA competitions.  It is a unanimous decision that Myles makes Whittier Tech a better place!  

Our May Student of the Month was Victoria Dawkins. 

Victoria Dawkins is the daughter of Allyson and Douglas Dawkins of Haverhill, MA.  She is a highly motivated and accomplished member of the Class of 2023.  Victoria is a student in Health Assisting.  She has earned her CNA and is currently participating in a clinical experience at local nursing home.  She is a member of the basketball and soccer teams, and has been voted captain for the soccer team for her senior year.  In addition to her athletic involvement, Victoria holds a part-time job at a local supermarket yet still manages to perform at a very high academic standard.  Despite all of her accomplishments and achievements, Victoria remains humble and respectful of her classmates, teachers, and coaches.   

Our June Student of the Month was Maria Camila Garcia.

Maria is the daughter of Leydi Royas and Gustavo Osorio of Haverhill. She is an 11th grade honor student in Carpentry, is a member of the Multicultural Club and was recently inducted to the National Techincal Honor Society. Currently, she is a co-op student at a Latinx, woman-owned and operated design-build firm in Boston called Rebel Builders. She is a role model in perseverance and attitude, and creates high expectations for herself. She has been a peer leader in our community and has offered her services as a bilingual tour guide at Whittier Open Houses and other events. She hails from Colombia, and enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, spending time with her family and friends, and participating in her church youth group. She is looking forward to a career in architecture.