HOLYOKE Since 1995 FREE the June 11, 2021 Local News
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Serving the city HOLYOKE since 1995 FREE the June 11, 2021 Local news. Local stories. Local advertisers. A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com [email protected] www.sun.turley.com CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 Holyoke grads beat the heat By Shelby Macri [email protected] HOLYOKE – The Holyoke High School North Campus graduation ceremo- ny took place on Sunday, June 6 and more than 250 seniors completed their high school journey and received their diplomas. The weather on Sunday was bright and sunny without a cloud in the sky, causing a very hot day for the graduates, staff, and attendees of the graduation ceremony. Acting Mayor Terence Murphy opted out of giving his speech so the passing of diplo- mas could start and the cere- mony would be one step closer Graduates Zariah Figueroa and Ashanti Ridley. Photo by David Henry to ending. Since the heat was beating down on all in atten- dance Murphy wanted get peo- Dean Technical ple out of the sun as quickly as possible and didn’t want to add to the length of the ceremony, celebrates graduation making him the most valuable speaker of the day. HOLYOKE – Last Friday and vocational programs offered Berrios was the leading afternoon, the Dean Technical at the school. It was attended example of perseverance as campus celebrated its gradua- by the acting mayor, superinten- he continued to sing and belt tion ceremony with a short event dent, and other dignitaries. Due out notes regardless of the fin- right on campus in the gymnasi- to the uncertain weather, it was icky microphone, which was um. The event featured 39 grad- necessary to move the ceremony William Alicea points out toward his family and friends after receiving uates of the various technical indoors. See HHS, page 10 his diploma. Photo by Shelby Macri Persistence in spite of pandemic theme of HCC Commencement HOLYOKE – Holyoke “There is no question that vators, our family, our commu- Community College celebrated the last 18 months have been nity, and our world.” the classes of 2020 and 2021 difficult and the losses have In his speech, Gutiérrez, on Saturday, June 5, with a vir- been profound,” Royal said. HCC associate professor of tual Commencement ceremo- “The time that was taken from Spanish and Latinx Studies, ny in which speakers stressed you was beyond your control. invoked wisdom from “mi guel- the challenges presented by the What you take from it, however, ita María” – his grandmother COVID-19 pandemic and the that is up to you.” – who always said, “Pórtate fortitude of graduates who over- Keynote speeches were bien.” The literal translation of came them. delivered by two members that expression is “behave well,” “You have accomplished of the HCC faculty: Raúl but Gutiérrez said it took him something amazing during one Gutiérrez, of Holyoke, recipi- many years to understand what of the most significant times in ent of the 2021 Elaine Marieb she really meant. our world’s history,” President Faculty Chair for Teaching “For me now, pórtate Christina Royal said in her Excellence; and Vanessa bien is to carry yourself with introductory remarks. “It is Martinez, of Holyoke, recipi- compassion, love and soidari- my great pleasure to share this ent of the 2020 Elaine Marieb ty toward humanity,” Gutiérrez moment with you, a moment Faculty Chair for Teaching said. “Don’t fake empathy. Live that celebrates not only an Excellence. it! When you learn and embrace important milestone in your Holyoke Community College celebrated commencement exercises last Martínez, professor that you are sharing the world lives, but the resilience and Saturday afternoon. Submitted photo Anthropology and coordinator with other humans, you will determination you have demon- of the HCC Honors Program, truly succeed!” strated through a truly unbeliev- ulatory messages, and a virtual ing class. encouraged graduates to engage “To the graduates of 2020 able time.” procession of graduates. “I believe the classes of their passions, find like-minded and 2021,” he said, “you will be “There were high moments HCC Commencement 2020 and 202 will be recorded souls, and then “take action,” to remembered as the class of the and low moments, and a whole was cancelled in 2020 after the in HCC history as two of the turn those passions into projects pandemic. I challenge you to lot of uncertain moments,” she pandemic forced the college to most extraordinary,” said Royal. to help improve their commu- strive for change. For the next said, “But you kept going, and transition to remote instruction. “In the midst of earning your nities. chapter of you life, I challenge that is why you are here today.” Although the 703 members of degree, you had to pivot to com- “You are more than just you to show up, speak up and The live-streamed event, the class of 2020 received their pletely different modes of learn- survivors of a pandemic,” she stand up in all of your commu- broadcast on the HCC website diplomas last year, they did not ing. And you did so successful- said, “ustedes son nuestros nities and in all of your endeav- and the college’s social media receive an official public recog- ly. You faced uncertainty with soñadores, nuestros innova- ors – simply GIVE! If everyone channels, featured pre-record- nition until Saturday, where they compassion and perseverance, dores, nuestra familia, nuestra ‘se portara bien’ like my gand- ed faculty and student speeches, were hailed alongside the 767 and you pushed forward with comunidad y nuestro mundo – musical performances, congrat- members of this year’s graduat- relentless spirit.” you are our dreamers, our inno- See HCC, page 10 ◗ In The News Business group shares keys to success By Shelby Macri [email protected] HOLYOKE – City officials host- ed a listening session partnered with Entrepreneurship-for-All, gathering nine business leaders to talk about their busi- ness. The EforAll program accelerates economic and social impact in commu- nities through inclusive entrepreneur- ship, it helps communities nationwide and the with a main office in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Executive Director of EforAll in Holyoke Tessa Murphy-Romboletti co-hosted the event and brought staff members Gabriella Candelario and Jayne Melendez. EforAll offers programs for people wanting to start a business of any kind, they can help with funding and finding appropriate sources for funding; as well as showing business leaders book keep- ing, how to advertise, keeping up social media, connecting to the right lawyers, and more. The nine business leaders that EforAll mentor and local business owner EforAll members Isaias Rosario and Juan Paper City Clothing Company owner Katy attended spoke about the help that the Hope Ross Gibaldi speaks in front of other Vasquez listen to Nicole Ortiz speak. Moonan talks about her business and the EforAll program has given them, espe- members Sandra Rubio, Tessa Murphy- Photos by Shelby Macri program. cially after COVID-19 and the pandemic Romboletti, and Gabriella Candelario. that ensued. Holyoke,” said Murphy. “I’m trying to Murphy-Romboletti, Gibaldi is now a Acting Mayor Terence Murphy said Holyoke as much as hearing about the get you guys as much attention as pos- Community Engagement Manager the listening session was a chance to tell EforAll program. sible. You’ll have a chance to talk about at Valley Venture Mentors. Through the community about the businesses in “Thank you for your commitment in your business and what you do, promote EforAll Gibaldi was able to receive fund- your business and talk about EforAll.” ing and grants, allowing her to but need- Murphy-Romboletti said EforAll is ed equipment that she still uses to this to help people start up their business and day. make sure they have the right connec- Another business leader that spoke tions, setting them up to be successful. about the helpful access to funding that EforAll offers programs and classes for EforAll provides was Sandra Rubio of people wanting to start their own busi- Totally Baked 413; a cafe and bakery in ness, they also give business leaders Holyoke. They serve breakfast, lunch, access to a mentor or three to help them and baked sweets along with custom in their journey. Each business leader made cakes and pastries. present spoke about the help, access, and Rubio spoke about how fund- bond they have with their mentors from ing from EforAll helped her to buy a EforAll; many businesses had taken a bigger mixer, allowing her to increase class and were in a cohort in 2019. the amount and time of product output; Their mentors kept in contact with which helped her business overall. Rubio them throughout last year and the pan- said the shop recently opened custom demic, helping and connecting in any cake orders as more and more weddings JOIN US FOR way they could; each leader expressed are being planned, she’s receiving an A REE EMINAR their thanks for the mentors they con- influx of requests after making one post F S nected with due to EforAll. Murphy- to the community and she’s grateful for Romboletti mentioned that while helping that. Paying for Retirement business leaders is the main part of the Others spoke about funding, like job she enjoys, the fact that the business Isaias Rosario of Infused Element, a Featured Speaker leaders are also community leaders is start-up company that would offer can- Joseph L. Roche: President of The Roche Associates, Inc. what makes the program and the people nabis infused products that are locally who take it that much better in Murphy-Notes: made and sold in the city. Rosario also Wednesday, June 23rd or Thursday, June 24th Romboletti’s eyes.