LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Vol

A PUBLICATION OF LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Vol. 3, No. 2 Summer 2007 AAnn aarrttiisstt’’ss ssnnaappsshhoott Tech student’s photography is picture-perfect BY BILL BROTHERTON There is no formal art program at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, but that hasn’t stopped Gabriela Gonzalez from winning a slew of awards. The sophomore recently won the grand prize in the Sixth District Congressional High School Art Competition, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney. Before that, the five photos she entered in the annual Boston Globe All-Scholastic Art Awards all won prizes. Gonzalez was 12 when her parents, Mauricio and Sara, moved the family from their native Chile, settling in Boston and moving to Lynn two years later. Artistic talent runs in the family: Her dad was vocalist for the popular Latin America band Kollahuara Tech student Gabriela Gonzalez won the Congressional See GONZALEZ Page 10 art competition for this photo of her sister, Beben. INSIDE Class of Classical 2007 graduates headed to top colleges BY MEAGHAN CASEY Some might call them the Elite Eight. They are the Classical High School 2007 graduates who are enrolling in three Ivy League schools, and three other top-ranked universities. They are: Angela Christian, Georgetown University; Tiffany Clark, Vanessa Francois and valedictorian Minela Gacanovic, Boston College; Vincente Gonzalez, Cornell; James Khun, Dartmouth; Jazmine Ramirez, Harvard; and Melissa Suon, Stanford. The schools are among the most difficult to get into in the country, but Classical students are proving they can compete and succeed among the best of the best. “The education here is extremely competitive,” said Classical Principal From Lynn Warren White. “These kids are motivated and they realize that furthering to La-La their education is the key to success. They took advantage of the opportunities here at Classical and I’m confident they will do well at the From left, Vincente Gonzalez, James Khun, Tiffany Clark, Jazmine Ramirez, Principal Warren White, Angela Christian, Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr., Minela Page 3 See CLASSICAL Page 10 Gacanovic, Vanessa Francois, Melissa Suon and Superintendent Nicholas P. Kostan. 2 — The Lynn Educator Summer 2007 There’s no shortage of good news in our schools City of Lynn Edward J. Clancy Jr., Mayor s we conclude another well as Stanford, Georgetown and Boston including her Academy Award-winning successful school year, it is College. They truly are the best of the best husband. Lynn School Committee appropriate to look back on of the Class of 2007. This edition also contains stories about Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. A some of the noteworthy accomplishments We also applaud the creative talents of a three principals at various stages in their Chairman of our students and teachers over the past young woman from Lynn Tech whose career – one who is retiring after four Patricia Capano Vice Chair 10 months. photography was judged to be the best in decades of service, another whose efforts The Daniel F. Cahill On the front page of this edition of the Sixth Congressional District, and which have been honored by Salem State College, Lynn Educator Donna M. Coppola , you will meet some earned an impressive five awards in the and a third who is a veteran educator Arthur C. Fiste students who have distinguished Boston Globe Scholastic Art Competition. completing just her second year as a John M. Ford Jr. Edward J. themselves through their academic and It would be remiss to not also recognize principal. We thank them for their Jeffrey T. Newhall Clancy Jr. artistic pursuits – endeavors that have been the critical role that these students’ teachers leadership. acknowledged by some of the nation’s and parents have played in their success. As our students and teachers take a well- Published by: most prestigious colleges and universities, They, too, should share the spotlight. deserved break for the next few months, Lynn Public Schools as well as the U.S. Congress and a It is certainly heartening to see the great we wish them and everyone a safe and Nicholas P. Kostan prominent regional art competition. pride with which a Classical alumna restful summer. Superintendent Everyone in Lynn should be proud of speaks of her alma mater and her city, even Dr. Catherine Latham the eight Classical students who will be while living amongst some of the biggest Edward J. “Chip” Clancy Jr. is mayor of Deputy Superintendent matriculating at Ivy League schools, as names in the entertainment industry – Lynn. Dr. Jaye Warry Deputy Superintendent Submit story ideas to: Thomas P. Iarrobino 2007 graduates are prepared to make their mark Secretary to the School Committee 90 Commercial St. Congratulations to the Class of 2007. Our become leaders in medicine, law, education, came from or your roots in this community. Lynn, MA 01905 graduating seniors have distinguished and government and will serve as role We look forward to your giving back to Tel: (781) 477-7220 x157 themselves by the numbers who are moving models and mentors for younger brothers, your school, your city and your country. As Fax: (781) 477-7487 [email protected] on to continue their education at some of the sisters, and the community in general. Mr. Paul Buccheri, a retiring teacher at Lynn finest colleges and universities in the nation. Graduating seniors owe a debt of Vocational Technical Institute, said in his Produced by: Once again, Lynn Public Schools students gratitude to their teachers, coaches, and remarks at the LVTI graduation exercises, have been extremely successful in gaining especially their parents who have sacrificed “Education is a roadmap. If you don’t have admission into America’s top schools. so much to ensure their success throughout this map you are lost. If you have it, you Lynn seniors will be attending community their K-12 careers. You, as graduates, have can go anywhere.” GRANT COMMUNICATIONS Nicholas P. colleges, state colleges and universities, as the knowledge, the training, and the support Best of luck and continued success to all CONSULTING GROUP well as highly selective institutions such as of all who have been associated with your of our graduating seniors. ◆ Lynn, MA New York, NY Kostan Harvard, Dartmouth, Cornell, Stanford, success to this point. It is now time for you (781) 598-8200 Georgetown and Boston College. It is our to make your mark in the world. Nicholas P. Kostan is superintendent of [email protected] hope that our graduates will move on to Just remember to never forget where you schools. Ford students to come early, stay late, learn more BY BILL BROTHERTON Community College, Gordon College and corporate sponsors such as General Electric. Students at the Robert L. Ford School will spend more What was once a troubled school has become, through time in the classroom this fall if a state grant to extend the determination and hard work, one of the city’s best. school day is approved as expected. “We started this process a long time ago,” said Crane. “We are waiting to hear with anticipation,” said vice She references the Saltonstall School in Salem, which went principal Barbara Kelly, referring to the Mass. Department year-round earlier this decade. Crane was to be interim of Education 2020 grant. principal there for a year to learn all she could and bring Currently, students are in class from 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 that knowledge and experience to the Ford. That didn’t p.m. The funding would allow Ford’s staff to teach from happen. 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Still, she and others persisted. About 18 months ago, “Plus, it will add lots of enrichment and provide for new Crane sought funding through the School Committee to materials. It means we will be able to improve the extend the school day, but the money wasn’t there. Now, wonderful things we do now and add things we have not state funding is likely and the Ford staff is optimistic the had the time to do,” said Kelly. Staff development and more grant will be approved. resources are part of the equation as well. Perhaps the most exciting program at Ford has been the Teachers are on board, as are Superintendent Nicholas NASA Explorer School. Ford is the only school in the Jenn McCarthy's sixth-graders, from front to back, Kostan, his administration, the School Committee and the Chris Zaccagnini, Jonathan Crosby, and Nicholas Northeast that will have a live feed from the International teachers union. Medeiros. Space Station, which its students will be able to watch Ford has really turned things around in the 15 years Dr. thanks to North Shore Community College and Digital Claire Crane has been principal. It’s become a model of Ford. Parents are incredibly involved with their children’s Learning Network video equipment. how the community-school concept should work, thanks to education, and night classes for parents at the school have Crane, Kelly and three teachers went to Houston for a committed staff, involved parents and community been an overwhelming success. Crane has added services orientation and one week of training at NASA’s Johnson partners. for parents, students and staff every year. Partnerships have Space Center. Being a vibrant community school is the main focus at been formed with Salem State College, North Shore ALUMNI PROFILE The Lynn Educator Summer 2007 — 3 From Lynn to La-La 1990 Classical grad Nash-Whittaker hasn’t forgotten her roots BY MEAGHAN CASEY friendships, and I still stay in touch with a lot took and sent me back to Ford. I remember of those people.” going there on a Friday and I was so nervous, In her 1990 Lynn Classical yearbook, At Classical, Whitaker was a member of the until the agent asked me ‘Can you move here Keisha Nash-Whitaker listed as her ambition, Yearbook Committee, African-American Club on Monday?’” “To be successful and live the lifestyles of the and she played Powder Puff football.

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