Whittier Tech’s Shal Up for Nationally Recognized Scholarship Award

Whitter Tech Senior Emily Shal has a chance at being one of 20 high school seniors in the country to earn the title of CTE Presidential Scholar this April. (File photograph)

Emily Shal (Courtesy photograph)

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School senior Emily Shal is one of only five Massachusetts students to be recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee, her school confirmed this week.

According to Superintendent Maureen Lynch, Shal was nominated in the program’s career and technical education category by guidance counselor Kristine Morrison, who recognized Shal’s ability to shine in the face of adversity.

“Emily’s personal growth comes by way of the obstacles that she has overcome,” said Morrison of Shal, whose family emigrated to the U.S. from Russia. “This has lent to the mature, kind, compassionate young woman she has become.”

A licensed certified nursing assistant, Amesbury’s Shal plans to earn her EMT certification in January. She also serves as class president and captain of the school’s track and field teams.

Shal finds out if she received the scholarship this spring after a national committee of educators selects 60 semifinalists in March and names 20 finalists in April.