Machine Technology Instructors are Bruce Boisselle and Paul Moskevitz. Students are: seniors: Courtland Pelletier, of Methuen, and Samuel Brindle, of Merrimac; juniors: Owen Hergel, of Newbury, Bryan Richards of Georgetown, Justice Rodriguez, of Haverhill, Joshua Rousseau, of Haverhill, Christain Saulnier of Amesbury, Sabrina Stubbs, of Merrimac, Benjamin Szydlo, of Groveland, Nickson To, of Haverhill, Cameron Vasquez, of Methuen, Carlos Vega Vale, of Haverhill, Napoleon Alejandro, of Haverhill, Andrei Allen, of West Newbury, Kurt Bergman, of Haverhill, Colin Bowes, of Salisbury, Kyle Demers, of Salisbury, Nathan Gelineau, of Haverhill, Ryan McCreven, of Amesbury, Christopher Pelletier, of Amesbury, and Izayah Stevens of Haverhill; and sophomores: James Clark, of Merrimac, Kerry Erler, of Haverhill, Colby Hathaway, of Salisbury, Michael Dondero, of Haverhill and Owen Sevene, of Haverhill. (Courtesy photograph.)
Students at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School participated in a friendly rivalry this season to see which group would collect more canned food for local food pantries.
For the fifth year in a row, students in the Machine Technology program came out on top, collecting 378 cans for Our Neighbors’ Table in Amesbury. The drive took place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20 and 805 food items were collected.
“Our annual drive is a great way for students to help others who are in need, especially during the holidays,” said Superintendent Maureen Lynch,” adding “It’s great to see all the technical shops take ownership of this project, and we’re so happy to be able to provide valuable resources to Our Neighbors’ Table.”
Junior Napoleon Alejandro, of Haverhill, said he was happy to participate in the drive because he has a direct connection to those who benefit from the donations.
“My mom knows someone who can’t afford to buy food for her family and uses the food pantry, so it will help her, too,” Alejandro said.
The technical shop has won five out of six years since Whittier started doing the drive in 2010. To celebrate their win, students were treated to a breakfast from Heav’nly Donuts, featuring hot chocolate, juice, bagels and muffins prior to the winter break.
Health and Physical Education Teacher Roxanne Grover brought back the drive in 2015 after a two-year hiatus.