Education

Northern Essex Knights 3rd Baseman Castro Becomes Second Team NJCAA All-American

By |

Northern Essex Community College third baseman Manny Castro was recently selected as a NJCAA Second Team All-American as announced Thursday by the NJCAA Baseball Committee. Castro, of Manchester, N.H., who was the Region 21 Player of the Year, finished the year with a .465 batting average which ranked 10th nationally while also slugging .806 which ranked 11th in the country. He also had an on base percentage of .540. He recorded 60 hits on the season, including 24 extra base hits and 53 RBI’s to go along with 34 stolen bases in 39 attempts. His slugging percentage, home runs (7), triples, (6), RBI’s and total hit numbers all led the region.

Education

Jury Clears Haverhill School Board’s Ferguson; She Says Elected Office ‘Ruined Me’

By |

Haverhill Ward 3 School Committee member Cheryl A. Ferguson was found not guilty Wednesday of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 as well as the lesser charge of assault and battery. The Haverhill District Court jury deliberated for about 20 minutes before returning its verdict. First Justice Cesar A. Archilla was the presiding judge. “This is the best birthday present ever,” an elated Ferguson told WHAV outside the court. Ferguson, who turned 60 Wednesday, added, “How do I feel?

Crime

Trial of Haverhill School Board Member Ferguson Gets Underway

By |

A jury of five women and two men were seated for the trial of Cheryl A. Ferguson, the Haverhill School Committee member charged last fall with alleged indecent assault on a person over 14. The criminal trial got underway at Haverhill District Court Tuesday and it set to continue Wednesday with First Justice Cesar A. Archilla presiding. The teen who lodged the complaint was identified in court but WHAV is not releasing the name because he was a minor at the time. Ferguson, 59, who represents Ward 3 on the School Committee, was arrested last Oct. 29 after the teenager’s mother told police Ferguson approached her son twice as he was standing outside the 7-Eleven on Dudley Street wearing a Mike Myers costume and mask in celebration of Halloween.

Education

Greater Lawrence Tech Senior From Methuen Earns Gold Medal at SkillsUSA State Championship

By |

Greater Lawrence Technical School senior Julissa Sanchez, of Methuen took first place and earned a gold medal in Medical Assisting at the 2025 SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Conference, held early last month in Marlborough. Sanchez became involved in SkillsUSA during her sophomore year after being introduced to it by her shop instructor, Audra Durkin. That year, she took her first district-level exam for the Medical Assisting competition and served as a voting delegate at the 2023 SkillsUSA State Conference. “Julissa likes to be challenged, and what better way to accept a challenge than to participate in competitions,” said Durkin. “Over the past two years, Julissa has shown remarkable growth—both personally and academically.

Education

Haverhill High Graduates 520; Class President Advises to ‘Conquer Any Challenge and Dodge Any Doubt’

By |

Haverhill gave an enthusiastic send-off to 520 new Haverhill High School graduates under hazy skies Sunday at Haverhill Stadium. As crowds in the stands cheered, Class of 2025 graduates in gold gowns and matching mortarboards, many decorated with glitter, flowers and drawing, moved to “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the Haverhill High School Concert Band. This year’s class includes 139 who are pursuing four-year degrees at 67 different colleges and universities across the nation, 169 who are going on to community college, 57 who are entering trade schools, 13 who have apprenticeships waiting and 68 who have accepted employment. One student won a commission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Forty-two graduates completed their commencement requirements at Haverhill’s Gateway Academy.

Education

Whittier Tech SkillsUSA Students Celebrate Placement of River Booms They Helped to Buy

By |

Students, faculty and administrators at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School gathered at Clean River Project’s headquarters last week to witness the installation of two river booms paid by a student-led initiative. The booms, used to collect debris and help protect the Merrimack River, bear the Whittier Tech and Wildcat logos—symbols, school officials said, that represent the school’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship. “It feels amazing to know that something we helped raise money for is now out on the river making a difference,” said Hailey Rocker, an 11th grade student from Haverhill. “Seeing the Whittier logo on the booms made it all feel real—like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Building on this momentum, Whittier Tech SkillsUSA is planning to deepen its involvement with the Clean River Project during the next school year. The student team will shift focus to researching and raising awareness about microplastics—tiny plastic particles that pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and water quality.

Education

Woman Who Worked as Haverhill Science Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Faking Credentials

By |

A 57-year-old Lowell woman, who worked as a Haverhill High School science teacher and previously worked in two other cities, was arrested Friday morning after a grand jury handed down 21 indictments alleging she falsely claimed college degrees and falsely claimed to be a retired military combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, among other charges. Haverhill school Superintendent Margaret Marotta said Lissa Lagasse was hired last September, but “concerns emerged regarding inconsistencies in her background and credentials” this past March following an incident with her service animal. She was placed on administrative leave while a “thorough investigation” took place. “At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts with no concerns reported. As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families and staff,” Marotta said in a statement.

Education

Pastrana, Retired from Haverhill’s Gateway Academy, Receives Honors for Service to Youth at Risk

By |

Sylvia Pastrana, the recently retired student support coordinator at Haverhill’s Gateway Academy, was awarded the Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award for her extraordinary service to her students during the 25th Youth at Risk Conference sponsored by Pathways for Children in Beverly. Pastrana received the award at a ceremony May 28 at Endicott College in Beverly. The Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award honors the memory of Diruhi S. Mattian, a Wilmington, social worker who was murdered by a client at his North Andover home in 2008. The award was created to recognize those who make an outstanding impact on the community and the lives of young people as Mattian did. Dianne Connolly, the Title 1 and community outreach coordinator for the Haverhill Public Schools, nominated Pastrana.