Fifty-two BHR Adams Scholars honored at ceremony

Fifty-two recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship in the Class of 2020 at Blue Hills Regional Technical School were honored recently at a ceremony at the school attended by administrators, staff, friends and family members, Blue Hills Regional District School Committee Chair Thomas R. Polito, Jr., of Dedham, and legislators from Blue Hills’ nine-town district which is comprised of Avon, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Holbrook, Milton, Norwood, Randolph and Westwood.

The distinguished guests included Sen. Walter F. Timilty, Rep. William C. Galvin and Sen. Mike Rush.  Ms. Summer Ordaz, aide to Rep. William J. Driscoll, Jr., attended in his absence. Mr. Brandon Pelchat, aide to Rep. Paul McMurtry, attended in his absence.

According to the website of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to qualify for the Adams scholarship, Class of 2020 students must receive a score of 260 or higher on one of the following MCAS tests – Grade 10 ELA, Grade 10 Mathematics, high school STE (Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics or Technology / Engineering), and earn a score of 240 or higher on the other two tests. Additionally, students need to “have combined scores from the three MCAS tests that place them in the top 25% of students in the graduating class in their district.”

The event program from the Blue Hills Regional ceremony states, “This scholarship offers four years of tuition credits for full-time students attending any University of Massachusetts campus or any state or community college.”

Blue Hills Superintendent-Director Jill Rossetti welcomed the students and the audience saying, “These students have truly gone above and beyond in terms of scholarly excellence. This award is proof of their diligence, capability and willingness to strive for the highest intellectual standards and meet them.”

After introductory remarks by Principal Geoffrey Zini, Academic Director Paul Bavuso gave the keynote address. He described the robust support network that John Adams had, headed by his wife, Abigail, and reminded the students that they did not attain the distinction of being Adams scholars all by themselves. “Think about someone who helped you along the way,” Dr. Bavuso exhorted them. “Learn from as many people as you can.”

“You are the cream of the crop,” Sen. Timilty told the students. “We’re proud of each and every one of you. You have made us all better.”

The ceremony was organized by Blue Hills Regional’s Guidance Department, including counselors Laura O’Reilly, who was the emcee, Sarah Titus, John-Henry Davis, Jill Metzger and secretary Peggy Hall.