During the week of May 15, Norton High School (NHS) students participated in the Pre-Apprenticeship and Vocational School Training Program. This is the second year NHS has run the program.
The program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and introduces students to different Union professions, job experiences, and first/aid CPR training. Instruction is provided by working professionals from the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund. The week included four full days of instruction at NHS and a one day field trip to an apprenticeship training center. This year's field trip was to the Hopkinton Labor Safety Academy. On the second day of the program, each student received personal protective equipment including a hardhat, safety glasses, work gloves, safety vest, and equipment bag.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive educational and/or employment opportunities. Graduates receive 30 hours of credit towards the first year's class work requirement if accepted into the Laborers' Apprenticeship Program. Outstanding program graduates are eligible for a four week paid co-op with a highway construction or maintenance company or organization. Program graduates are eligible for support services including notification of employment opportunities, resume review, and interview preparation. Program graduates are eligible to apply for Commercial Driver's License Class B (CDL - B), Hoisting, Drone and other training school scholarships.
NHS Guidance Counselor Jennifer Proulx first brought the program to students last year, "NHS is the first non-vocational high school to host the program, and our students have done extremely well both years and have outperformed other schools. This year, our group of students had one of the highest percentages of “Outstanding” rankings that a cohort of students have ever earned; 12 out of 16 students earned the distinction of “Outstanding”."
Norton Public Schools is proud to recognize the Top 10 students of the graduating senior Class of 2023. Of 169 graduating seniors, these students are ranked at the top of their class academically, but have also accomplished numerous another achievements during their time at Norton High School.
Meet the Top 10 Class of 2023 seniors:
Sandra Fairbairn Valedictorian
Throughout her time in high school, Sandra Fairbairn has maintained an exemplary academic record. Through her determination and dedication she earned her spot at the top of her class. She maintained high honors and was recognized for her academic achievements. Sandra has participated as a proud member of five Honor Societies, and even held a leadership position in one of them. Sandra has been involved in softball for many years, both on a club team and at Norton High School. Through the sport, she gained leadership skills and was recognized as a Tri-Valley League Allstar, Sun Chronicle Allstar, and an NHS team and offensive MVP. She coached younger athletes both within the town and her club team, and sees herself continuing to coach. Sandra will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Julia Hinckley Salutatorian
Julia Hinckley has consistently been dedicated to her academics while balancing her extracurriculars, and has maintained a fantastic performance in her classes. Her enthusiasm for learning is apparent as she is towards the top of the class of 2023. Julia is the type of student who goes above and beyond graduation requirements; she took seven science courses and even shadowed a physician's assistant on her own time which only solidified her interest in this career path. She has been a member of six Honor Societies, being on the board of two of them, and participated in DECA and the Environmental Club. Julia has been involved in dance for sixteen years and enjoyed teaching dance for pre-k students in addition to her part time job. Julia will be attending UMass Amherst..
Malia Savas
Malia has been an outstanding student leader, actively involved both in and outside of school. She is a member of the Music, Math, English, Science, and History Honor Societies. She also participated in a variety of clubs at NHS including the robotics club, debate team, model senate, film club, global citizenship club, and kindness club. Malia held many leadership positions including secretary for both student council and global citizenship club, debate team president, and co-founder and president of the kindness club. Malia has also held unique leadership roles within the NHS community including being a part of the Principal and Vice Principal hiring committee and student representative on NHS site council and Norton School Committee. Malia will be attending University of Pittsburgh.
Emma Wisnaskas
Throughout her time at Norton High School, Emma has been an involved student leader. She is a member of the French, Math, Science, and National Honor societies and held the position of vice president for both the French and Math Honor societies for her senior year. She has been an avid piano player for the past 11 years, and hopes to continue playing in college. Emma is also a member of the cross country team and winter/spring track and field team. During her eighth grade year she attended a Polish School in Boston, despite not being fluent in the language, and received the top student in the class award. Additionally, Emma has spent numerous hours volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club, and Treeplenish in the Norton Community. Emma will be attending Durham University in England.
Tyler Bruno
Tyler completed a highly rigorous program, including a multitude of Honors and AP courses. He participated as a member of the History, English, Science, and National Honor Societies, also serving as president of the History Honors Society. Tyler was involved in DECA and worked with the NPS Technology Team. He was the 2022 recipient of the Presidential Award for Computer Science and showed drive and academic excellence when he decided to take the AP Calculus BC exam, working outside of school to learn the additional material because Norton only offers AP Calculus AB. Teachers and the IT department described Tyler as highly intelligent, dedicated, driven, responsible, mature and thoughtful. In addition to his academic achievements, Tyler was two time captain of the Cross Country team and one time captain of the Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track teams. Tyler will be attending Dartmouth College.
Brooke Dennett
Not only is Brooke Dennett a stand-out student, she is also one of the most recognizable leaders at Norton High School. She has an outstanding academic record, and has dedicated her time towards being involved in our community. She is a member of multiple Honor Societies, and held leadership positions in three of them. Brooke serves as the President of the class of 2023, and Vice President of DECA. Through her plethora of leadership opportunities, she has gained experience running meetings, organizing fundraisers, and planning events. She is also a three season athlete, and a Varsity runner on both the track and and cross country teams. She is excited to study Physical Therapy, in hopes to combine her academic interests with her athletic experience. Brooke will be attending Quinnipiac University.
Sienna Pietrasiewicz
Sienna is a smart and motivated student, involved as both a student athlete and leader at Norton High School. She has challenged herself with numerous advanced placement level courses and has excelled in all of them. Outside of the classroom she is a three sport athlete for cross country, winter track and field, and softball, all of which she also served as the team captain for both her junior and senior years. She excels in her leadership roles and has learned how to build relationships with her teammates and act as a role model. She has also spent time running softball clinics and volunteering with food pantries and car washes. Sienna is a member of the National Honor Society, Math, Science, History, English, and Art Honor Societies. Sienna has a passion for sports photography and has taken pictures for a local YMCA summer camp, showcasing her work on Instagram. New Balance headquarters saw a photo representing their brand, and reached out to use her work for their headquarters. Sienna will be attending Bates College.
Owen Moon
Owen has consistently challenged himself in the most rigorous courses, earning all A’s every term, every year. He is especially proud of his excellence award in computer science class and the Rensselaer Medal he received at the end of his junior year. Outside the classroom, Owen has participated in a variety of activities. He has been involved in Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track throughout his entire high school career and was named captain this year. As a captain, Owen made deeper connections with his teammates and shined as a leader. He gained more responsibilities and became a reliable and committed student-athlete. Besides running, some of Owen’s other extracurriculars include: DECA, Environmental Club, Interact Club (Co-President), and PACT/Active Minds. Additionally, Owen is a musician and has been participating in drum and piano lessons for about ten years. He works as a parking attendant at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield during events and concerts and also assists with paperwork and religious classes at Saint Mary’s Church in Norton. Owen will be attending University of Vermont.
Carly Goodwin
Carly has an extremely impressive transcript that speaks for itself and has always made her schooling a priority, despite being involved in many extracurriculars. Carly is a proud member of six Honor Societies, including National Honor Society, and is also a well-rounded student athlete. She has been an integral part of the NHS cross country and track teams, and was even a captain of the indoor track team for a season. Carly has been involved in DECA for all four years, and has been part of the Environmental Club for two. Additionally, she has held a part time job at a local ice cream shop and restaurant for the past two years. Through this job she has learned a lot about being a reliable employee and having a good work ethic. Carly has exceeded the necessary community service hours needed to graduate. She has been a youth soccer coach and also teaches Faith Formation classes to 4th graders at her church. Carly will be attending UMass Amherst.
Brandon Lasker
In terms of academic recognitions, Brandon is the National Honor Society President, Treasurer of the French Honors Society and a keen member of all the other Honor societies at Norton High School. He has won the Presidential Award and the Academic Award for French. Brandon has developed and shaped his long term goals, which involved starting his own energy company with a tremendous influence on the global energy industry. He is extremely proud of his contributions to DECA. In the 2019-2020 school year Brandon was third in the state and qualified for the international conference, but due to COVID could not attend. Then, in 2021-2022 he was in the top ten in the state. Additionally, Brandon is a devoted member of the wrestling team who has achieved real growth. In 2019-2020 he was a JV wrestling state champion. As a camper and most recently a volunteer at a Russian/Ukrainian overnight camp in New York, Brandon has demonstrated amazing leadership, independent living skills, creativity and organization, as well as developing meaningful lifelong friendships with other Russian teens worldwide. Brandon will be attending North Carolina State University.
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