Sixty John and Abigail Adams Scholars from Class of 2017 at Blue Hills Regional Technical are Honored at Ceremony

Back row left to right--Adams Scholars from Canton Jack Hulme, Nicholas Mahon, Sean McDonagh, Joyce Quach

Front row left to right-- State Rep. William C. Galvin, Adams Scholars from Canton Conner Graham, David Holton II, Joseph Nee, and Sabrina Gates

Photo by Judy Bass

SIXTY JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS SCHOLARS FROM CLASS OF 2017 AT BLUE HILLS REGIONAL IN CANTON ARE HONORED AT CEREMONY

By Judy Bass

Sixty recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship from the Class of 2017 at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton were honored recently at a ceremony at the school attended by staff, family members, District School Committee members and legislators from Blue Hills’ nine-town district comprised of Avon, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Holbrook, Milton, Norwood, Randolph and Westwood.

The distinguished guests included State Senator Walter F. Timilty, who delivered the keynote address, and State Reps. William C. Galvin and Paul McMurtry. Mr. William Buckley, senior legislative aide to State Rep. John H. Rogers, attended on Rep. Rogers’ behalf. District School Committee members Kevin L. Connolly of Norwood and Thomas R. Polito, Jr. of Dedham were also present.

The Adams Scholarship is awarded based on students’ performance on the MCAS exam. Seniors must score in the top 25 per cent at Blue Hills on this test to qualify for the Adams Scholarship, which constitutes a full tuition waiver for full-time students at Massachusetts state universities and community colleges.

However, as Blue Hills Principal Jill Rossetti explained in her remarks to the students and guests, for the five campuses in the University of Massachusetts system – Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and the Medical School in Worcester – tuition waivers are actually now tuition credits due to tuition increases. Adams Scholars don’t receive a full tuition waiver (four years of free tuition) at those schools.

Blue Hills Superintendent James P. Quaglia congratulated the students on their achievement, as did Principal Rossetti and Vice Chairman of the Blue Hills Regional District School Committee Marybeth Nearen of Randolph.

“This is evidence of your ability to perform well under pressure,” Supt. Quaglia told the Adams Scholars. Principal Rossetti lauded them as “the best and the brightest.” Vice Chairman Nearen warmly praised them on their success. Sen. Timilty said Blue Hills is “one of the finest high schools in the country.” He told the students, “You are the cream of the crop.”

The ceremony was organized by the school’s Guidance Department: Lead Guidance Counselor Emily Stempler, who was also the emcee, assisted by Guidance Counselors Sarah Titus, John-Henry Davis and Lin Fortunato.