Jack Ross is Minuteman's Outstanding Vo-Tech Student of 2018

PHOTO CAPTION: Left to right - Minuteman Principal Jack Dillon, Design and Visual Communications Instructor Maria Galante, student John "Jack" Ross, Minuteman Director of Career and Technical Education Michelle Roche and Guidance Counselor Lisa Camagna.

Photo by Ryan Crooker

By Judy Bass

LEXINGTON – Senior John “Jack” Ross of Arlington has been chosen as Minuteman High School’s Outstanding Vocational Technical Student of 2018.

He will be honored, along with dozens of students who are receiving this award from vocational technical high schools and state-approved technical programs throughout Massachusetts, at a banquet and ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on April 12, 2018.

This award is given jointly by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and the Massachusetts Vocational Association.to recognize students who have exceptional grades, technical competence, attendance, leadership qualities, vocational work experience, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

Mr. Ross was nominated by his Design and Visual Communications (DVC) instructor at Minuteman, Maria Galante. In her essay about Mr. Ross, she wrote, “In addition to Jack’s excellent grades and attendance, he is one of the students who continually helps DVC and Minuteman. He has helped other students on group projects in the classroom and has consistently helped with Showcase Day, Career Day and Advisory Board meetings, to name just a few.”

He has continually demonstrated initiative, creativity and notable eagerness to take on responsibility above and beyond his classroom assignments. Mr. Ross has a co-op job at LexMedia and founded an online school newspaper, Minuteman Messenger. He is a member of the Yearbook Club, Drama Club, cross-country and track teams, and is secretary of the Class of 2018.

Last year, Mr. Ross was one of the winners of the Middlesex Partnership for Youth (MPY) poster contest in which he competed against students from every high school in Middlesex County. He volunteers at a local food pantry, participates in a summer pre-college program at Pratt Institute in New York, and takes classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Students’ Exchange, MassArt and Lesley University.

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that integrates robust academic and career & technical learning to deliver a revolutionary competitive advantage to its students, expanding their opportunities for college and career success. Minuteman is as an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.