WORCESTER, MA — Ten Worcester Public Schools graduates and a longtime supporter of district students will be honored this month for their professional achievements, leadership and community service.
The Worcester Educational Development Foundation will present its 2026 Distinguished Alumni and Friends Awards on Oct. 15 at the Hogan Center at Holy Cross College. Cocktails and conversation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6:30 p.m., Worcester Public Schools announced Tuesday.
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This year's honorees include:
- Dr. Meenal Datta, a 2006 Doherty Memorial High School graduate whose cancer research has reached the International Space Station. Datta is an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame and directs the university's TIME Lab.
- Akosua Agyepong, a 2010 North High School graduate and family law attorney at Turco Legal. Her public service includes leadership roles with state and county bar organizations and several Worcester nonprofits.
- Rubby Wuabu, a 2008 South High Community School graduate and policy and Cabinet affairs liaison for Gov. Maura Healey. Wuabu previously worked as a Worcester County assistant district attorney.
- Italo Fini, a political strategist and advocate who has served as Healey's political director and legislative director for the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
- Seth A. Pitts, a 2006 Doherty graduate and president and CEO of Bay State Savings Bank. Pitts previously worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Elizabeth Wambui, a 2005 North High graduate and Fontaine Brothers' director of diversity, inclusion and community impact. As head of the Fontaine Community Foundation, she oversees investments in local nonprofit organizations.
- Dr. Joseph J. Danko, a 1973 Doherty graduate whose career in science and national defense included directing more than 500 scientists at Draper Laboratory.
- Dr. Kate Mitchell, a 1998 Doherty graduate who works as a pediatrician at Child Health Associates and an assistant professor of pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School.
- Son Vo, a 1999 South High graduate and U.S. Army veteran who founded several Central Massachusetts restaurants, including Kaizen Sushi Bar & Grill, Pho Sure and Chashu Ramen & Izakaya.
- Luke Thompson, a 1994 Burncoat High School graduate whose football coaching career has included positions at Holy Cross, Harvard, Georgetown, West Point and Lafayette, as well as with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The foundation will present its Friend of Education Award to Robert E. Layne, assistant dean of outreach programs at UMass Chan Medical School. Layne has led programs connecting Worcester students with educational and career opportunities in medicine, science, research and health care for three decades.
Nearly 1,500 students have completed summer and internship programs under Layne's leadership, according to the district.
More information is available on the WEDF Distinguished Alumni and Friends webpage.
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