Greater Lowell Tech’s Oct. 2023 Students of the Month, from left: senior Christine Graham, junior Dalilah Carbonneau, sophomore Dairis Melo and freshman Benjamin Hickok. (Courtesy Greater Lowell Tech)
TYNGSBORO — Superintendent-Director Jill Davis and Assistant Superintendent/Principal Michael Barton have announced the Greater Lowell Technical High School fall students of the month.
The following students have been selected as Students of the Month for the fall of 2023. Each student displayed characteristics of Greater Lowell Tech’s core values, R.E.A.C.H., by showing Respect, Effort, Accountability, Commitment, and Honesty among their peers and in classes. These students also reflect Greater Lowell’s mission to ensure students’ readiness for career, college, and citizenship in the 21st century.
October
SENIOR: Christine Graham, of Lowell, entered from the Wang Middle School. Christine is majoring in Information Technology Services and pursues a challenging academic schedule which includes honors-level courses in English, PreCalculus, and Anatomy and Physiology. She has completed coursework in Dual Enrollment Chemistry through our partnership with Quincy College. Christine is a member of our Varsity Indoor Track and Outdoor Track and Field Teams. She maintains an overall GPA of 4.19 and has received awards for Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and a variety of academic achievements. Outside of school, Christine is employed by Edible Arrangements in Nashua. Christine embodies our Core Values of Respect and Commitment. She is described by her theory instructor as a student who has a positive attitude, sets an example for other students, and works hard to be the best she can be. Following graduation, Christine is planning to continue her education as an economics major at UMass Lowell.
JUNIOR: Dalilah Carbonneau, of Lowell, entered from the Stoklosa Middle School. Dalilah is majoring in Computer Aided Drafting and Design and is pursuing a challenging academic course load which includes Honors English, Honors Algebra 2, and Honors Chemistry. Dalilah is a member of the Varsity Cheer Team and has received numerous awards including the Coaches Award and the Spirit Stick Award. She has also received Honor Roll awards. Dalilah was a summer employee through MassHire working with the Greater Lowell Plant Services staff. Dalilah embodies our core values of Respect, Effort, and Commitment. She is described by her technical instructor as “a model student who works diligently to complete projects and bringing her work to completion.” After graduation, Dalilah is hoping to continue her education and pursue a career in finance.
SOPHOMORE: Dairis Melo, of Lowell, entered from the Robinson Middle School. Dairis is majoring in Early Childhood Education and maintains an overall GPA of 4.20. She is pursuing honors-level coursework in English, History, and Chemistry, as well as college-preparatory coursework in Geometry. Dairis is a member of our Student Ambassador Team, Educators Rising, and SkillsUSA. She has received awards for Caught Doing Good, Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll. Dairis was selected as a student who demonstrates our core values of Accountability and Effort. She is described as a kind and compassionate student who seeks opportunities to contribute to the school community and to expand her experiences. Following graduation, Dairis hopes to continue her education at UMass Lowell and pursue a career in early childhood education.
FRESHMAN: Benjamin Hickok, of Lowell, entered from the Pyne Arts Magnet School. He has chosen a challenging schedule that includes honors-level courses in English, Biology, Algebra 2, and History. Benjamin has had a successful start to the year with an overall first-term average of 96.8% in his technical and academic classes. He is a member of our Junior Varsity Golf Team and Competitive Gaming Club. He will also be trying out for our Gryphon Baseball Team in the spring. In middle school, he was a Knowledge Bowl champion, Student Advisory Board Member, and 8th grade Salutatorian. Benjamin is in the process of completing pre-coursework in all 23 of our technical areas, including Automotive Collision Repair, Design and Visual Communications, HVAC-R, and Cosmetology. While he has enjoyed many of our technical programs, Ben is looking forward to experiencing his upcoming Medical Laboratory and Assisting and Health Assisting/Pre-Nursing exploratories. Outside of school, he plays USA Prime Baseball, umpires at Shedd Park, and plays the trumpet. Benjamin was nominated as a student who embraces our Core Values of Respect, Commitment, and Honesty. He is described by his History instructor as a student who produces the highest quality of work, actively contributes to creating a positive learning environment, and continuously exceeds requirements. Following graduation, Benjamin hopes to attend college to major in nursing and play college baseball.
November
Greater Lowell Tech’s Nov. 2023 Students of the Month, from left: senior Isis Rivera, junior Javier Zayas, sophomore Sherlyn Polanco and freshman Diarlin Garces Monsalve. (Courtesy Greater Lowell Tech)
SENIOR: Isis Rivera, of Lowell, entered from the Collegiate Charter School. Isis is majoring in Cosmetology and particularly excels in hair-coloring techniques and nail services. She has chosen college-preparatory academic courses that will allow her to pursue postsecondary education or directly enter the workforce. Isis has received awards for Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. Outside of school, Isis is employed as a cashier by Market Basket in Tewksbury. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Isis embodies our Core Values of Effort and Commitment. She is described as a student who is incredibly positive, responsible, and hardworking. Following graduation, Isis plans to continue in the cosmetology field with a goal of owning her own salon.
JUNIOR: Javier Zayas, of Lowell, entered from the Daley Middle School. Javier is majoring in Information Technology Services and is pursuing a challenging academic course load which includes Honors English, Honors Algebra 2, and Honors Physics. He has also completed coursework in Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science. Javier is a member SkillsUSA and represented Greater Lowell as an Internetworking Competitor. He has achieved multiple certifications in his technical area, including CompTIA ITF+, and CIW Advanced HTML5/CSS3. In his spare time, Javier enjoys creating applications and programs for his personal use and creating scripts and programs to help community agencies. Javier embodies our Core Values of Effort, Honesty, and Commitment. He is described by his theory instructor as a student who enjoys learning and continually seeks to improve and master new skills. After graduation, Javier plans to continue in the IT field and explore careers in freelance web development and tech repair.
SOPHOMORE: Sherlyn Polanco, of Lowell, entered from the Wang Middle School. Sherlyn is majoring in Health Assisting/Pre-Nursing and maintains an overall GPA of 4.23. She is pursuing honors-level coursework in English, Geometry, History, and Chemistry. Sherlyn is a member of our Student Ambassador Team, Student Council, Dance Club, and Girls in Finance Program. She has received awards for Honor Roll and High Honor Roll and participates in community service through the Dracut Library and Lowell City of Lights Parade. Sherlyn was selected as a student who demonstrates our Core Values of Honesty, Accountability, and Effort. She is described as a dedicated student who has an incredible growth mindset that allows her to accept challenges as opportunities to succeed. Following graduation, Sherlyn plans to pursue a career in the health care field with the targeted goal of assisting women of color in accessing medical care and resources.
FRESHMAN: Diarlin Garces Monsalve, of Lowell, entered from the Sullivan Middle School. Diarlin has had a successful start to the year achieving high honor roll scores in all academic classes, including Honors History, and College Prep English, Algebra, and Biology. She is a member of our ELE Book Club and the SkillsUSA Freshman Program. She is also part of our Student Ambassador Team and participated in the Lowell City of Lights Parade. Diarlin is in the process of completing pre-coursework in all 23 of our technical areas, including Electrical, Hospitality Management, HVAC-R, and Cosmetology. While she has enjoyed many of our technical programs, Diarlin has a special interest in medicine and is looking forward to experiencing our Medical Laboratory and Assisting and Health Assisting/Pre-Nursing exploratories. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her younger brother and perfecting her English language skills. Diarlin was nominated as a student who embraces our Core Values of Respect, Effort, and Commitment. She is described by her academic instructor as a student who is dedicated to learning and who maintains an attitude that “brings a special beam of light” to the classroom. Following graduation, Diarlin hopes to attend college and pursue a career in forensic medicine.
December
Greater Lowell Tech’s Dec. 2023 Students of the Month, from left: senior Caoilinn Quealy, junior Connor Peterson, sophomore Alyssa Bergeron and freshman Annalese Themelis. (Courtesy Greater Lowell Tech)
SENIOR: Caoilinn Quealy, of Lowell, entered from the Wang Middle School. Caoilinn is majoring in Design and Visual Communications and is ranked 12th in her class with an overall GPA of 4.35. She is pursuing a rigorous academic and technical schedule which includes AP English Lit and Composition, AP Calculus AB, Honors Physics, and AP Studio Art Portfolio. She has also completed an optional course in Spanish 1A. Caoilinn is a member of the National Honor Society/National Technical Honor Society, Art Club, and SkillsUSA. She has received awards for Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, Technical Excellence, and SkillsUSA. She received a 1st place award for the UMass Lowell Cool Science Design Contest, and 2nd place in the GLTHS 2023 Science Fair, and was accepted into UMass Lowell’s 2023 Regional Juried High School Art Exhibition. Caoilinn is also active in our athletic program, playing on our junior varsity and varsity Softball, Golf, Volleyball, and Swim and Dive teams. She is extremely active in her community and serves as a Student Ambassador at all Greater Lowell Tech events. Caoilinn embodies our Core Values of Effort and Commitment. She is described as a phenomenal student, outstanding team player, and kind-hearted individual who has a smile that will light up the room. Following graduation, Caoilinn plans to attain a master’s degree in industrial design, ultimately pursuing a career in product design.
JUNIOR: Connor Peterson, of Dracut, entered from Innovation Academy. Connor is majoring in Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies and maintains Honor Roll with a 3.5 GPA. He is pursuing a flexible academic course load, including College Prep English, College Prep Algebra, and Honors Anatomy and Physiology, which will allow him to continue on to college or directly enter the workforce. He has also completed our optional course in Spanish 1A. Connor is a 3-year member of the Greater Lowell Tech/Nashoba Tech/Greater Lawrence Tech Varsity Ice Hockey Team. For the past four years, he has also played hockey with the Northern Cyclones. In the past year, Connor has formed a close relationship with our school mascot, Mr. Gryphon, who attends all schoolwide events and activities. It is curious, however, that Connor and Mr. Gryphon are never seen in the same place at the same time. Connor is active in the community and assists with coaching his sisters’ U10 and U13 softball teams, participates in the annual Hockey Fights Cancer event, and is always willing to help wherever he is needed. Outside of school, Connor is employed as an outdoor ride attendant at JayGees Fun Center in Methuen, and as a yard maintenance technician at Dapper Dog Grooming in Dracut. Connor was nominated as a student who embodies our Core Values of Respect, Honesty, and Commitment. He is described as a student who can always be counted on to be present and working at 100%. Despite being on the ice before dawn, he still comes to school every day with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Following graduation, Connor hopes to play college hockey and pursue a degree in Biology.
SOPHOMORE: Alyssa Bergeron, of Dracut, was previously home-schooled. Alyssa is majoring in Medical Laboratory and Assisting and is ranked 3rd in her class with an overall GPA of 4.48. She is pursuing honors-level coursework in English, Geometry, and History, as well as Dual Enrollment Chemistry with Lab through our partnership with Quincy College. Alyssa is a member of SkillsUSA and serves as a Student Ambassador/Student Leader for our 8th Grade Tours and Summer Enrichment Program. She has received awards for High Honor Roll and placed 2nd in the 2022 SkillsUSA Digital Literacy Competition. Alyssa is passionate about helping others and volunteers for the Dracut Public Library and Billerica Public Library. She also works as a student page for the Dracut Public Library. Outside of school, Alyssa dances at Lisa Pilato Dance Center in Dracut where she studies ballet and jazz. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys reading and art. Alyssa was selected as a student who demonstrates our Core Values of Commitment, Accountability, and Effort. She is described by her technical instructor as a student who immerses herself in her learning and enjoys the challenge of expanding her experiences. She is an asset and role model to the shop who truly deserves recognition. Following graduation, Alyssa plans to continue her education and become a pediatric nurse.
FRESHMAN: Annalese Themelis, of Dracut, entered from Lowell Catholic. Annalese has had a successful start to the year achieving high honor roll scores in all academic and technical classes. She is a member of our SkillsUSA Freshman Program and serves as the SkillsUSA Digital Literacy student representative. She is also a member of the Invest in Girls CIO and CFO programs. She is a part of our Student Ambassador Team and has participated in Back to School Night, Open House, and the Lowell City of Lights Parade. In middle school, Annalese served as vice president of the National Junior Honor Society, and grade representative for Student Government. Outside of school, Annalese dances at 5-6-7-8 Dance Studio in Dracut, and volunteers at her church. Over the summer, Annalese attended the Lowell Student Police Academy and won the LSPA Essay Contest and Best Cadet Award. Annalese is in the process of completing pre-coursework in all 23 of our technical areas, including Graphic Arts, Marketing, Plumbing, and Automotive Technology. While she has enjoyed many of our technical programs, Annalese has always had a special interest in medicine which was reinforced during her time in our Medical Laboratory and Assisting Exploratory. Annalese hopes to major in this program for the next three years. Annalese was nominated as a student who embraces our Core Values of Respect, Effort, and Commitment. She is described as a highly involved, engaged, and inquisitive student who is most definitely a “rising star” here at Greater Lowell. Following graduation, Annalese hopes to attend college and pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
