Shawsheen Tech Announces Seniors Of The Month

Below is a press release from Shawsheen Tech:

BILLERICA, MA — Shawsheen Valley Technical High School is excited to introduce its semester one cohort of outstanding seniors of the month. This initiative empowers faculty to highlight exceptional seniors, all of whom will receive special recognition from The Billerica Lodge of Elks. Moreover, these seniors comprise the finalists for the esteemed ‘Senior of the Year’ award, which will be announced during an award ceremony in May.

The Senior of the Month program selects two seniors every month based on a rich tapestry of qualities. Criteria encompass character, leadership, citizenship, service to school & community, scholastic achievement, and vocational competencies. Recognized for their contributions to their class and Shawsheen Tech, these students are chosen with the belief that they’ll be outstanding alumni, leaving lasting positive impacts on the community post-graduation.

OCTOBER

JASMINE JOHANSEN, a senior health assisting student from Billerica, has been honored as the female Senior of the Month for October. Jasmine distinguishes herself as an exceptional student, consistently striving for academic excellence; currently she is ranked number one in her class.

As captain of the swim team and a varsity tennis player for Shawsheen, Jasmine exhibits strong leadership qualities. She serves as the Parliamentarian for Shawsheen’s SkillsUSA leadership team, and won bronze medal victories in ‘Medical Math’ during both the 2022 and 2023 state competitions.

Outside of school, Jasmine has dedicated six years to the Pan-Mass Challenge, which exudes her commitment to healthcare. She holds a CNA license and participates in Shawsheen’s Cooperative Education program, where she works at Bayberry at Emarald Court. After high school graduation, Jasmine plans to attend college and pursue a nursing degree.

METHUN THAYAAPARAN, a Tewksbury resident studying drafting at Shawsheen Tech, is the male Senior of the Month for October. His remarkable proficiency in drafting is exemplified by his significant accomplishment during the 2023 state SkillsUSA competition, where he clinched a bronze medal in ‘Architectural Drafting’.

Methun is an integral part of Shawsheen’s vibrant academic landscape, as he is an active member of both SkillsUSA and National Honor Society. Beyond the classroom, he devotes his time to community service, volunteering at the Billerica Public Library and participating in Tewksbury’s fall clean-up days.

A passionate member of the Math Club, Methun’s enthusiasm for learning extends beyond his core studies. He aspires to pursue a career in Civil Engineering after high school. His dedication to his craft, academic excellence, and commitment to service set a solid foundation for a promising future in the field of engineering.

NOVEMBER

SARAH JOHANSEN, an engineering student at Shawsheen Tech, has been honored as the female Senior of the Month for November. A Billerica resident, Sarah is involved in the cooperative education program at Shawsheen, where she serves as an electronic technician assistant/assembler at Diversified Technologies, Inc.

Academically distinguished, Sarah ranks among the top three in her class, and serves as Secretary for the National Honor Society. Beyond academics, she demonstrates leadership qualities while serving as the President of the Teen Dating and Violence Awareness Club, as co-captain of the orientation leaders, and is the student representative to the School Committee.

Sarah actively participates in sports, clubs, and volunteer work. She contributes her athleticism to Shawsheen’s varsity tennis team in the spring, and she volunteers as a swim teacher. Additionally, Sarah has been a loyal participant in the Pan-Mass Challenge, for the last six years.

Sarah plans to pursue a major in mathematics with aspirations of becoming a high school math teacher. Her dedication, leadership, and academic excellence foreshadow a promising future in anything she chooses.

NICHOLAS GERASIMOV, a dedicated plumbing student at Shawsheen Tech, earned Senior of the Month for November. Nicholas is a resident of Billerica and is an apprentice plumber in town at Z Plumbing and Heating; here he gains hands-on experience in his field as part of Shawsheen’s cooperative education program.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Nicholas demonstrates his leadership skills holding the role of team captain for the varsity soccer team, while also serving as an ambassador for Shawsheen. Nicholas actively contributes to the school community by helping with open house events and assisting his teachers with the annual 7th-grade Project Explore program. His commitment to community service extends beyond the walls of Shawsheen, as seen through his volunteer efforts assisting the elderly with landscaping projects in the summer, and ensuring safety at a local lake by installing docks and ropes to keep swimmers protected.

Nicholas’s crowning achievement at Shawsheen Tech includes winning a silver medal in ‘Plumbing’ at the SkillsUSA National competition. Post-graduation, Nicholas plans to work in the plumbing field, and further his academic and professional journey through continuing education classes to achieve his master plumbing license.

DECEMBER

ADDISON DUNHAM, a resident of Tewksbury and a health assisting student at Shawsheen, is the female Senior of the Month for December. She is a licensed CNA and participates in the cooperative education program.

Addison is a true leader and volunteer. She participates in the Walk for Hope and volunteers as a swim teacher, imparting valuable lessons to the community’s youth. Her involvement extends to serving on the class of 2024 advisory, being a member of the National Honor Society, and competing in SkillsUSA, earning a gold medal in the state competition for ‘Health Knowledge Bowl.’

Athletically versatile, Addison shines as a three-season athlete at Shawsheen, contributing her skills to varsity track and field, varsity soccer, and swimming. Her interests also encompass participation in the ski club and book club.

Post-graduation, Addison aims to forge a career in nursing and intends to enroll in a four-year college to further her educational pursuits.

MORGAN GILMAN, an electrical student at Shawsheen Tech and resident of Billerica, has been honored as the male Senior of the Month for December. As part of the cooperative education program, Morgan applies and refines his electrical skills at Brunelle Brothers Electric. Additionally, he works for the Country Club of Billerica, where he has been a committed employee for over three years.

Morgan’s dedication and hard work to both his studies and extracurriculars are exemplified by his plan to attend a four-year college and pursue a major in engineering. Morgan is a natural leader on campus, seen through his role as co-captain of Shawsheen’s Ski Club. Morgan remains steadfast in his dedication to his education and future career, and he has committed to attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall.

About Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District

Established in 1965, Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District (SVRVTSD) stands as a beacon of educational excellence, placing students at the center of its mission. Proudly serving the communities of Billerica, Bedford, Burlington, Tewksbury, and Wilmington, Shawsheen caters to the diverse needs of over 1,300 students in grades 9-12.

Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, Shawsheen seamlessly integrates academics with a dynamic range of over 20 vocational-technical career pathways. Located in Billerica, Massachusetts, Shawsheen’s expansive 100-acre campus hosts an exceptional school building adorned with high-end and industry relevant equipment, athletic fields, twenty-four varsity sports, and a plethora of extra-curricular clubs and activities.

With a passionate faculty and staff, Shawsheen remains committed to its mission: “to provide a positive learning experience in a safe educational environment that encourages all students to reach their full potential, emphasizes the value of a strong work ethic, and prepares them for adult life in a competitive world.”

Beyond its traditional academic offerings, Shawsheen Valley Technical School extends its educational reach through Adult Education, Afterschool Enrichment Programs, Community-focused Events, and Summer Programs. The district continually strives to expand its rich and diverse programming, embracing the belief that education is a lifelong, continuous process with numerous paths leading to a successful and fulfilling life.