Whticomb Moving Up Ceremony in Marlborough

On June 19, Whitcomb Middle School held its annual “Moving Up” ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of the eighth-graders as they prepare to move up to high school.

Attached is a photo of eighth-grader Jabrail Clark delivering his “thank-you” speech, acknowledging the support of parents, teachers and staff, administration, and fellow students.

Additional photos are available upon request. A slideshow of the ceremony can be viewed on the Whitcomb Middle School homepage at mps-edu.org.

Downey Owl Award (Science)

Several years ago, our former principal and science teacher, William Downey, retired. During his tenure Mr. Downey was very generous with, and supportive of the science department and their initiatives. He is also a man who enjoys and respects nature and has a deep love of owls.

To honor Mr. Downey and his many contributions to science and the environment, a new award, the Downey Owl Award was created to annually recognize one eighth grade student from each team.

This year’s Downey Owl Award goes to student’s who:

·      Through their effort and achievement, demonstrate a love of science and the environment

·      Demonstrates responsibility, integrity and respect for peers and teachers throughout the year.

·      Has demonstrated a commitment to making the 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb School and the Marlborough community a better place as a positive role model.

This year’s recipients will each receive a copy of the National Geographic: The Science Book book complete with a personalized book plate.

This year’s recipient of the Downey Owl Award goes to:

1.     Sabeeka Hussain

2.     Thomas Kieran

3.     Andriy Taschuk

William H. Downey III

“Great Expectations” Award 

Mr. William H. Downey was principal of this school from 1984 until his retirement in 2002. During his principalship he led the change of the school from a Jr High to a Middle School concept. He set high standards for the students of the school with the belief that if children know what is expected of them, they will rise to meet those expectations.

This award was established upon his retirement and is presented annually to the 8th grade boy and girl from each team who best exemplifies the 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb School goals and expectations of:

·      Pursuing Wellness

·      Gaining Knowledge

·      Exploring Creativity

·      Developing Skills

This year’s recipients will each receive a copy of the book “A Patriots Handbook” by Caroline Kennedy complete with a personalized book plate.

This year’s recipients of the William H. Downey III “Great Expectations” Award goes to:

1.     Jabrail Clark

2.     Rachael Curley

3.     Adam Moore

4.     Brian Oram

5.     Brionna Romo

6.     Joshua Silva

7.     Violet Woundy

Extraordinary Effort Award

Once in a while a team needs to recognize someone who deserves an award, but for whom the standard award criteria were not an exact match.  This year we needed to recognize two students from each team for their extraordinary efforts that were observed day in and day out throughout the school year. Their work ethic was unmatched. Because of this effort, tremendous academic and social progress was noted by the entire team of teachers.

This year’s receipients will receive a Silver Star paperweight.

This year’s winners of the “Extraordinary Effort Award” goes to:

1.     Kylie Craig

2.     Joseph Echaniz

3.     Hayden Ginnetti

4.     Braulia Herrera

5.     Daniela Naranjo-Zarate

6.     Jose Servano

7.     Kevin Short

The Quill Award (ELA)

Mrs. Claire Mulready was a teacher in the Marlborough school system from 1970 – 1992. Mrs. Mulready inspired many of her students at the middle school to become the best writers that they could be. She is remembered by her Language Arts students for being able to work positively with all students and for being able to bring out the very best in each of them.  The Quill Award is one that Mrs. Mulready wished to have presented in her name.

This award is given to one student from each team who:

1.     Has shown a great deal of effort throughout the year in the Language Arts area.

2.     Has made substantial progress in writing skills throughout the year.

3.     Has worked cooperatively with peers and teachers throughout the year.

Students will receive a book and have their name engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the Downey Library here at the Whitcomb School.

This year’s recipients will each receive a copy of the book “The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy” by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. complete with a personalized book plate and have their name engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the Downey Library here at the Whitcomb School.

 This year’s recipients of The Quill Award goes to:

1.      Isabelle Furbino

2.     Michelle Nie

3.     Amaya Solis

Mel Santos Good Citizen Award (Social Studies)

Mr. Mel Santos was a social studies teacher for many years at the Marlborough Middle School until his death in 2001. Mr. Santos was a teacher who inspired his students to value diversity, to participate in democracy, and to be good citizens.

Using the words that Mr. Santos so ofen used in class: “The purpose of Social Studies is to help the students understand their human and physical world so that they may become good persons, good citizens and maybe just great Americans.”

To honor Mr. Santos, the teachers from each team in grade eight choose a student to receive this award. It goes to a student who:

·      Demonstrated good citizenship qualities throughout the year

·      Works hard at being kind, fair, and accommodating

·      Participates actively in community service projects

The recipients of this award receive a copy of the book, “Image of Marlboro History” by Susan Alatalo complete with a personalized book plate, the American flag, and directions on how to properly fold and display the flag.

This year’s winners of the Mel Santos Good Citizen Award are:

1.       Rebecca Aguiar

2.     Zachary Carruth

3.     Joseph LeDuc

4.     Stephen Moynahan

5.     Chamayra Parker

6.     Sarah Zagzoug

Pascal’s Triangle Award

Outstanding Math Student

This award honors outstanding math students from the eighth grade. The award is named in honor of mathematician Blaise Pascal, probably best known for his important contribution to mathematics known as “Pascal’s Triangle.”  Students discovered many patterns in this triangle, and they will continue to explore its application to advanced math topics in high school.

This year’s award recipients are being recognized for:

·      Outstanding achievement in mathematics

·      Excellent effort and work habits

·      Genuine interest in the study of mathematics

·      Exceptional aptitude for solving mathematical problems

·      Demonstrated enthusiasm for the subject of mathematics and its applications

·      Participation in math-related activities

This year’s award recipients will receive two books with personalized book plates, “The Joy of Mathematics” and “More Joy of Mathematics,” both written by Theoni Pappas.  These books are designed to help the reader become aware of the inseparable relationship of mathematics and the world by presenting glimpses and images of mathematics in the many facets of our lives.

The winners of the Pascal’s Triangle Award for the outstanding math Students in the 8th grade are:

1.      Ivana Awada

2.     Gabriel DeAraujo

3.     Shane Kieran

Ezra Cutting Award

Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics

The estate of Ezra L. Cutting gives out monetary awards to grade 8 students each year.  This prize is awarded for highest accomplishment in a given subject area. Mathematics was the subject tested this year.  The following students received the highest grade on a common assessment given in their Mathematics’ class. 

The winners of the 2014 Ezra Cutting Award are:

1.     Bailey Honer-Chavez

2.     Christian Mendoza

3.     Michelle Nie

4.     Brian Oram

Submitted by Beth Wagner, communications liaison, Marlborough Public Schools.