Rising Fitchburg Honors Academy Senior Emily Agreda

Rising Fitchburg Honors Academy senior Emily Agreda is blending right in with her fellow researchers in Boston University’s McCall Lab, studying cell death in fruit fly ovary in an effort to combat cancer.

Except, she’s 17 and they’re doctoral students.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking being there,” she said, of her full-time paid summer internship, offered through the B.U. GROW program (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women). “But I’m given a lot of responsibility, so that’s cool. I love going to work every day.”

Next year, Emily will do dual enrollment at FHS and Fitchburg State, where she’ll continue to study “cell apoptosis” – cell death that occurs as the normal part of an organism’s growth. The goal is to identify a gene that will speed the death of cells, and shrink tumors faster, she said.

Also involved in theater at Fitchburg High, Emily plans to attend medical school after graduation. “Right now, I’m thinking about neurosurgery,” she said.

Congratulations Emily!

Fitchburg Schools’ Campers Put Fun on Stage

“Fitchburg Public Schools’ Camp S.U.N. is a four-week program that combines learning activities with some summer camp staples: socializing, sunshine and play.”

Read more: Fitchburg schools’ campers put fun on stage

Campers from Fitchburg Public Schools’ Camp S.U.N. celebrated the end of camp with a day of project demonstrations and skits Thursday, July 27, 2017. Syren Reyes, 8, talks about her fairy house that she built with Kerry Tran on the last day of camp. SENTINEL & ENTRPRISE/JOHN LOVE

Campers from Fitchburg Public Schools’ Camp S.U.N. celebrated the end of camp with a day of project demonstrations and skits Thursday, July 27, 2017. Aaliyah Casellas, 8, and Hannah Hamilton, 8, played some fairies in one of the skits created by the students. SENTINEL & ENTRPRISE/JOHN LOVE

Campers from Fitchburg Public Schools’ Camp S.U.N. celebrated the end of camp with a day of project demonstrations and skits Thursday, July 27, 2017. Jennifer Dumas listens to the story her son Eli, 8, created on a laptop during the camp. SENTINEL & ENTRPRISE/JOHN LOVE

Campers from Fitchburg Public Schools’ Camp S.U.N. celebrated the end of camp with a day of project demonstrations and skits Thursday, July 27, 2017. David Pitre, 10, tries to get his robot, he helped build, to move as he shows it off on the last day of the camp. SENTINEL & ENTRPRISE/JOHN LOVE

Is the Closed St. Anthony an Answer to Fitchburg’s Preschool Prayer?

“Fitchburg Schools Superintendent Andre Ravenelle said the public school district is ‘exploring’ the possibility of moving its seven preschool classrooms into the roughly 19,000-square-foot building on 123 Salem Street.”

read more: Is the closed St. Anthony an answer to Fitchburg’s Preschool Prayer

Fitchburg Teen Tackling Some Heavy Science

“School is out, but not for Michaela Wakefield, a rising junior at Fitchburg High School.

The 16-year-old aspiring genetic counselor is one of 20 students state-wide taking part in the High School Health Careers Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.

‘I think its really cool to get exposed to medical professions early on so that way you can have an easier decision about your career,’ she said.”

Read more: Fitchburg teen tackling some heavy science

Students Experience African Culture

“Camp S.U.N. students experienced Africa last week with drumming, dancing, art-making and artifacts, thanks to the Fitchburg Art Museum.

The museum sponsored a visit from Crocodile River Music, a Massachusetts-based program that promotes and performs African and African-influenced music, including Brazilian, Caribbean and Flamenco.

Drummers and dancers from the group led students through rhythms and dances, while kids in nearby workshops made kente cloth-inspired artworks and explored Africa through slides and artifacts.

Students also used the district’s new Virtual Reality headsets to go on an African safari, and made their own traditional mancala game boards.”

Read more: Students experience African culture

Free Football Clinic Aimed at Children

“One of the first things I did when I took over the program was to meet with the AYF board and really have in-depth discussions on how we can develop a partnership, help each other out and promote football in the city of Fitchburg,” said first-year FHS football coach Tom DiGeronimo. “We thought what a great way to introduce our staff and get to know the kids who are part of your feeder system. So we decided on one camp before they began practicing.”

“This is the third community service event our players have been involved in,” DiGeronimo said. “They are great about volunteering and giving back to the city of Fitchburg.”

Read more: Free football clinic aimed at children

Fitchburg High School Honors Academy Student Doing Advanced Scientific Study

Rising junior Michaela Wakefield is just one of several Fitchburg High School Honors Academy students doing advanced scientific study this summer.

Michaela, 16, is participating in the elite High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, along with 20 peers from around the state. The free month-long residential program teaches students about diverse careers in biomedical research, biotechnology and the health professions.

“I feel very proud and honored to represent Fitchburg,” said Michaela, who is working on the Diabetes team, for her program internship. “It’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s really interesting.”Michaela, a band member at FHS, also participated in Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) Science Fair this spring, presenting her research on creating a cancer vaccine. She developed the project in Ann Taft’s AP Environmental Science course.Her dream is to pursue a career as a geneticist or pathologist, and work to cure cancer.Congratulations Michaela!

For 35 Years, Shea Cared for Crocker Field

“As a Fitchburg High School student, Thomas Shea never played on Crocker Field.

But Shea, now 62, ended up spending more time than almost anyone on the grounds of the historic facility.

‘It seemed like destiny was written for me,’ Shea said. ‘This was my job.’

After 35 years of cutting the grass, drawing the lines and performing countless other tasks to maintain Crocker Field, Shea will officially retire from his caretaker position this month.”

Read more: For 35 years, Shea cared for Crocker Field

Lessons Learned from Nipmuc Storyteller

“The story and lesson was part of a presentation on Nipmuc culture led by Mann during Journeys Summer Camp, a Title 1 funded program for Fitchburg students entering kindergarten through fourth grade.”

Read more:  Lessons learned from Nipmuc storyteller

 

Annual Youth Track Program Kicks Off

“GFTFC is a free summer track program open to youth from Fitchburg and the surrounding communities. Open to both kids and teenagers, the 2017 campaign begins tonight.

The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration and gates open about a half hour before the start of the workouts.

Staff involved in coaching includes Fitchburg coaches Cindy Donelan, Mark Jackson and Sara Lamey and Leominster coach Cathy Harris.”

Read more:  Annual youth track program kicks off tonight