ORR Senior Class Awards

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English Language Arts

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement English 12 – Allison Root

Creative Writing – Mackenzye Caton

English 12 A – Madison Lucas

English 12 A Honors – Tyler Williams

Genealogy – Rylie Coughlin

Creative English A – Keira Hart-Bonville

Creative English Honors – Sofia Bouley

Monsters, Murder and Madness Honors – Mackenzye Caton, Allison Winters

Monsters, Murder and Madness A – James Harrington

Sports Media – Tyler Williams

Theater – Amalia Dupre

Department Award – Chloe Bean

Mathematics

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement Calculus – Jacob Hadley

Advanced Placement Statistics – Alia Cusolito

Advanced Algebra  – Hunter Bishop

Calculus – Cole Goldie, Logan Leblanc

Precalculus – Jonathan Nguyen

Finite Mathematics and Statistics – Reilly Garber

American Mathematics Competition 12 – Theodore Cecil

Olympiad Competition – Jacob Hadley, Jackson Veugen

Most Enthusiastic About Learning Mathematics – Theo Jacobsen

Department Award – Jacob Hadley

Physical Education

Certificates of Excellence: – John Armanetti, Ryan Arruda, Reilly Garber, John Higgins, Ty MacKenzie, Adam McConnell, Noah Mendes, Mateo Pina, Noah Pittsley, George Psichopaidas, Jack Rapoza, Robert Spenard, Jason Tobin, Ben Wyman

Department Awards – Alexia Gonsalves, Remy Wilson

Science

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement Biology – Cole Goldie

Advanced Placement Environmental Science – Ava McLeod

Advanced Placement Physics – Jacob Hadley

Advanced Placement Chemistry – Jacob Hadley

Anatomy & Physiology A – Jonathan Nguyen

Honors Anatomy & Physiology – Owen Modracek

Environmental Science – Lillian Dumoulin

Forensics Science A – Aleeya McCarthy

Hon Forensic Science – Mars Castro-Colaj

Honors Physics – Macy Ingham

Physics A – Amber Engel, Nicholas Miedema

Marine Biology – Keira Hart-Bonville

Epidemiology – Shay-ann Robertson, Allison Winters

Genethics – Sofia Bouley

Honors Anatomy & Physiology II – Cole Goldie

Department Award – Jacob Hadley

Society of Women Engineers Awards – High Honors:  Emily Abbott, Eloise Casi, Allison Winters

Highest Honors: Brenna O’Donnell

Social Studies

Charles Washburn Award – Ella Caesar

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement Psychology – Theo Jacobsen

Advanced Placement Human Geography – Theo Jacobsen, Owen Modracek

Honors Economics – Logan Leblanc

History Through Film – Jenna Woodward

Law & Legal System – Lillian Dumoulin

Honors Local History – Andrew Porter

Philosophy – Alia Cusolito

Sociology – Alia Cusolito

Department Award – Eva Hartley

Technology & Engineering

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement Computer Science A – Nicholas Miedema, Brenna O’Donnell

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles – Theo Jacobsen

Computer Science for All – Logan Leblanc

Multimedia Design – Macy Ingham

Web Development – Reilly Garber

Cybersecurity – Dylan Durgin

Department Award Computer Science – Jonathan Nguyen

Department Award Tech & Engineering  – Brenna O’Donnell

Unified Arts

Certificates of Excellence:

Ceramics – Megan McFadyen, Alice Prefontaine

Drawing – Ella Caesar

Mixed Media – Emerson Femino

Painting – Alexis Lord

Photography – Mackenzie Caton

Visual Design – Arielle Troupe

Department Award Visual Arts – Tyler Chick

Music 

National School Chorus Award – Cattarinha Nunes

John Philip Sousa Band Award – James Kippenberger

Louis Armstrong Jazz Band Award – Jorge Carrillo

Stan Ellis Jazz Award – Amalia Dupre

ORR Music Director’s Awards – Chloe Bean

Department Award/Concert Band – James Kippenberger

Department Award/ Jazz Band – Jorge Carrillo

Department Award/Chorus – Cattarinha Nunes

Department Award/A Capella – Chloe Bean

World Language

Certificates of Excellence:

Advanced Placement Latin – Eva Hartley

Advanced Placement Spanish  – Jacob Hadley

Spanish 5 – Gabriella Romig

Department Awards

Latin – Eva Hartley

Spanish – Jacob Hadley

Child Dev/Early Childhood Ed

Department Awards – Lila Bangs, Rylie Coughlin

Athletic Department Awards

Andrew J. Santos Award – Kamryn Rodrigues

Elliott Macomber Memorial Award – Macy Ingham

Joao Rodrigues Athletic Award – Chase Besancon

Lester S. Teixeira Athletic Award – Hunter Bishop

Melissa Duarte Memorial Awards: 

Girls Soccer – Macy Ingham

Girls Softball – Rylee Kouta

Girls Track – Aubrey Heise

Girls Basketball – Amber Engel

FORD Awards – Chloe Bean, Jorge Carrillo, Eloise Casi, Amalia Dupre, James Kippenberger, Cattarinha Nunes, Brenna O’Donnell

FORM Awards – Chloe Bean, Arianna Bessey, Jorge Carrillo, Eloise Casi, Alia Cusolito, Amalia Dupre, Corrinne Hibbert, James Kippenberger, Keelin Lienkamp, Cattarinha Nunes, Allison Root, Allison Winters

Stone Rooster Jazz Scholarship – Jorge Carrillo

Community Service Club Awards; Presidential Volunteer Service Awards – Mars Castro-Colaj, James Kippenberger, Cattarinha Nunes

Nolan Gibbons Memorial Scholarship – JHS Drama Club – Amalia Dupre

Emma E. Whittaker Memorial Scholarship – Murray Callahan, Elizabeth Harrington, Alexis Lord, Emilia Perriera

Yearbook Club Recognition Award – Sara Costa, Sara Kroll, Kamryn Rodrigues

Mattapoisett Land Trust Scholarships

Blanche B. Perry – Andrew Porter

Priscilla Hathaway Art – Tyler Chick

ORCTV Kenneth Souza Memorial Award – Amalia Dupre

Bulldog Pride Alumni Award – Alia Cusolito

Unsung Hero Student Council Award – Mars Castro-Colaj, Darin Procopio

Top Ten Scholars – Chloe Bean, Alia Cusolito, Jacob Hadley, Eva Hartley, Macy Ingham, Theo Jacobsesn, Ava McLeod, Brenna O’Donnell, Andrew Porter, Mariana Sudofsky

National Honor Society Advisor Awards – Rylie Coughlin, Corinne Hibbert

Guidance Department Award – Jaymison Gunschel, Paetyn Tripp

Assistant Principal’s Award – Lilah Bangs

Superintendent’s Award – Theo Jacobsen

Principal Awards:

National Merit Scholarship Program Awards

Commended Students – Alia Cusolito, Allison Root

Joan Walsh Book Award – Rylie Coughlin

Scholar Athlete Award – Macy Ingham

Principal’s Awards – Murray Callahan, Tyler Williams

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To the Editor;

            Regarding the news report “House Ablaze Was About To Close,” Volume 33 dated May 30, 2024, It was reported that I was a former fire chief of the Marion Fire Department which was then under command of Chief Brian Jakvony at the scene of the fire.

            Although I served a long membership on the Marion Fire Department (1964 – 1999), I was never assigned as a Chief of Department.

            On the subject of this particular fire incident, I wish to commend the responding fire crews from Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester for outstanding performance.

            Our citizens can have confidence in the regional response system, starting with the enhanced 911 Call Center which directs the closest available responders to the scene.

            This was a decisive factor in the outcome.

            Sincerely,

Jonathan F. Henry

Retired Captain Marion Fire Department

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Hike Together: Mattapoisett and Rochester Land Trusts

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Grab your MLT Hike50 mileage tracker and hit the trail with Mattapoisett Land Trust and Rochester Land Trust. Meet at the Shoolman Preserve in Rochester on Wednesday, June 19 at 8:30 am. This preserve is great for birding, so bring your binoculars if you’re inclined. The hike will cover about a mile and a half.

            Please RSVP on Mattapoisett Land Trust’s event page so we know to expect you. Hiking shoes and long pants are recommended – dress comfortably for the weather. We’ll see you on the trail. This is a free event open to all, hope to see you there. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.

Mattapoisett Museum

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In honor of Pride Month, the Mattapoisett Museum on 5 Church Street invites the public on Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm to celebrate the life and legacy of New Bedford’s own Paul Clayton and his influence on the folk music scene of the 1950’s and early 60’s in Greenwich Village.

            This program, Remembering the Songman of New Bedford, will explore Clayton’s life through musical performances and historical narrative by Tom Goux, Dan Lanier, Butch McCarthy, Neal McCarthy, Seth Asser, Gary Brown and MaryBeth Soares. Almost 60 years after his death, Paul Clayton’s ghost continues to hover over American folk music. The man whom Bob Dylan once described as a “medium” that channeled the very essence of traditional songs from the sea and the mountains, and whom Dave Van Ronk acknowledged was an important “influence” on both

            Dylan and himself, was born right down the road in New Bedford in 1931.

            Clayton was a performer, a collector and a field recorder of traditional folks songs and openly gay. From 1956-1961 he was the most recorded young folk singer in America. He brought hundreds of obscure folk ballads and songs into the American music scene. Praised by many superstars to come out of the entire folk musical era now gone, Clayton is a national treasure. This presentation will help to shed light on how the history of the whaling culture in our area influenced a young man to pursue his interest and passion for folk music.

            Registration is required at www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events.

Letendre Loses Interim Tag

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Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that Heidi Letendre has been named Principal of Rochester Memorial School. Letendre has served as interim principal since the beginning of the school year.

            “We are thrilled to have Principal Letendre leading Rochester Memorial School in a permanent capacity,” said Superintendent Nelson. “She has demonstrated great leadership and has already had such a positive impact on our students and staff members.”

            Prior to her interim role at Rochester Memorial, Letendre served as Principal for 10 years in Middleborough, where she managed daily school operations as well as proactively changed the school schedule to best support student learning and teaching practices. Previously, she worked at the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District for 10 years.

            “I am delighted that Mrs. Letendre has accepted the position of Principal at Rochester Memorial School,” said Rochester Memorial School Committee Chair Sharon Hartley. “She is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and positive school leader who has already embraced our school community.”

            As Memorial School’s Interim Principal, Letendre implemented with staff a new program called “IntoReading.” The program, which is a new challenging literacy curriculum and a large undertaking by Principal Letendre and staff members, involving several trainings, meetings, data review and more.

            She also implemented the Celebrations Committee, in which faculty, staff, and Letendre plan throughout the school year. The goal is to enhance school culture and show appreciation for Rochester Memorial educators. In addition, the committee is looking for ways to highlight students and plan events.

            Letendre said, “It has been my pleasure to be the Interim Principal at Rochester Memorial School this past year. Right from the beginning, the faculty and staff have been very welcoming and supportive, which made my transition as Interim Principal feel seamless. What has stood out to me, is the genuine care, concern and dedication of the RMS faculty and staff. Everyone who works at RMS truly wants what is best for each student and it shows through their positive attitudes and work ethic. Overall, it has been a very positive and rewarding experience working with this team of educators, and I am honored to be part of this community and look forward to serving as the Rochester Memorial School Principal in the years ahead.”

            Letendre has developed positive relationships with faculty, staff and students. Her short-term goals as Principal are to continue to build her relationships and make more community connections.

            “As the principal, it is important to create and maintain a safe learning environment for everyone. This starts with understanding the dynamics of the school and community and building trust among all stakeholders,” Letendre added.

            “Our main goal is always to increase student achievement and to provide a positive and safe learning environment. It is my responsibility to advocate for the needs of our students and educators so our students can achieve greater academic, social, emotional success while building relationships and feeling part of an inclusive school community.”

            Letendre continues to support Rochester Memorial’s curriculum implementation and assist teachers with the process. She hopes to work collaboratively to define tiered instructional practices while being in alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and School Improvement Plan.

            “As always, our focus starts with the student and supporting the whole child. I look forward to engaging in this collaborative work in the years ahead,” said Letendre.

Eagle Eye Trained on Learning

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            To Noah Bellefeuille, becoming an Eagle Scout is about much more than a rare level of expertise in all things outdoorsy.

            The 17-year-old Rochester resident just finishing up his junior year at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School wants to be a calming influence in a fragile society dialed deep into social media and often lacking reliable information on important subjects.

            “You always need to keep learning because once you stop learning, you basically can’t move forward, and the more you inform yourself and gather your facts, the more of a well-rounded person you’re going to be,” said Bellefeuille. “I think it’s also crucial that we think before we speak because we could get information from one place, and we could start blabbering about it and it could be completely false. And I think that’s a problem in today’s world, not just with kids but with adults.

            “Being informed, it really opens our eyes to different perspectives, and people need to know what it’s like to be the other side. They need to look at it from different views, and then based on their views and other views have their own opinions.”

            Like Eddie Brown, Reese Mansour and Quinn Thompson, three other new Eagle scouts, and Logan Empey, who is putting together his final paperwork, Bellefeuille chose an Eagle Scout project.

            With the assistance of several volunteers, including adults and other Boy Scouts from Troop 31, Bellefeuille led the building of two large picnic tables for Old Colony’s outdoor environmental center.

            The tables will vastly improve working space for outdoor science classes and activities near the vernal pool down the path from the school’s parking lot just a short walk from the athletic fields.

            Learning is important to Bellefeuille, who with a year of high school remaining has yet to decide on whether to continue in the electrical-technician field or to attend college and do something completely different: become a history teacher.

            “I was always interested in history,” he said.

            Bellefeuille’s history in scouting began with Cub Scouts and in fifth grade crossed over to Boy Scouts. He recalls Eagle scouts Robbie Nordahl and Colin Mackin as main role models.

            “I respected them because they knew how to lead us and how to manage the groups. We were split up into patrols, and they would be our leaders,” he said.

            Logistical hurdles redirected Bellefeuille away from a benches project he had imagined for Rochester Memorial School, but he contacted Old Colony administration and learned about the school’s outdoor center.

            “There was already a picnic table there … it’s not terrible, but I feel I wanted to add more to that,” he said. “I feel like teachers needed more space.”

            Citing class size, Bellefeuille wanted to solve a problem, something he hopes to do in many places in the world.

            “I love how the Boys Scouts … matures us. My idea of the Boy Scouts is it turns boys into mature, young men who are supposed to be the role models for other boys, and it’s supposed to make us knowledgeable on many topics. And it’s supposed to make us able outdoorsmen and people who are informed citizens, basically,” said Bellefeuille. “And it teaches us to be leaders and how to manage groups of people. We do that a lot. I was in charge of the younger guys who crossed over. … I definitely picked up some leadership skills along the way.”

By Mick Colageo

Early June in the Mattapoisett Library’s Children’s Room

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The Mattapoisett Free Public Library’s Children’s Department is excited to launch June with two amazing events.

            On Thursday, June 13 at 3:30 pm, dive into the fascinating world of insects with entomologist Blake Dinius as he presents Backyard Bugs. Join us to explore the incredible diversity of bugs that live right in our backyards. Learn about their unique challenges and how to identify different species. This event is perfect for bug enthusiasts of all ages. No registration is required.

            On Friday, June 14 at 3:30 pm, the Graphic Novel Book Club will meet to discuss Long Distance by Whitney Gardner. Copies of the book are available for checkout in the Children’s Department at the circulation desk. Registration is required for this event, so be sure to sign up and be part of the discussion.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org. You can also find more information on our website at MattapoisettLibrary.org.

Plumb Library Summer Program

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Starting June 12 through August 3, join us for a summer of free, family-friendly fun. The Plumb program is for ages 3 and up, tweens/teens, and adults. Each individual person needs to sign up online starting June 12.

            Join us on Wednesday, June 12 from 3:30-4:30 pm for running, jumping, and bubble-popping fun. Mr. Vinny is bringing his handmade, giant bubble wand to create floating blobs of soapy goodness. No registration required. This is a drop-in event for all ages and will be held outside, weather-permitting.

ORCTV Kenneth J. Souza Memorial Award

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Each year, Old Rochester Community Television honors one graduating senior from our Old Rochester Regional High School video production program with the ‘Outstanding Video Production Student Award’. The $1000 award is meant to assist the student as they move on to study video production or film upon entering college. This program is named in the memory of ORCTV’s first President Kenneth J. Souza.

            The recipient of this year’s award is Amalia Dupre who showed a great commitment to the ORCTV video production educational program during the past two school years as she balanced school work, studio work, extracurricular activities and after-school employment.

            The staff and board of Old Rochester Community TV wish to congratulate Amalia Dupre on this well-earned honor.

            If you would like to contribute to the Ken Souza Scholarship fund, please send a check to ORCTV at 135 Marion Rd., Mattapoisett, MA 02739 and write Ken Souza Scholarship Award in the memo space. ORCTV is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, making all contributions tax deductible.

Old Rochester Regional High School Class of 2024

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Congratulations to the graduates of ORR!

*Emily Grace Abbott, Helena Antoinette Anesti, John Taylor Armanetti, Ryan Andrew Arruda, Noah Evan Michael Arsenault, Lila Aline Bangs, *Chloe Marie Bean, *Chase Thomas Besancon, Arianna Elizabeth Bessey, *Hunter Thomas Bishop, Jaeleigh Marie Black, Noah Henry Bongiorno, Emily Kate Borges, Blaine William Boulanger, *Sofia Alice Bouley, Cameron Hunter Bourque, John Kubik Bowman, Tyler Michael Brodeur, John Edward Butler, *Ella Marie Caesar, *Murray Teagan Callahan, Abigail Jordyn Campbell, Lance Joseph Carreiro, Jorge Ricardo Carrillo III, Traeh Spencer Lester Carrington,*Eloise Alize Casi, *Mars Castro-Colaj, Mackenzye Carol-Lynn Caton, *Theodore Moses Cecil, Cassandra Marie Charron, Tyler Douglas Chick, Henry Edward Cooney, *Sara Emily Costa, *Rylie Olivia Coughlin, Andrew Paul Cournoyer-Geary, William Henry Cournoyer-Geary, *Julia Lynn Crain, Eliza Jane Curtis, *Alia Maria Cusolito, Dandara Miranda De Oliveira, Ghost Rose DesRoches, Lillian Rae Dumoulin, *Amalia Ann Dupre, *Dylan William Durgin, Abigail Mae Durr, Ryan Christopher Elicier, *Amber Elizabeth Engel, Emerson Mae Femino, Kathryne Grace Fitzpatrick, Constance Rose Friedman, Ethan Thomas Furtado, Gabriel Martin Galipeau, Reilly John Garber, Chloe Rose Gleason, *Cole Ian Goldie, *Tara Grace Goldman, Alexia Ololia Gonsalves, *Jaymison Ryan Gunschel, *Jacob William Hadley, *Elizabeth Claire Harrington, James Marshall Harrington, Keira Caitlin Hart-Bonville, *Eva Grace Hartley, Aurora Riley Hayden, *Aubrey Claire Heise, *Corinne Elizabeth Hibbert, John Patrick Higgins, *Macy Grace Ingham, *Theo John Jacobsen, Christina Daniel James, *Lily Anabel Johnson, Matthew Thomas Kennefick, James Francis Kippenberger, Rylee Jolie Kouta, *Sara Elizabeth Kroll, Logan Albert Leblanc, *Zach Steven LeBlanc, Ian Fabrizio Soares Leon, *Keelin Elaine Lienkamp, Alexis Sumner Lord, Madison Elizabeth Lucas, Ty Evan MacKenzie, John Daniel Marmelo, Anthony John Marraffa Jr, Rhianna Roselynn Martinez, *Marina Neves Martins, Mitchell Peter Mathieu, *Aleeya Catherine McCarthy, Grace Josephine McCarthy, Adam Scott McConnell, *Megan Nancy McFadyen, *Ava Marie McLeod, Noah Ryan Mendes, Maxwell John Michaelis, *Nicholas Andries Miedema, Colin Henry Mills, Ethan Justin Mistica, *Owen James Modracek, Laura Lynn Monaghan, Nashajia Lynn Marie Monteiro, Sydney Kathryn Musgrove, Danikka Aileen Myers, Jacob Stephen Newton, Jonathan Ta Nguyen, *Cattarinha Alexandryia Nunes, Mariah Ann-Marie Nunes, Phoenyx Izadora Xoco Nunes, *Brenna Katherine O’Donnell,  Anna Silva Pereira, *Emilia May Perriera, *Logan Robert Perry, Mateo Nathan Pina, Noah Matthew Lopes Pittsley, *Andrew Cummings Porter, Alice Ivy Prefontaine, Darin Procopio, George Nicholas Psichopaidas, *Kelly Anne Quinlan, Preston Anthony Quinn, Jack Carey Rapoza, Gavin Matthew Robbins, Shay-ann Natalia Robertson, *Marcus Patrick Robichaud, *Kamryn Reily Rodrigues, *Gabriella Palma Romig, *Allison Diane Root, Katherine Grace Scherer, Ace Valentino Sellinger, Aiden Paul Sellinger, *Aidan Monteiro Silk, Mackenzie Haze Silvia, Reese Catherine Souza, Robert Michael Spenard, *Mariana Isabel Sudofsky, James Drew Thomas, Jason Matthew Tobin Jr, *Angela Muriel Tomasso, *Paetyn Renee Tripp, Payton Theresa Tripp, *Arielle Linda Troupe, *Jackson Ruiter Veugen, Alyssa Vieira, Hanna Whalley, Emma Elizabeth Whittaker, Tyler Jason Williams, Remy James Wilson, *Allison Christine Winters, Harry Joseph Raznikov Wisner, Jenna Nicole Woodward, Benjamin Tomas Wyman, Brooke Elizabeth Yoo, Tyler Harrison Young, *Liam Eriksen Yurof

*National Honor Society