Emily Roseman, resident of Rochester, graduated from Bates College on May 31 with a bachelor’s degree in politics, magna cum laude.

The largest graduating class in WPI’s history – 1,680 students – received their degrees beneath a large, billowing tent that shielded graduates and well-wishers from the sun that occasionally peeked from behind generally cloudy skies. In all, the Institute awarded 956 bachelor’s degrees, 682 master’s degrees, and 42 PhDs during its 147th Commencement exercises.

The following local residents recently graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI):

– Mary-Lee Barboza of Rochester was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and biotechnology with high distinction.

– Gregory Kornichuk of Rochester was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering with high distinction.

– Michael Gifford of Rochester was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering with high distinction.

– Xiaoyu Wang of Rochester was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.

– Alexander Stylos of Rochester was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in robotics engineering.

Brenna Maloney, a junior majoring in Health Promotion, from Marion was among approximately 1,800 students at Coastal Carolina University who made the Spring 2015 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, freshmen must earn a 3.25 grade point average and upperclassmen must earn a 3.5 grade point average. To qualify for the President’s List, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average. All students must be enrolled full time.

Kerry Ecker from Mattapoisett graduated from Wake Forest University on May 18.

Cody J. Nadeau of Marion graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from McDaniel College. McDaniel awarded 358 bachelor’s degrees during the 145th Commencement on May 23.

Nathan D’Olympia, a 2005 graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, was recently awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physics from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is currently working as a scientist at Passport Systems in Billerica, MA.

In order to adapt to changes in technology and behavior among young adults, the Old Rochester Regional High School Student Handbook is always changing. A new rule added earlier this year is cracking down on the use of electronic cigarettes, which come in many shapes and forms, making them a hard item to regulate. Although not an epidemic, the number of disciplinary cases involving ‘e-cigarettes’ has risen steadily as their popularity continues to increase.

Assistant Principal Michael Parker reported there have been five or six cases involving e-cigarettes recently. Parker, Principal Michael Devoll, and School Nurse Kim Corazzini provided their take on the issue of young people and e-cigs.

For the uninitiated, most electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, and some public health groups say they may be as unhealthy or nearly as unhealthy as cigarettes. Also referred to as ‘vapes’ or sold as hookah pens, their use has skyrocketed as advertising campaigns targeting young people have become more prominent in the last three years. This comes at a time when the usage levels of traditional cigarettes have declined sharply among teens and young adults.

Corazzini referred to e-cigs as another marketing ploy by cigarette companies struggling to maintain business.

“A few years back, a lot of money went to a campaign to stop teen smoking. To make sure the laws for 18-year olds were enforced,” Corazzini said. Now she sees e-cigarettes as new technology aimed at making smoking “look cool again.”

Noting the health risks associated with e-cigarette usage, Corazzini listed the effects of ‘vaping’ and e-cigarette use reported.

“Asthma, breathing issues, and all of those things,” said Corazzini. “Unfortunately, there’s no regulation for these things. They’re not regulated by the FDA.”

Corazzini hopes that e-cigarettes don’t become a huge problem in the high school.

“As high-schoolers have more freedom, they smoke or turn to other drugs outside of school. It seems e-cigarettes are more of a problem at the junior high so far,” she said.

“[E-cigarettes] are a tobacco product … morphed,” she concluded.

Parker calls the handbook a “work in progress.”

“Whether it’s electronics or things on bullying,” said Parker. “The only difference is e-cigs are specifically not allowed in school now.”

E-cigs, according to Mr. Parker, are treated the same as normal cigarettes discipline-wise.

“It’s a two-day suspension for e-cig use. It’s become a problem because they’re out in society, but it’s only been a handful of cases.”

Warning about the health risks that e-cigarettes pose, Parker said, “You don’t know what can be put in them now. It’s not just vapor.”

Devoll agreed with Parker’s opinion regarding the student handbook.

“Our handbook is constantly evolving with the times,” he said. “I believe it (the policy change) was made to tighten up our substance policy,” said Devoll, adding that it was ORR’s goal to help students make healthy and safe decisions.

In addition to inserting the new rule into the handbook, Devoll plans to further combat the e-cig issue by bringing more awareness to it.

“The first time we address it with a student, it’s an educational piece,” said Devoll, “because students don’t connect it to use and abuse of substances.”

It will be interesting to see if e-cigarettes continue to gain in popularity in the coming years or if they’ll burn out and prove to be nothing but a fad. Whatever the outcome is, ORR leaders such Devoll, Parker, and Corazzini are working their hardest to encourage healthy decision making in their students.

By Patrick Briand