Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Awards And Celebrations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chelsea School Committee honors students of the year across district and recognizes longtime retirees
Summary
The committee presented student‑of‑the‑year awards for multiple schools and read retirement citations honoring staff with decades of service, including custodial, food service and counseling personnel.
The Chelsea School Committee presented Student of the Year awards for multiple elementary, middle and high schools and read citations recognizing a slate of retirees with extended service to the district.
Superintendent Dr. Hector Abeyta opened the awards portion and called forward students, principals and teachers to present certificates. Students named Student of the Year included Selma Sadabene (Berkowitz School); Valeria Castillo (Kelley School); Aaliyah Trotman (Hooks School); Maite Martinez Garcia (Sokolowski School); Ashley Hernandez (Brown Middle School); Xander Jose (Morris Segal/Clark Avenue Middle School); Ara Ayit Shaim (The RISE [the Right Academy]); Ankit (Angel/Ankit) Sanchez Romero (Chelsea High School); Kevin Mendez (Chelsea Opportunity Academy); and Christopher Guevara (Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy), among others. Principals and teachers gave short remarks about each student's academic effort, leadership, biliteracy and community contributions.
Examples from presenters: Lisa Lineweaver, principal of Kelley School, and Valeria's teachers highlighted Valeria's biliteracy and said she "increased her English reading score by 285%." Mike Talbott, principal at Clark Avenue Middle School, described Xander as "a model of empathy and inclusivity." Staff and family members praised Chelsea High School student Ankit Sanchez Romero for leadership in a student group and volunteer activity.
The committee then presented retirement citations and spoke in tribute to long‑serving staff. Retirees recognized in the meeting included Mary Fallis (assistant cook/baker, 29+ years), Donna Arsenault (assistant cook/security, 23+ years), Antonio Clavio (building maintenance, 23 years), Ramon "Chubby" Ayala (building maintenance, 32 years), Susan McKay (educator, 12+ years in district roles), Ellen Benson (paraprofessional/HR resource specialist, 29+ years), and Ellen Coconidis (social worker/guidance counselor/director of school counseling, 27+ years). Colleagues shared memories and thanked retirees for long service; one colleague said of Ramon Ayala, "he's been my right hand man ever since," and later the superintendent and other leaders read formal citations into the record.
The meeting also included presentation of the "Name, Strength and Story" award to middle‑school music educator Lee Thomas for his work directing middle‑school bands across the district, and a staff appreciation for Gendry Elmosheen for consistent front‑desk hospitality.
No formal votes were required for the recognitions; the committee presented certificates and took group photographs after the awards.
