BVT Names Superintendent's Scholars
Also known as the Superintendent's Scholar Award, the annual commendation is presented to two BVT seniors who exemplify the school's commitment to cutting-edge career technical training and rigorous academics. Michael, a resident of Mendon, and Theodore, an Upton resident, will graduate in May 2016 from BVT's Electronics and Engineering Technology program.
Theodore was chosen to represent Massachusetts students for two terms on the Governor’s Statewide Youth Council as one of only two representatives from Worcester County. As a Youth Council member, Theodore organized large-scale community events throughout the state. He serves on the Confirmation Retreat Team at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Upton, and volunteers each summer as a basketball coach at a summer camp for at-risk youth based in Hubbardston. Theodore is a self-taught musician who enjoys playing the piano and the ukulele.
Michael Altavilla is the Class of 2016 Salutatorian and an active participant in the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Student Ambassador program. Michael hopes to study Electrical, Aerospace, Electromechanical, or Robotics Engineering at Northeastern University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, or another four- or five-year university. In his co-op placement with the world-renowned EMC Corporation, Michael became the first high school student ever hired to EMC's hardware engineering group. Michael is a member of the BVT golf and baseball teams, and volunteers through Young Neighbors in Action, as well as various church and charitable events.
In June 2014, after winning gold medals at the district and state levels, Michael joined more than 5,000 vocational technical students at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Using the technical skills and competitive spirit developed at Valley Tech, Michael earned a SkillsUSA national gold medal in Principles of Engineering. This fall, Michael was one of only five statewide career technical education students nominated by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick congratulated Theodore and Michael on their awards and thanked them for their many contributions to Valley Tech.
"Michael and Theodore have enthusiastically and earnestly represented Valley Tech in interactions with some of the highest level state officials and global educators who have visited our campus in recent years," Fitzpatrick commented. "Both young men exemplify qualities of academic excellence, technical competence, leadership, and school and community involvement that proudly represent vocational technical education in the 21st century. We look forward to celebrating their continued success."