Fitchburg High School

Culture unites families, community ‘even closer together’

November 20, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Reingold Elementary School resonated with the exchange of cultural expression during the Wednesday evening event Thankful for Our Cultures, a free night of entertainment, dinner and learning.

Fitchburg Public Schools’ Deborah Hooper and Luisa Fernandez coordinated the evening, but acknowledged the team effort by school staff, building maintenance, and school resource officers to bring the night together.

Most notably, she thanked the groups that brought culture into the evening.

“Thank you…to the Finnish dance group, Revontulet, for its lovely performance…to FHS student Diego Barahona, who delivered a fantastic singing and dance presentation, the United Hmong of Massachusetts for an informative display, beautiful costumes and splendid choreography, and US Taekwondo for a thrilling demonstration that captivated the audience,” said Hooper, also recognizing DJ David Suarez and Longsjo School music teacher Nathanael Blankenship for his saxophone performance.

Interim Superintendent Jon Thompson, Interim Assistant Superintendent Glenda Colon and Sodexo Food Services served well over 200 guests to a turkey dinner topped off by some delicious desserts.

“What a tremendous night to bring our community even closer together,” Thompson said. “There were so many smiles and it was heartwarming to see.”

Hooper said that the several amazing performances were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

“It was a fun-filled evening for our families to learn about other cultures and enjoy a delicious meal together,” Hooper said. “So many people worked behind the scenes to bring this event to life.”

Along with dinner, students created arts and crafts from different cultures, looked at student displays and received goodie bags and free books.

“We are thankful for our families and our students,” co-coordinator Luisa Fernandez said. “Once again our families came out for a fun time where we ate, danced, laughed and created memories together. It truly fills my heart to know that families support us and are excited to participate in their children’s activities. Let’s keep working together to bring fun times and activities to our district.”

Fitchburg High School student Diego Barahona gives families a culturally-rich musical performance at the Reingold Elementary School during the event Wednesday evening. (COURTESY FITCHBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS)

United Hmong of Massachusetts with its display during the high school cultural event. (COURTESY FITCHBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS)

Families enjoying the turkey dinner during the Thankful for Our Cultures event at Reingold Elementary School.(COURTESY FITCHBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS)

Breakfast for the Bands ‘crucial’ for aspiring musicians

November 18, 2023 by pkzadmin

Music will once again fill the air at the 26th annual Breakfast for the Bands fundraiser being held on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fitchburg High School.

The location of the fundraiser established in 1995 by the Fitchburg and Leominster Rotary clubs alternates between Fitchburg and Leominster high schools. Event organizers always hold the event on the Sunday before the big Thanksgiving football matchup, a longtime historic rivalry between the two high school teams that, this year, will take place at Fenway Park on Nov. 22, being the first time the game was held outside the two cities.

Fitchburg High School football players serve up food at a previous Breakfast for the Bands fundraiser. (COURTESY JIM FUSCO)

Musicians from each of the high school bands will show off their talents with sets of music throughout the morning event that raises funds for the bands and football players from each school will be on the serving line after 9 a.m. Tickets are $8 apiece and can be purchased at the door for the affair co-chaired by Paul Gauvin from the Rotary Club of Fitchburg and John Tata from the Rotary Club of Leominster.

“Proceeds from the breakfast are crucial in supporting the fine young musicians from the Fitchburg and Leominster communities,” said Fitchburg East Rotary Secretary Karen Fusco. “Over the years, local businesses have supported this event with placemat ads, corporate and banner sponsors, and more.”

Leominster High School band members perform at a previous Breakfast for the Bands fundraiser. (COURTESY JIM FUSCO)

The longtime dedicated Rotarian said they expect to feed over 950 people who will enjoy all kinds of delicious breakfast foods including eggs, bacon, French toast, pancakes, fresh fruit, and coffee and juices. Over 40 volunteers will help serve the food and provide support, local officials and community members including Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, Rotarians, students, representatives from the music booster clubs, and more.

“Proceeds from the breakfast will be presented to each of the high school bands in January and are crucial to the support of our young aspiring musicians,” said Fusco, adding that over $100,000 raised over the years through the annual event has been donated to the bands.

Commentary: Putting Fitchburg’s season in perspective

November 11, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Disclaimer: I don’t like what I’m about to write.

The Fitchburg High football team’s 41-14 loss to Assabet Valley — the first time the Red and Gray have ever played the Aztecs on the gridiron — last Thursday night sent the Red Raiders to 0-10 for the second time in school history. Not only that, a loss to archrival Leominster on Thanksgiving Eve at Fenway Park will mark only the second time FHS has been winless in a football season since the program began in 1894.

Now, if FHS can beat the Blue Devils on Nov. 22, it would join a number—nine, 2016 being the most recent—of past Red Raider teams that kept themselves from infamy.

Looking back through the pages of time, you have to go back to the mid-1960’s to find the first and last time Fitchburg posted a goose egg in a grid campaign. That season was the 1965 season, which saw FHS go 0-8-1, with the lone tie, a 14-14 decision, coming against Rindge Tech — now Cambridge Rindge & Latin — on Oct. 23.

There are many parallels between the 1965 team and the current crop of Red Raiders. First, much like this season in Paul DiGeronimo, there was a new coach in place 58 years ago: that would be Marco Landon, who had been Stan Goode’s assistant the few years before Goode took over as principal of FHS following Stephen Woodbury’s retirement.

Not only that, the 1965 team no longer had the services of Warren Muir, the All-American halfback. Facts are facts, and Warren Muir was one of the greatest to ever put on Fitchburg red. His 39 career touchdowns set the standard until the 1990s. He had scored 18 in 1964, one shy of the school record at the time for TDs in a season, held jointly by Bill Mackie and Peter Montville.

Scoring output like that is hard to replicate and replace; FHS would eventually see Richie Boudreau from the Class of 1970 score 27 career TDs, and had a handful of players in the intervening years who scored double-digit marks. And keep in mind that Muir had replaced Barry MacLean and his 26 career TDs; interesting side note, Muir’s first career interscholastic TD came in the same game that MacLean scored his last in November 1961.

The 1965 team only scored 39 points, with Bernie Araujo scoring a team-high three touchdowns. Jimmy Pelletier scored Fitchburg’s other two TDs, both in the 14-14 tie against Rindge Tech.

The other points scored by Fitchburg that season? Joe Libertore, who scored the two-point conversion against Rindge, and John Perla, who booted home the only successful PAT that season.

The 1965 season:

Sept. 25: Newton South 27, FHS 6
Oct. 2: Notre Dame of Fitchburg 36, FHS 6
Oct. 9: Nashua NH 27, FHS 0
Oct. 16: Gardner 26, FHS 0
Oct. 23: FHS 14, Rindge Tech 14
Oct. 30: St. Bernard’s 28, FHS 6
Nov. 6: Athol 12, FHS 7
Nov. 13: Worcester Commerce 7, FHS 0
Nov. 25: Leominster 27, FHS 0

There was, however, a bright spot in that 1965 season: a freshman class that had a number of great players, including Tom DiGeronimo from the Class of 1969. DiGeronimo, a now-retired doctor living in Florida, scored 12 touchdowns over the next three seasons. He was paired with Johnny DiPasquale, who had 13. A good amount of those scores came from the electric throwing of Chris Petrides, who now lives in Northampton, and Allan Glenny, who passed away in 1980. Add in some stalwarts in Richie and Ralph Boudreau, Ralph Alario, and the aforementioned players named above, and you had a veritable recipe for success.

After that season, Fitchburg High regrouped and posted a 4-4-1 record and hit its stride in the late 1960s and early 1970s with three seasons that only saw one loss. Letter writers to the old Fitchburg Sentinel in 1965 took to the criticisms of the team and reminded readers of what they had lost: they lost Muir and a good chunk of the starting offensive line! When Fitchburg won the first Super Bowl in 1972, they had come from the very bottom.

Looking at this year’s roster, there were a number of underclassmen thrown into the fire, so to speak, who did good things despite the results. But with small bodies up front, it has been a tall task and a hard ask. These kids, though, will grow larger. They are keeping receipts.

Will there be a repeat of history in coming seasons? The Faithful is hopeful.

(Sean Sweeney is a former regular correspondent for the Sentinel & Enterprise. He is the Fitchburg High School Athletics Historian.)

Robinson to lead Fitchburg boys’ hoops

November 7, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG —Fitchburg Public Schools is pleased to announce Cedric Robinson as Fitchburg High School’s new varsity boys’ basketball coach.

“Cedric brings an existing cohesion with our student-athletes which is invaluable in a transition to new leadership,” said Fitchburg High athletic director Todd Robbins. “His work during the school day on a daily basis bolsters the work a head coach needs in building student-athletes who are prepared to become members of the community. Cedric is a member of the Fitchburg community and has walked in our students’ shoes before. He understands what they will need to be successful in life beyond basketball.”

Robinson has been an assistant Fitchburg High boys’ basketball coach since 2019 and also currently serves as the boys’ and girls’ volleyball head coach. He has also coached travel basketball with Mass Elite and the Central Mass Lions.

“We are excited for Cedric Robinson to lead our boys’ basketball team,” Fitchburg High Principal Dr. John Braga said. “With many years of assistant coach experience, Cedric is ready to lead the program both on and off the court.”

Robinson is obviously excited to take over the helm and lead the Red Raiders in the 2023-24 season.

“I am both honored and grateful to be given this opportunity,” Robinson said. “I believe that this isn’t a restart, but only a boost of morale for the team, in the school and for the City of Fitchburg. I can’t wait to get things rolling.”

Winter sports officially start on Nov. 27. The Red Raiders went 13-6 in the regular season last winter and were the 26th seeded in the Division 2 tournament, falling to No. 39 Nausset High in a one-point game to open the tourney.

Taking green from gray to white

October 29, 2023 by pkzadmin

CLINTON — Fitchburg-raised Ruben Seyde never imagined he would be where he is today, after being known as “a pothead” in high school. Nowadays, the Twin Cities native is peddling drugs legally as the founder and CEO of Delivered Inc., a same-day cannabis home delivery service.

Born in Leominster and raised in Fitchburg, Seyde, 27, considers his business savvy as a “direct product of the amazing Fitchburg Public School system” and said it’s one of the reasons why he’s now a successful entrepreneur.

Two people in particular from his Fitchburg High School days stand out – teacher and academic advisor Richard Vaughn and teacher and school counselor Jinnee Struss.

“I met him (Vaughn) off-chance one day after school and he ended up becoming a significant influence in my life. He helped me learn about and apply for many opportunities, like Boys State, the Yawkey scholarship, and with a lot of my college applications,” Seyde said of Vaughn. “Ms. Struss…ended up being my most trusted adult who I trust with just about everything.”

From left, Gabriel Castano, Tut Liu, Ruben Seyde, Caitlin Carini, Jackson Mejia, and Eddy Twal pose for a picture after Delivered won a $50,000 Elevate Northeast Social Equity Pitch Competition award back in December 2022. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE)

A member of the FHS Class of 2014, Seyde said that most people saw him “as a pothead or drug dealer.”

“But the people that really believed in me, like my mentors Mr. Vaughn and Ms. Struss, saw more than that,” he said. “It was thanks to people like them that helped me realize my potential. Now, I’m one of a handful of business owners in the state that can legally offer cannabis home delivery services in Massachusetts.”

Seyde majored in international relations with a concentration in business, economics, and politics at Boston University and, after graduating, moved from Fitchburg to Boston. He said the idea behind Delivered came from his experiences running his own and working for “other gray market cannabis delivery services” throughout Massachusetts.

“These experiences showed me that accessibility is what really matters to a lot of people, and no number of dispensaries will make a difference to someone that is stuck home for whatever reason,” he said. “Whether they are a stay-at-home mother or someone dealing with some medical issue, some people simply can’t leave their home and home delivery services make a world of a difference to people like this.”

His company, headquartered in Clinton, was started in May of 2020 and began cannabis delivery this past July.

“It took those three years to figure out the cumbersome regulatory process, raise capital, build out the space and team, and secure the necessary licenses to legally operate,” Seyde said. “Navigating the regulatory process was, and continues to be, a major challenge because the regulations controlling our industry make it one of the most strictly regulated industries in the state. We face even more regulations than pharmaceutical home delivery companies despite the fact the cannabis has never killed anyone, but the same cannot be said about pharmaceuticals.”

He explained that the pharmaceutical delivery business is not as heavily regulated as the one for cannabis.

“Now that we are open, these same regulations are making it a challenge to advertise our services and become profitable,” he said. “One example is the fact that we are required to conduct every delivery with two delivery agents in the car at all times and must check in with a dispatcher every 30 minutes. This doubles our operating expenses. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are able to deliver with one agent per delivery and do not have to check in with any dispatcher. Sometimes I feel like I would’ve been better off staying in the gray market.”

The Delivered team with Brett Folan of Nimbus Cannabis Co., another locally owned and operated cannabis business. Nimbus made and gifted a unique skateboard to Delivered when they first opened. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE) — The Delivered team with Brett Folan of Nimbus Cannabis Co., another locally owned and operated cannabis business.Nimbus made and gifted a unique skateboard to the Delivered crew when they first opened. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE)

Despite the ongoing regulatory hassles and the “hundreds of thousands of dollars” it took to start up Delivered, Seyde and his dedicated team are going strong. He said the response to the business “has been surprising” and that getting the word out is one of their biggest challenges, although it is spreading.

“Unfortunately for us, most consumers are not aware that legal cannabis home delivery is a thing,” Seyde said. “They continue to think that dispensaries are their only option. So, we are having to do a lot of education. Once people do learn about us though, they tend to love us.”

Seyde was thrilled to recently be recognized as one of the top 100 Latino leaders in the state by Amplify Latinx. The distinction coincided with Hispanic Heritage Month, an honor that the proud son of Mexican parents who immigrated to the U.S. in 1995 truly appreciates.

His father passed away in November of 2020, six months after he started Delivered, and his mom is back living in Mexico. Seyde said he will always “be grateful for Fitchburg,” the city that gave his “newly migrated parents the opportunity to settle here and start a life, life that allowed me to chase my dreams no matter how crazy they are.”

One of his business partners, Eddy Twal, also attended FHS and the company is 100% minority owned and operated.

“One of my favorite parts to highlight is that our entire operating team, who are also owners in the business, are all first-generation Americans,” Seyde said. “We really had the cards stacked against us, but we didn’t give up.”

The real boss at Delivered, Dante, getting ready to go out on some cannabis deliveries. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE)

They are the only cannabis home delivery service available in his hometown of Fitchburg. They also deliver to Clinton, Berlin, West Boylston, Leominster, Shrewsbury, Marlborough, Worcester, and Hudson, and frequently offer specials.

When asked what he enjoys about being his own boss, Seyde said he loves “the freedom that comes with owning a business.”

“But beyond that, I love that it helps me help people who need help,” he said. “Last year we hosted a coat drive throughout Worcester County and topped it off with a community dinner. We catered the event and served a three-course meal to anyone that wanted a meal. Tut Liu, one of my partners, was standing outside flagging people down, inviting them for dinner. One person that he flagged down told Tut ‘I was on my way to pawn my Bluetooth speaker to buy my dinner. Thanks to you, I can keep my speaker and have dinner!’ We managed to pull that off before we had any income. I can’t wait to see what more we can do as we grow.”

When looks back on how far he’s come since high school, Seyde is proud of his journey and believes that “everyone, regardless of their circumstances, really can achieve whatever they set their mind to.”

“Life is very different compared to back then,” he said. “I literally remember daydreaming about owning a business as I would pull up into school. Now, I’m actually living that dream. I’m still a long way away from where I really want to be but it’s really fulfilling to take a moment and recognize the progress I’ve made through the years.”

From left, Eddy Twal, Ruben Seyde, Allison Pelletier, and Tut Liu at the Cannabis Control Commission's Worcester headquarters the day Delivered received its final license. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE) — From left, Eddy Twal, Ruben Seyde, Allison Pelletier, and Tut Liu at the Cannabis Control Commission’s Worcester headquarters the day Delivered received its final license. (COURTESY RUBEN SEYDE)

Gauvin gives back to Fitchburg High

October 9, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Josh Gauvin says it feels good to make a difference.

The Fitchburg High School senior is definitely a difference-maker, and the marks he’s leaving on Fitchburg High will be there long after he graduates on May 31.

The 18-year-old Eagle Scout has given back to the school by designing and constructing six new wooden signs that are proudly displayed on the walls of the high school as part of his Eagle Scout project, the last and often the most difficult hurdle to pass in the years-long journey to the rank of Eagle Scout.

“I knew I wanted to do something with Fitchburg High because, ever since I came to Fitchburg schools in ninth grade, it was a great and welcoming place to me,” Gauvin said. “So I wanted to give back in whatever way possible, and I thought that would be a really cool thing.”

Gauvin’s initial project centered around designing and building a new Hall of Fame sign to replace the old one, but quickly turned into making a total of six signs, including multiple class attendance signs as well as a sign to note the teachers absent on a given day.

“I was incredibly impressed,” said Fitchburg High Faculty Manager of Athletics and EMT, Alan Twomley, who suggested to Gauvin to create a new Hall of Fame sign to display at the bottom of the stairs on the first floor. “The detail, the craftsmanship, and that was all Josh. I was blown away by the detail and professionalism of how it looked. It was absolutely phenomenal. Over and above what we anticipated and asked for.”

Gauvin received donations to cover the project cost of $1,000.

“Most of the cost went into the hardware,” said Gauvin, which included purchasing wood, stain, tools and glue.

With the assistance of Scout Master Bill Hodges, his father, Todd, and other members of Boy Scout Troop 41 in Fitchburg, Gauvin said the signs were built in his garage and living room.

The brainstorming and planning of the project started last September.

“I was slacking a little bit, but, around late May, we started to really get into the work and June is where a lot of it came together,” Gauvin said.

All the signs came together at roughly the same time, says Gauvin. He delivered each sign to Fitchburg High in early June, and the custodians hung them up in time for school to start on Sept. 5.

“Seeing all the hard work turn into something is really awesome,” Gauvin said.

Scouting skills

Gauvin says he’s been involved in Scouts since the second grade.

“We have our scout oath and law, just general practice to live by,” Gauvin said. “I’ve learned a lot of really helpful skills.”

And experience shows that he did learn helpful skills; such as saving lives.

Roughly five years ago he helped save two members of his troop from a kayaking incident at Lake George in New York. On that day, while kayaking at a Boy Scout event, heavy winds picked up “out of nowhere” and large waves started to form. Water quickly started to fill their kayaks and the two scouts began to sink.

“One of them knew how to swim and neither had their life jackets on as well as they should have,” Gauvin said.

That’s when Gauvin and his friend quickly sprung into action.

The two Scouts jumped out of their own kayaks to attempt the rescue, and eventually got everyone to safer water.

“We got them into our kayaks and the state police came along and scooped us all up,” Gauvin said.

That moment is when Gauvin was able to realize that what he does in Scouts “really matters and it really can matter.”

Gauvin added: “There are so many stories of Boy Scouts saving lives. There are kids under 18 saving lives and making a difference for everyone.”

Gauvin was motivated to make a difference and to give back to Fitchburg High because of the love he’s felt since he entered the Fitchburg Public School system.

“Everyone around here was super welcoming and I definitely would not be who I am today if I didn’t go to Fitchburg,” Gauvin said. “ I’m thankful for that.”

Twomley has nothing but high praise for Gauvin.

“Josh exemplifies Fitchburg High School,” Twomley said. “Everything we try to talk to these kids about, making the most of your four years here at Fitchburg High School, Josh embodies that.”

Gauvin certainly does it all at Fitchburg High. He’s the class president, does theater in and out of school, is a member of the ice hockey team in the winter and volleyball team in the spring.

“It’s been awesome,” Gauvin said. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities and have been able to do a lot here. It’s been great to meet all these awesome people and do all these cool things. I’ve had a great experience here.”

Fitchburg Boy Scout Troop 41 will be holding an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony – which recognizes and celebrates a scout who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in scouting – for Gauvin on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Fay Club in Fitchburg.

Chad Garner is the communications coordinator for Fitchburg Public Schools.

Fitchburg High School

Scouting skills

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