Seekonk School News

Official School News Blog

Seekonk High School Celebrates Athletic Achievements of 2023-24 Season

by

Seekonk High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of its student-athletes during the 2023-24 athletic season. Despite facing challenges, the Warriors have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and sportsmanship across various sports.

 

In the fall, the Boys’ Cross Country team earned the SCC Gold Championship with a perfect 4-0 record and won the SCC Championship meet. The Girls’ Cross Country team also triumphed, securing victory at the SCC Championship meet.

 

The winter season saw remarkable performances from the Girls’ Swim team, which achieved an undefeated 7-0 record and won the SCC Tournament. Addison Abreu excelled by not losing a single regular season individual or relay event. She was honored as a Boston Herald Scholastic and League All-Star, a Boston Globe Scholastic and League All-Star, and a Sun Chronicle Girls Swimming All-Star. Addison is the only girl in the state to win both individual events at the D2 States this year and is a four-time MIAA State Champion. She holds eight high school records and will compete at Bryant University next year as the only D1 athlete from Seekonk this year.

 

The Baseball team emerged as SCC Gold Champs with a 17-3 record defeated Pittsfield 8-0 to win the state Division 4 championship. This marks their third consecutive appearance in the state championship, having won the title last year.

 

Standout player Tyler Kropis, named SCC MVP, achieved a 6-1 pitching record with a 0.64 ERA and 103 strikeouts, alongside a batting average of .351, one home run, and 12 RBIs. He has verbally committed to East Tennessee State University.

 

Other spring highlights include the Softball team earning a berth in the MIAA Tournament with an 8-10 record, the Boys’ Lacrosse team finishing with a 10-8 record and also securing a spot in the MIAA Tournament, and the Boys’ Tennis team concluding its season with a 7-8 record and tournament qualification.

 

“We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for their dedication and perseverance throughout the season,” said John Moran, Athletic Director. “Their achievements reflect the hard work and commitment of our coaches, parents, and community supporters. We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence in athletics.”

 

Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell also expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments, stating, “The success of our student-athletes is a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support from our community. These achievements not only highlight their talents but also their resilience and determination. We are excited to see what the future holds for them.”

 

Seekonk High School’s athletic program remains committed to fostering a supportive environment where students can excel on and off the field. Congratulations to all our athletes for a successful year.

 

For more information about Seekonk High School athletics, please visit Seekonk High School’s website.

Seekonk High School Students Win Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Poster and Public Service Announcement Contest

by

SEEKONK — Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Seekonk High School Principal Dr. William Whalen are pleased to share that a team of Seekonk High School students co-won first place with a team of students from Newton North High School in the annual Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) Poster and Public Service Announcement Project Contest.

MPY has hosted its annual Poster and Public Service project since 2009 to engage students on important topics and provide a platform for their voices. The project is open to all high school, middle school and elementary students from MPY member districts.

This year’s PSA Project had the theme “RESPECT. Give it. Get it.” The Poster and PSA projects drew 211 entries this year and this year’s entries presented the question: “What does respect mean to you?” Submissions were centered around concepts of respecting your classmates, school & community, respecting yourself, respecting the environment, respecting opponents and officials in sports, respecting individual differences and respecting personal styles.

Two Seekonk High School students in Tony Gugliotta’s Broadcast News class, seniors Lillie Hoskins and Tessa Deal, produced their winning PSA, titled “Make Self-Respect Stick.” To view their PSA, click here.

“This recognition not only shows Seekonk’s dedication to the well-being of students in general, but it also exhibits the high-quality education that students are receiving at Seekonk High School,” said Broadcast News Teacher Tony Gugliotta. “The support of the school district’s administration, the high school staff and most importantly, the school’s students exemplifies the type of inclusive and close-knit community we have. For Seekonk’s video production program to be able to stand among the best in the state is humbling and also validates all of the hard work that the students and staff continue to put forth.”

A panel of judges selected the two co-winners, which included school administrators, visual arts and technology professionals, community members, and MPY staff. Both winning teams will have their PSAs appear on WCAT in Wakefield.

The Seekonk High School team consisted of student directors Hoskins and Deal with support from Addison Abreu, Zoe DiPippo, Abhi Patel, Katie Eklund, Kailyn Gridley-Craig, Alexcya Barber, Robert Gordon, Nathan High and Keira Fecteau.

The Seekonk High School students completed the PSA in class in two weeks, and storyboarded the idea with the rest of the class. After brainstorming and writing the script, the students secured places to shoot the video, which was shot in one class period.

“It was so important for us to work on something like this,” said senior and co-producer Hoskins. “To be recognized means so much, and I feel grateful to have been able to work on something so meaningful.”

Added senior and co-producer Deal, “This recognition means everything to me. I can’t believe my hard work was shown off to the state, especially since it will benefit people to be kind to themselves!”

###

A still from Seekonk High School seniors Lillie Hoskins and Tessa Deal’s winning PSA, “Make Self-Respect Stick.” (Photo courtesy Seekonk Public Schools)

Seekonk High School Announces Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

by

SEEKONK – Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Principal Dr. William Whalen are pleased to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Seekonk High School Class of 2024.

The valedictorian of the graduating class is Mackenzie Carlsten, and the salutatorian is Olivia Gasior.

Mackenzie Carlsten

Mackenzie Carlsten highly values her education at Seekonk High School. She has dedicated these four years to high academic achievement and increasing involvement in extracurricular activities. Mackenzie holds several leadership roles, such as being the president of  Model UN and Spanish Club, treasurer of the Key Club and captain of the cross country team.

Mackenzie is also a member of the Student Council Executive Board, National Honors Society and indoor and outdoor track teams. Her unyielding commitment to academics is reflected in her many accolades, including the 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Award, Francis W. Gallishaw, Jr. Memorial Award for Academic Excellence and Brown University Book Award.

Mackenzie has shown her creativity by acting as a host for the SHS Winter Concert and Afternoon with the Arts, which are school-wide assemblies in the auditorium where students showcase their talents. As a host, Mackenzie introduced the performers and acted out skits with her co-host.

Outside of school, Mackenzie organizes and runs an annual environmental cleanup at her local hiking trails every spring. Additionally, she practices her leadership skills as the CEO of her own babysitting business. Next year, Mackenzie plans to study biology on the premedical track at the University of Virginia.

Olivia Gasior

Olivia Gasior is a driven student at Seekonk High School, both academically and in extracurriculars. She challenges herself in her academics and proves to be successful in many areas of study, with a broad range of interests.

Olivia has balanced her rigorous course load with active involvement in several of Seekonk High School’s clubs, including Science Club, Book Club, Math League, Key Club and Yearbook, where she serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief. She has had the opportunity to compete with her school in many academic events, including National Science Bowl, Physics Olympics, and Math League competitions. In her leadership positions and involvement with the school, she is passionate and always puts in the work to see the success of her own projects and those of others around her.

With over 100 hours of community service accumulated, Olivia sees engaging and connecting with others as a significant accomplishment. Her proudest accomplishment in community service is her engagement as a camp counselor at Seekonk’s summer camp.

During her time at SHS, she received the Medal Award from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), recognizing her achievements in mathematics and science. She plans to continue her education at RPI to further pursue scientific study.

“It fills me with great pride and joy to see students achieve their goals and excel academically. We wish them all the best on their continued journey,” said Kidwell.

Superintendent Kidwell and Principal Whalen also wish to recognize the entire Top 10 graduating students of Seekonk’s High School class of 2024:

  • Mackenzie Carlsten – University of Virginia – Valedictorian
  • Olivia Gasior – RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) – Salutatorian
  • Megan Capello – College of William and Mary
  • Sara Santoro – Hofstra University
  • Alyssa Clegg – UCONN
  • Kylie Charron – UMASS Amherst
  • Kristen Nguyen – MCPHS
  • Madison Ohlgren – UMASS Amherst
  • Vedika Patel – UCONN
  • Laura Giuseffi – Bridgewater State University

###

Seekonk High School Announces Caitlin Pereira as New Girls Varsity Basketball and Volleyball Coach

by

Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Principal William Whalen are pleased to announce that Seekonk High School Physical Education teacher Caitlin Pereira has been selected as the new girls varsity basketball and volleyball coach.

Pereira accepted her new role as the girls varsity basketball coach on Friday, Sept. 22. She also accepted the role of girls varsity volleyball coach this past May.

Coach Pereira, a 2006 Seekonk High School graduate and long-time Seekonk resident, has spent the past 14 years teaching physical education and 13 years coaching junior varsity volleyball in the district. She previously coached the Seekonk High School girls junior varsity basketball team in 2010.

Prior to being appointed as the varsity basketball coach, Pereira was heavily involved in the Seekonk basketball community. She met her now-husband through the Seekonk High School basketball program when they played alongside each other in high school. In high school, her husband, Andrew, scored 1,000 points throughout his basketball career. 

Their love for basketball has stayed with them even after high school with Caitlin Pereira serving as a coach for the recreational basketball team in town and working the scoreboard for basketball games for the past 10 years. She has also served as a Seekonk Youth Basketball Board member since 2021 where she runs and oversees the development of its K-1 basketball program.

Outside of basketball and volleyball, Pereira has also coached youth and high school softball. 

She received a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College and a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. While at Springfield College, Pereira played on the basketball, softball and volleyball teams.

“Caitlin has a deep connection to the Seekonk High School community and our different athletic programs having both coached and played within them,” Principal Whalen said. “She has shown a tremendous level of commitment to supporting and growing our teams, and I look forward to watching her serve as the varsity coach for both the girls varsity basketball and volleyball teams this year. I wish her and her teams a successful season!”

###

Archives

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow us on Twitter