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Student of the Month

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Andrew Rodriguez was selected. He is a senior at Hatboro-Horsham High School and is being honored for his work in EASTERN’s Culinary Arts program.

About Andrew:

· Andrew has been immersed in the restaurant industry from a young age, with his father owning Hatfield Pizzeria on Main Street in Hatfield, where the entire family plays a role in the business. "When I learned about the Culinary Arts program at EASTERN and realized I could pursue my passion during school hours, I knew I had to enroll," Andrew shared.

· He actively volunteers at various EASTERN events, including the Joint Operating Committee annual dinner, Open House, and Career Expo, where prospective 10th-grade students from multiple districts come to explore programs.

· As a member of SkillsUSA, EASTERN’s student leadership organization, he chose to participate in the “Front of the House” competition to challenge himself in an area where he feels less confident and to broaden his skill set.

· Andrew finds deep inspiration and motivation in working alongside his family, crediting these experiences with keeping him grounded and instilling in him a strong sense of purpose. Watching his parents’ unwavering dedication and work ethic drives him to strive for excellence and embody the same commitment in his own life and career.

 · After graduating from EASTERN and Hatboro-Horsham High School, Andrew plans to either take a gap year to save money or pursue his culinary education at Montgomery County Community College, Penn College of Technology, or Johnson & Wales University.

Andrew’s accomplishments:

·  As a junior, he was honored with two awards at EASTERN’s May Awards Night: the Straight A Award and the Alumni Tool of the Trade Award.

· Through the Culinary Arts program, he earned his ServSafe certification, a nationally recognized credential in the food service industry that demonstrates his knowledge of essential food safety practices.

· "Andrew draws on his real-world work experience to inspire and motivate his classmates," said Chef Ben Vozzo, EASTERN’s Culinary Arts Instructor. "He consistently maintains a positive attitude and goes out of his way to support others."

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Kenneth Lawyer was selected. He is a senior at Abington Senior High School and is being honored for his work in EASTERN’s Protective Services program.

About Kenneth:

Kenneth selected Protective Services at EASTERN because it aligns with his commitment to giving back to the local community. “When I visited Protective Services, it felt like home,” said Kenneth.  “I already knew Mr. Raggi from his involvement with the Boy Scouts and with the fire company.  I was interested in learning more about my rights as a citizen, and getting training and certifications now that I will need on the field.”

At EASTERN, Kenneth is recognized as a leader within his program. He has actively contributed to a range of school and after-school initiatives that have made a lasting impact on the school community. His involvement includes key events such as the Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser, Open House, and the Tenth Grade Career Expo, where he represented his EASTERN program at Abington Senior High School to prospective students. Additionally, he volunteered to help at the recent Craft Fair fundraiser.

Before joining EASTERN, Kenneth was a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, an active volunteer for the Roslyn Fire Company, and a member of St. Luke’s Faith in Action Youth Club.  Through Boy Scout Troop 304, based at St. Luke the Evangelist in Glenside, Kenneth actively volunteers at their National Youth Leadership Training program tailored for 13- to 17-year-olds.

“Kenneth is laser-focused on his future and committed to giving back to his community,” said Mr. Michael Raggi, EASTERN’s Protective Services Instructor. “He is always the first to volunteer for school events and to lend a helping hand to his classmates. I am incredibly proud of all his achievements.”

After graduating from EASTERN and Abington Senior High School, Kenneth plans to pursue a degree in Fire Science at Bucks County Community College (BCCC), building on credits he has already earned through the articulation agreement between EASTERN and BCCC. His goal is to become a Fire Investigator, focusing on opportunities in Abington or the surrounding area.

Kenneth’s accomplishments:

Engaging in several high adventure trips through the Boy Scouts, Kenneth was selected to participate in the St. George Trek, a challenging 90-mile hike in New Mexico, which he completed last summer. This honor is particularly significant as only two Boy Scouts in the Philadelphia region were selected.

For Kenneth's Eagle Scout project, he dedicated 278 hours to planning, fundraising, and executing his project. His goal was to clean up and install a sign at a park, transforming an acre of land into a space for the city to use as outdoor classrooms for local youth.

He has received many industry-standard certifications, such as Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, Incident Safety, Active Shooter Training, CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed Training, First Aid, and Fire Fighter 1.

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Angelina Tang was selected. She is a senior at Upper Dublin High School and is being honored for her work in EASTERN’s Culinary Arts program.

About Angelina:

Angelina believes the culinary field is her true calling. During the 10th grade at Upper Dublin, she attended EASTERN's Career Expo and discovered that the Culinary Arts program was the perfect fit for her. The program has allowed her to combine her passion for food with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, helping her gain confidence and come out of her shell.

Through her Culinary Arts program, she received the ServSafe Food Handler, an industry-standard certification.

She has actively volunteered to support the Culinary Arts instructors with numerous after-school events and recruitment activities, including the annual Joint Operating Committee dinner, the Kiwanis Club of Old York Road Holiday Breakfast, the Career Expo, and the Open House.

Outside of school, Angelina works at Bredenbeck’s Bakery as a Pastry Decorator.

“Angelina is an outstanding student with a true passion for the field,” said Chef Ben Vozzo, EASTERN Culinary Arts Instructor. “Her achievements reflect her talent, drive, and her commitment to excellence in everything she pursues.”

Angelina is setting her sights on Johnson & Wales University, where she plans to specialize in Baking and Pastry Arts. With her passion for culinary excellence, she aims to gain hands-on industry experience and master her craft. In the long term, Angelina aspires to share her knowledge and inspire future chefs by becoming a Culinary Arts instructor, blending her love for food with a commitment to shaping the next generation of culinary professionals.

Angelina’s accomplishments:

At EASTERN, Angelina is extremely involved with SkillsUSA, EASTERN’s student leadership organization, and was elected School-Wide Secretary.

Angelina was selected to represent the student voice for EASTERN’s Executive Advisory Committee and the Partnership/Perception Committee.

As a junior in the Culinary Arts program, Angelina received the Culinary Arts Alumni Tool of the Trade, Director's, and the Straight A Awards at EASTERN’s Awards Night.

 

 

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Nicholas Choitz was selected.  He is a senior at Cheltenham High School and is being honored for his work in EASTERN’s Protective Services program. 

About Nicholas:

Early in high school, Nicholas began exploring potential career paths and decided to learn more about the police force. He contacted his local police department and was invited to visit the station for a firsthand look. The experience was eye-opening and inspired him to enroll in EASTERN’s Protective Services program for his junior and senior years.

He actively fosters positive relationships with his classmates and steps in to mediate when conflicts arise. What he values most about the program is its family-like atmosphere and the mutual understanding among his peers, as they are all career-focused and passionate about being part of the program.

Outside of school, Nicholas enjoys volunteering at places such as a local soup kitchen. He is also a Lead Counselor at Future Stars Day Camp where he works with campers ages 6 – 13 in various classroom and outdoor activities.

“Nicholas exudes a positive attitude and a warm, welcoming presence that sets him apart,” said Michael Raggi, EASTERN’s Protective Services Instructor. “These qualities will not only foster strong connections with others but will also serve as invaluable assets throughout his career.”

Through his experiences in Protective Services, he has decided to become an EMT right out of high school and is considering his options to join the Second Alarmers and Police Academy. 

Nicholas’s accomplishments:

Through his program, he receives several industry-standard certifications that will help him stand out in the workforce, such as Hazardous Materials Awareness, CPR, First Aid, AED, Active Shooter Awareness, ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 240, 241, Firefighter 1 Completer Certification through Bucks County Public Safety, and EMT completed through Second Alarmers.

He currently serves as the PM President for EASTERN’s student leadership organization, SkillsUSA.

At EASTERN, Nicholas serves as a leader in his Protective Services class, having been elected class Lieutenant.

As a junior in the Protective Services program, Nicholas received the Protective Services Achievement Award-Police and the Straight A Awards at EASTERN’s Awards Night.

 

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Xavier Watson-Greene was selected.  He is a senior at Abington Senior High School and is being honored for his work in EASTERN’s Protective Services program. 

About Xavier:

Xavier's father, stepmother, uncle, and grandfather all serve as Philadelphia First Responders, instilling in him a deep understanding of the importance of helping others from a young age. At 14, Xavier joined the Roslyn Fire Company's Explorer program, designed for individuals interested in firefighting at an early age.

Over a year ago, Xavier became an official Volunteer Firefighter with the Roslyn Fire Company.  One of Xavier’s favorite aspects of being a volunteer firefighter is being there for people at their worst moments.

With his outgoing and engaging personality, he was chosen to speak to the tenth-grade class at Abington Senior High School during EASTERN’s Career Expo presentation.

 Xavier has attained his Fire Fighter 1 certification through EASTERN's partnership with Bucks County Community College

“Xavier comes from a long line of individuals who are dedicated to helping others,” said Mr. Michael Raggi, EASTERN’s Protective Services Instructor. “He strives to be a role model in the class and a positive influence on his classmates. His upbeat personality and confidence will take him far in his career.”

Following graduation from Abington Senior High School and EASTERN, Xavier plans to join the Philadelphia Fire Academy. He also plans to become an EMT and attain his Firefighter 2 certification.

Xavier’s accomplishments:

Shortly after joining the class, Xavier was identified as a potential leader, prompting his instructor, Mr. Michael Raggi, to select him to attend the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Leadership Conference in the Poconos.

As a junior, Xavier was selected by his peers to be the class Sergeant, which is a rank of honor and leadership in the class.

At EASTERN’s May 2024 Awards Night, Xavier was awarded the prestigious Director’s Award, recognizing his great potential for future leadership.  Xavier was one of only five students who received this award, out of the 19 outstanding students interviewed.