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 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.
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 Kendra Hern was selected. She is a senior at Lower Moreland High School and is being honored for her work in EASTERN’s Protective Services program.
About Kendra:
· Kendra has always had a passion for law enforcement but wasn’t sure which area to pursue. After attending an EASTERN presentation at her high school and touring the Protective Services classroom, she knew it was the perfect place to explore career options in the field and acquire valuable skills.
· Her experiences at EASTERN have solidified her goal of becoming a State Trooper with the Search and Rescue K9 Division.
· At EASTERN, Kendra actively volunteers for events to promote her program. She speaks with tenth graders at Lower Moreland High School during EASTERN’s Career Expo presentation and helps showcase the equipment used in her program during EASTERN’s Open House.
· Outside of school, Kendra channels her energy and creativity into her job as a Barista at Maggio’s in Huntingdon Valley.
· She is also participating in the Second Alarmer’s Association and Rescue Squad EMT Course, which she will proudly complete in October.
· Kendra has several important plans for her future. She is currently deciding which military branch she would like to join after graduation. Following her military service, she plans to attend college to study criminology. Kendra aims to join the State Police Academy, starting in Highway Patrol and eventually moving up to become a State Trooper.
Kendra’s accomplishments:
· As a junior, her instructor selected her to attend the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Leadership Conference in the Poconos, an experience she credits with helping her come out of her shell.
· Also, as a junior, Kendra competed locally in the SkillsUSA Action Skills competition, where she showcased her ability to put on her firefighter suit and apparatus quickly and correctly.
· "I am incredibly proud of Kendra and her accomplishments this year," said Mr. Michael Raggi, EASTERN Protective Services Instructor. "She is professional, consistently helpful, and deeply dedicated to her career path. I look forward to seeing what she will achieve in her senior year."