Solar Panel Ribbon Cutting Spring, 2023

After months of planning, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Gloucester High School on May 24, 2023 to acknowledge the solar panel installation by CVTE students, a culmination of Electrical Instructor Bob Devlin’s vision. Devlin collaborated with Tim Sanborn of Cazeault Solar & Home, the Building Center, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Department of public works, office of the mayor of the City of Gloucester the Gloucester City Council and other generous community donors to complete the installation of 14 solar panels on the side of the GHS. The solar panels were installed by CVTE students in the electrical and carpentry programs, with assistance from the automotive and advanced manufacturing departments. The Gloucester Education Foundation helped finance $22,000 of the project, according to Emily Siegel, GEF Executive Director. In addition to providing supplemental power to the automotive shop, the panels can be angled so that GHS science and engineering departments can experiment and track the best angle to provide the ideal energy output for the solar array. Ted Costa, GEF board member and deputy director of community outreach for state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, presented a citation from the state to Devlin, Sanborn and GHS CVTE Coordinator Brenda Waslick. Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga commented on the team effort on the project, “we wouldn’t get anywhere in our public schools without the support of a team like we have before us and these solar panels are something that our students will learn about the technology that is today but also the future and shows the city’s continued commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

On Thursday, May 11, 2023 Gloucester High School vocational students who showed a committment to the trades were given safety footwear, emphasizing the importance of safety in the workplace. When working with a population that includes many at-risk students, prioritizing safety can be challenging. The students in the Career & Vocational Technical Education programs at Gloucester High School (Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Carpentry & Electrical) are grateful to have participated in the BRUNT boot giveaway program. Thank you to BRUNT Workwear and crew for your generosity in providing our students with quality work boots, elevating safety within our programs.  Later that evening, CVTE students (outstanding, most improved) were celebrated at the CVTE Showcase. Justin Lark, Carpentry; Samuel Rodriguez, Advanced Manufacturing; Vicki Mickels, Automotive and Kara Whitney, Electrical, narrated their accomplishments in their respective shops with a professional portfolio presentation.