Winchendon Weekly News -- January 19, 2023
From the Desk of Dr. Goguen - Superintendant's Update January 5, 2023
Watch the January 12, 2024 Student-Produced Blue Devil Weekly!
Murdock Middle School Offers Band, Choir and Guitar Club
Band, Choir or Guitar Club is now available for all middle school students!
Band: Monday/Thursday
Choir: Tuesday/Friday
Guitar Club: Wednesday
For more information, contact: Mr. Freitag, Middle School Music Teacher at: kfreitag@winchendonk12.org
Ruth Cheffers Named to Fall 2023 U/Dallas Honor Roll
IRVING, TX (01/22/2024)-- Ruth Cheffers of Winchendon, MA, was named to the University of Dallas fall 2023 honor roll for earning a semester GPA of 3.0-3.49. Cheffers is a Senior English major.
Undergraduate students at the University of Dallas must complete two years of fundamental coursework in the humanities, sciences, politics, mathematics and fine arts. Students must also complete coursework in Ancient Greek, French, German, Italian, Latin or Spanish.
About the University
The University of Dallas is the premier Catholic liberal arts university in the country, known for its rigorous undergraduate Core Curriculum and robust graduate and professional programs in business, ministry, education and the humanities. With campuses in Texas and Italy, UD stands apart as a thriving community of lifelong learners committed to an education that forms students intellectually, socially and spiritually for a life well-lived. For more information, visit udallas.edu.
American International College Students Named to Fall 2023 Dean's List
SPRINGFIELD, MA (01/23/2024)-- American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, is pleased to announce that 451 students have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2023 semester. Dean's List students attend full-time and have achieved a 3.3 to 4.0 GPA. AIC commends the efforts and accomplishments of these diligent and hard-working students.
Cole Patterson of Winchendon, MA, majoring in Criminal Justice, was named to the Dean's List.
Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.
Kikelomo Tetteh Named to Elms College's fall 2023 Dean's List
CHICOPEE, MA (01/24/2024)-- Kikelomo Tetteh, of Winchendon, was named to the College of Our Lady of the Elms fall 2023 Dean's List.
Tetteh was among 482 students named to the fall 2023 Dean's List.
To qualify, a full-time student must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher, without incompletes.
Elms College is a coed Catholic college offering a liberal arts curriculum that prepares students holistically for a purposeful life in a diverse and interconnected world. Founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Elms College has a tradition of educating reflective, principled and creative learners, who are rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, responsive to civic and social obligations, and capable of adjusting to change without compromising principle.
Mount Fitness Launches New Programs
Instructor Danielle Riach leads a group class at Mount Fitness.
Photo courtesy of Nina Cargnan
GARDNER, MA - January 19, 2024 - The fitness center at Mount Wachusett Community College, Mount Fitness, announced a significant change in the group exercise programs which are offered to members.
"People who started working out at home during COVID are coming back," states Group Exercise Manager Karin Cormier. "Many of our members expressed that working out at home was lonely and didn't feel as effective as working out with us."
"Our group exercise program was starving for change," adds Mount Fitness Director Jason Snoonian. "The excitement of switching to Les Mills has created a vibe and energy that the program had been missing. Karin and all of our instructors have worked extremely hard to make this happen and we're all very excited about what the future will bring."
Mount Fitness has partnered with one of the largest fitness program developers, Les Mills, with six new programs including spinning, free weights, yoga, and dance. The twelve Mount Fitness instructors participated in an intense two-day training program to earn certification as Les Mills Instructors.
Instructor Mel Wittmier says, "The Best of Sh'Bam is a dance party around the world and I am beyond excited to launch this program with the members and their free guests on January 24th. Let's dance, sweat, and de-stress with memorable moves to awesome beats!"
"Les mills programming is such a motivating and fun way to move your body," adds Instructor Victoria Donarumo. "I'm so excited to show the new releases this upcoming launch, and to teach with some passionate and strong instructors alongside me!"
The Les Mills programs are offered at over 20,000 fitness centers worldwide. Mount Fitness is the only center offering Les Mills programs in Gardner and offers the most program options in the area.
Mount Fitness will begin launching the Les Mills programs starting on January 24, and the public is welcome to try a class for free. Schedules are available at fitness.mwcc.edu.
MWCC Honors Six Newest Paramedics in Pinning Ceremony
GARDNER, MA - January 22, 2024 - Mount Wachusett Community College celebrated the achievements of Paramedic Class 5 with a traditional pinning ceremony on January 12, 2024, at the college's Gardner campus.
Along with family and friends, the graduates were congratulated by Paramedic Program Chair Peter Laitinen, Assistant Dean of Health Professions Lisa Stejskal, Medical Director Dr. Daniel Wilson, Clinical Coordinator and Professor John Bresnahan, adjunct faculty, and lab assistants.
Guest speaker and MWCC alumnus was Col. General George W. Horsley, the State Surgeon General for the Massachusetts Army National Guard. General Horsley holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) through the University of Lynchburg.
Included among the graduates is Sergeant Bryan Young, MWCC's first US Army Veteran student to utilize the Medic to Paramedic program. The Medic to Paramedic program gives Army Combat Medic, Army National Guard, referred to as 68 Whiskey, credit for their military training and experience, speeding their completion of the Paramedic program.
"This program gives our medics the opportunity to excel in the civilian world and bring their skills to their neighborhoods," Col. Horsley told the graduates. "I have been a soldier for 36 years, and in medicine 33 of those 36 years, both of those are callings, not careers. It is a calling that brings you to this place. You don't get here by accident; you have undertaken a grueling schedule of instruction. It's about bettering yourselves, but more than that, it's about being able to be more useful to your patients."
The seven members of Class 5 are Michaela Casey of Worcester, Matthew Hansson of Paxton, Felicia Patenaude of Lunenburg, Kenneth Payano of Worcester, Carly Sell of Ashburnham, Conner Wilbur of Ayer, and Bryan Young of Tewksbury.
MWCC Dental Hygiene Students Offer Free Cleanings at Burbank Clinic
GARDNER, MA - January 23, 2024 - The Mount Wachusett Community College dental hygiene students are providing free dental care to individuals and families at the Dental Hygiene Clinic located at the Community Health Connections Family Health Center in Fitchburg (Burbank Hill).
Patients treated in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art clinic can receive comprehensive oral assessment, dental cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, deep cleaning, and dental x-rays. Services are free for those without dental insurance, individuals with insurance are billed for hygiene procedures, and any costs not covered by the insurance are free.
"Dental health services are a basic need that too many people cannot afford," states Jenna Guzman, President of the Dental Hygiene Club. "Access to dental services not only benefits physical health, but it also gives patients an increased sense of self-esteem."
Appointments are available during the spring semester Mondays through Fridays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, excluding holidays and semester breaks. Interested individuals and families can contact the clinic at 978-630-9413 or visit mwcc.edu/dentalvisit to make an appointment.