Eight graduating seniors from Holyoke Public Schools were celebrated on Friday, May 15 during this year’s Future Teachers Signing Day. This annual ceremony celebrates HPS students who are committing to careers in education when they complete their undergraduate college studies.
The event, held at the Summit View Pavilion, brought together students, families, educators, and community members as they honored the next generation of educators—and encouraged them to return to Holyoke as teachers after earning their certifications. HPS has hosted eight Future Teachers Signing Days since 2019, honoring a combined 53 students over the years.
This year’s honorees as future educators include:
Jimary Fardonk, a senior at Dean Tech who plans to attend Holyoke Community College
Samariliz Gaston, a senior at Dean Tech who plans to attend Holyoke Community College
Isabella Laury, a senior at Dean Tech who plans to attend Elms College
Kaylie Lopez, a senior at HHS North who plans to attend UMasss Amherst
Fynn Maldonado, a senior at HHS North who plans to attend Keene State College
Ashanty Provosot, a senior at HHS North who plans to attend Assumption University
Dani Rodriguez, a senior at HHS North who plans to attend Holyoke Community College
Bella Rosado, a senior at HHS North who plans to attend Holyoke Community College
Holyoke High School North Principal Lori McKenna offered welcoming and closing remarks for the evening program. Guest speakers included Rep. Patricia Duffy, School Committee Vice Chair Devin Sheenan, and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, who previously served as a superintendent/receiver for Holyoke Public Schools from 2015-2020. Guest attendees also included representatives from Holyoke Community College, Clark University, and College of Our Lady of the Elms.
The Future Teachers program is a win-win for both graduating high school seniors of today and the future students of tomorrow, explained HPS Director of Recruitment Christie Elman. “Students who sign the Future Teachers pledge are setting a vision for the kind of careers they see for themselves after college, which in turn helps them stay focused and motivated. And for our schools to be able to hire former students as HPS educators in the future is another way we can continue to support the next generation of students through teachers who know first-hand about living and learning in Holyoke.”