Gov. Maura Healey, right, with Julian Hynes, Ja'liyah Santiago and Adniley Velez whose essay on inspiration was chosen as the winner of the student essay contest.
BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey will hang an empty gold frame in her office so young people can envision themselves there one day and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, a portrait of former Gov. Jane Swift.
The unveiling on Wednesday was the result of a statewide student essay competition in which Bay State students were asked to decide whose portraits should be featured in the new administration's offices.
The student winners and their families were present for the event in the Governor's Ceremonial Office on Wednesday.
The gold frame in Healey's ceremonial office was proposed in a collaborative essay submitted by Julian Hynes, an 11th-grader at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, and Ja'liyah Santiago and Adniley Velez, 8th-graders at Holyoke Community Charter School, titled "Inspiring Change and Dangerous Hope: Unequal Representation in the Commonwealth."
"Our proposal is to break from tradition, to hang nothing but an empty frame to remind you that there will be large groups of people that remain underrepresented, voiceless, and invisible," wrote the students. "Look forward not back for your inspiration. Look at the young, the poor, the people of color, and the ones who need the most help. Look at the empty frame and then around the table and ask, 'Who is not represented here?' Then, break free from the symbolic fetters that bind you and invite them."
"The State House is the People's House — and symbols matter. I was inspired by this submission from Julian, Ja'liyah and Adniley, who considered how they themselves could be the face of leadership in our state. This frame serves as a reminder of those who aren't always reflected or heard in the halls of power," said Healey. "When people come into this office, I want them to envision themselves in that frame. For me, it will remind me of the young people who are looking to our administration right now, and of our commitment to ensuring that all voices are heard."
The portrait of Swift was the choice of more than a dozen students, including Vane Jacobs, a ninth-grader from Swift's alma mater, Drury High School.
Swift, who attended the unveiling, was elected lieutenant governor in 1998 and rose to acting governor in 2001 when Gov. Paul Cellucci resigned to become U.S. ambassador to Canada. She was the first woman to serve as governor in Massachusetts history. She was instrumental in cementing Massachusetts' role as the nationwide leader in education and has continued her advocacy to strengthen our schools, in addition to transforming her family farm in Williamstown into an education and rescue center.
"Governor Healey and I have long been inspired by Governor Swift, and it was heartwarming to see so many students feel the same," said Driscoll. "She helped pave the way for us to serve as the first all-women team in Massachusetts history, and she inspired a lasting legacy of educational excellence in our state. I'm honored to hang her portrait in my office."
"We'd like to thank the more than 100 students who submitted thoughtful essays to this contest. It was certainly a hard decision to make, but we learned a lot from reading each one — and we know the students did too," said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. "We're grateful to all of the educators, administrators and family members who supported the students in submitting their essays and helped us get the word out about the contest."
Winners who wrote about former Gov. Jane Swift:
Lu-Anna Njinyah, eighth grader from Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School
Jake Stuppia, fourth-grader from Belmonte Steam Academy
Layla Keefe, first grader from Daniel B. Brunton Elementary School
Vane Jacobs, ninth grader from Drury High School
Leela Choudhury, sixth grader from F.A. Day Middle School
Joseph Pisani, 11th grader from Gateway Regional High School
Marissa Matthews, 11th grader from Hingham High School
Katie McGuinness, eighth grader from Lynnfield Middle School
Breonna Mody, seventh grader from Monomoy Regional Middle School
Emily Jamieson, fourth grader from Norman E. Day School
Bethany Luhrs, fourth grader from Norman E. Day School
Ace Madrigale, seventh grader from Plymouth Community Intermediate School
Heba Belyazid, fifth grader from Willard Elementary School Concord
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
DPAC To Perform 'Clue: On Stage'
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury Performing Arts Center, in collaboration with the North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Afterschool Program, announced performance dates for its production of "Clue: On Stage" adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price.
According to a press release:
It's a dark and stormy night, and you've been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well... dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep you guessing until the final twist!
Performances will take place on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7PM and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2PM and 7PM. All performances will take place in the Drury Performing Arts Center, 1130 South Church Street, North Adams. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Tickets will be sold at the door.
"Clue: On Stage" is directed by Liz Urban and features the creative talents of more than 40 Drury students in grades 7–12.
There are several events this weekend, including an immersive installation, live music, and book activities. See a list of upcoming bazaars, craft fairs and markets here.
click for more
The scope of the work includes demolishing the existing roof membrane, flashing insulation and protection boards on the existing flat roof, repairing and repainting the window frames and sashes, and painting and sealing all surfaces.
click for more
Community, education and business leaders are promoting the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Restoration Project as a critical component for economic development. click for more
Monument Mountain's Everett Pacheco took control of the race in the final mile and went on to a convincing Division 3 State Championship on Saturday at Fort Devens. click for more