Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

February 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mayor Salutes Whittier Voke Students Who Raised Funds for Fire Victims

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini met Friday in his office with representatives from the SkillsUSA Massachusetts program at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. Together with members of the Whittier Vo-Tech ‘Peer-to-Peer’ program, these students and Haverhill residents raised charitable donations of $300 from among their classmates to donate to the victims of December’s Emerson Street fire. This fire left many without housing or belongings.

City Councilor and Whittier Voke Faculty Member James Donahue, Jr. and Whittier SkillsUSA Advisor Leanne Tremlett joined students in meeting the Mayor, who thanked the efforts of these students.

“The devastating Emerson Street blaze left some victims with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” noted the Mayor. “I applaud these Whittier students and school administrators for raising these funds dollar by dollar and being a shining example to the community. The victims will put these funds to good use,” added the Mayor.

l-r: City Councilor and Whittier Faculty Member James Donahue, Jr., Whittier SkillsUSA Advisor Leanne Tremlett, students Tiek Johnson, Tyler Page, Marie Elmidor and Mayor James J. Fiorentini at presentation of student-raised donation to the Emerson Street Fire Victims fund.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts is a state association of SkillsUSA, a national organization serving more than 275,000 high school and college students who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.

SkillsUSA prepares America’s high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.