Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 23, 2026 Christmas Bazaar S anta! The Grinch! Baked goods! White Elephant bargains! Terrific raffles! Vendors! All of this and more will be part of the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church Hall (59 Nichols St. in Chelsea). Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa or the Grinch, buy a chance to win one of the beautiful raffles or baskets — including tickets to North Shore Music Theatre’s “A ChristMCGONAGLE | FROM PAGE 1 School Department Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Sioban Araya, carpentry instructor Eric Pierce and teacher Ben Schad. (Advocate photo by Neil Zolot) CAREER | FROM PAGE 1 trade with industry recognized credentials so when students leave High School, they have the option to go right to work.” Areas of study include carpentry, culinary arts, health systems and other health-related fields, marketing and multimedia broadcasting. Students and teachers from the carpentry program briefed the School Committee on how it works at their meeting on Monday, October 19. Senior Samuel Varahona, 18, was initially interested in mechanics, but found his way to carpentry through the application process and with advice from instructor and his homeroom teacher Ben Schad. “I enjoy it very much,” he said. “Four-year college isn’t for everyone and it’s a debt obligation,” Schad said. “CTE gives students exposure to something they can use.” He also feels knowledge of the trades will help them as consumers. Junior Elaina Reaney, 16, was familiar with and invested in carpentry because her grandfather was in the field. “I was excited to be in carpentry,” she said. She’s looking to be a residential carpenter working on interiors, similar to what her father Robert does part-time. “College isn’t for everyone,” he said. “Having a skill is good and it’s something she enjoys.” Reaney is one of the few girls in carpentry or other trades classes, and she and the school system are trying to make girls at least aware of the programs through visits to 8th grades and attending Massachusetts Girls in Trades conferences, one of which occurred last November, with another one scheduled November 12. There is also the possibility of forming a Trades Club for Middle School students “for them to get comfortable with all this before High School,” in Reaney’s words. “The earlier we expose this to them, the earlier we expose them to options,” carpentry instructor Eric Pierce agreed. “The trades are trying to open their jobs to women. These jobs are for everyone.” Superintendent William Hart said an as yet undetermined form of CTE or information about it will be incorporated into 7th and 8th grades when their classes are transferred to the old High School after its renovation. He also said CTE classes would be part of the curriculum at a new High School. “I want kids to have options,” he said. “We need people in the trades. It’s a skill set that allows young people to go right into the workforce and get sustainable wages. CTE can provide training for that.” Other High School students not in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) classes can learn about the programs through a rotating series of introductory classes. There was also a Jobs in the Trades and Architecture/Engineering/Construction Career Fair on October 1 at the High School. Pierce and Schad came to the High School with the required experience in their fields. “Every instructor in CTE has to have field experience,” Araya explained. She graduated from Everett High in 2011, when there was no CTE. She added that trades classes also help students with math because they involve math. Schad lives in Winthrop and also had teaching experience at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School in Danvers. “This is a great landing spot,” he said of Everett. “I love being here.” Pierce lives in Medford but spent his first three years living in Everett. “I learned carpentry through a family business and in a part-time job,” he remembers. “It got me thinking about my High School which didn’t have CTE. Sharing my knowledge with young people who want to enter the field is a great use of my time.” “CTE provides opportunities for education and jobs for students right out of High School,” added Principal John Braga. “There’s a gap in the job market our students can fill.” ects in the City,” said McGonagle. “These are developments that make Everett a more desirable place to live and work; making our community even more vibrant. I’m thankful for my partnership with the City, especially Mayor Van Campen and Conservation Agent Tom Philbin who champion these projects. I’m also grateful for Speaker Mariano, House Ways and Means Chairman Michlewitz and Economic Development Chair Fiola for crafting this INVESTMENT | FROM PAGE 5 full or unavailable in their communities,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These grants will help us change that by creating more seats, modernizing learning spaces and supporting partnerships that bring hands-on STEM learning and career training to more students. The collaboration between Fitchburg Public Schools and Monty Tech is a great example of how schools can work together to expand access and create new pathways to college and careers.” The investment builds on Governor Healey’s efforts to expand access to career and technical education and create more pathways for students to college and careers. The administration previously announced $70 million to expand career and technical education at 28 schools across mas Carol” show — try different foods or homemade baked goods, pick up some delightful unique holiday gifts, check out the tempting White Elephant bargains and enjoy the music and festive atmosphere! Blessed Mother of the Morning Star Parish invites all to join us in this Fifth Annual Christmas Bazaar to welcome the Holiday Season! Free admission and free parking in lot across the street! For more information, please call 781-284-5252. important legislation.” The bill is titled “An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth.” It makes targeted updates across dozens of state programs to improve efficiency, encourage investment, reduce barriers to economic development and better prepare Massachusetts for emerging industries and workforce needs. On July 30, 2026, a conference committee was appointed to reconcile the differences between the House’s and Senate’s versions of the bill. Massachusetts, creating up to 2,500 additional seats for students. Together with the new CTE Annex Pilot Program grants, these investments are helping schools increase training capacity, modernize facilities, and expand access to hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries. “As we celebrate STEM Week and lift careers in STEM-related fields, we’re excited to be able to offer more students access to career and technical education programs,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “CTE programs, whether in CTE schools or more traditional high schools, are great preparation for in-demand fields such as manufacturing, health care and information technology.”
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