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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Page 11 Meet the 2021-2022 EHS Crimson Tide Varsity Hockey Cheerleaders Shown in the back row from left to right are Sophia Clarke (9th), Nyla Hagbourne (12th grade), Aline Silva (11th grade), Livia Thomaz (12th grade), Olivia Parziale (12th grade), Mae Kelley (9th grade), Kirtsy Hall (10th grade), Woodjanna Tondreau (10th grade) and Rebecca Hickey-Schultz (10th grade). Shown in the front row from left to right are Isadora DeMiranda (12th grade), Alyssa Parziale (10th grade), Jaqueline Velasco (12th grade), Julia Dos Santos (12th grade), Lillyan Nguyen – Captain (12th grade), Nyla-Nhi Nguyen (11th grade), Mia Olivia (9th grade), Jane Ebay (11th grade) and Emma Longmore (10th grade). (Photo Courtesy of Holly Garcia) 2021 | FROM PAGE 10 to be a fire station located behind the hotel where Matewsky was staying in Fort Lauderdale. “That fire department was there in two minutes,” he said. “They saved my life.” Matewsky was able to call 911; however, when paramedics arrived his heart had stopped and a defibrillator was needed to revive him. Matewsky was then rushed to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale and put on a ventilator. “I guess, for two weeks, I was in an induced coma – from what they tell me,” he said. The response from Everett was immediate. Although Matewsky remained unconscious, he had frequent visits from former State Representative Stephen Smith, former Councillor Nicholas Saia and Councillor-at-Large Michael Marchese, who was at the hospital almost every day. “Mike Marchese is something else,” said Matewsky. In the weeks that followed, Matewsky underwent successful heart surgery, emerged from the coma and was greeted by yet another visitor. “I woke up one morning and there was Anthony DiPierro,” he said. Matewsky said that during his recovery he received more than 400 cards as well as countless floral arrangements, fruit baskets and gifts. “They thought I was some kind of celebrity in Fort Lauderdale,” he said. After one month at the Florida hospital, Matewsky flew back to Boston and was admitted to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital before finally returning home to Everett. “I’ve never been sick like this before,” he said. “I’m lucky to be alive.” The council voted unanimously to support the Statement of Interest (SOI) from the Everett Public Schools for the construction of a new high school. Charles Obremski, assistant superintendent of operations, reminded the council of the ongoing problem of overcrowding at Everett High School. “In the year 2023-2024, we expect almost 2,400 students to be in that building,” he said, adding that the current building was designed to accommodate 1,800 students. Obremski said he and his colleagues seriously considered using the former Pope John XXIII High School. However, he said that building would only accommodate 800 students. “It wouldn’t be big enough for a high school,” he said. In addition, Obremski said reopening the former Everett High School would not be feasible as the increased traffic volume would cause absolute gridlock on Broadway, which is already congested. Although DeMaria recently called attention to the site formerly occupied by General Electric, Obremski said nothing is set in stone. “There is no site picked at this time,” he said. “There’s no money on the table; the money will come later. The whole process is about a fiveto six-year process.” Given the projected growth of the student population, Obremski said, the new school would have to accommodate up to 2,700 students. He also reiterated that overcrowding is a districtwide problem. “Most of our libraries right now, because of overcrowding, are not used as libraries,” he said. “We’re actually using them as classrooms.” In addition, he said closets are even being used as “temporary small learning environments.” “It’s not the best situation, but under the current circumstances, it’s the best we could do,” said Obremski. In terms of a total cost, Obremski said the rough estimate for a new high school could range between $350 million and $400 million. Greystar breaks ground for mixed-use development on Boston Street Representatives from Greystar Real Estate Partners were joined by city and state officials to celebrate the groundbreaking at 85 Boston St., which will be home to two six-story, mixed-use buildings. “My vision for the city is much different from my predecessors,’” DeMaria said during the June 23 ceremony. “The Greystar Development project is going to transform the Commercial Triangle Economic Development District. Through this mixed-use residential development, Greystar will make best use of the land. We are grateful for the city’s partnership with Greystar and look forward to the dynamic neighborhood that will be created.” The first of the two buildings, known as The Mason, is slated to be completed by 2023. The building will feature 330 apartments, 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and parking for 400 vehicles. The second building will increase the number of apartments to 650 with 33 affordable units. In addition, the front of the first building facing Vale Street will feature a raised bike lane, a public bike share station, new sidewalks and landscaping. Other amenities will include a courtyard, a pool, grilling stations, a fitness center and a dog park. “Vale Street will be the new Main Street of this community,” said Alfred Wojciechowski, a principal with CBT Architects. “The city has been a terrific partner at all stages of this project and The Mason will greatly contribute to the transformation of the surrounding industrial neighborhood into a walkable, welcoming district with vibrant retail and outdoor spaces,” said Gary Kerr, managing director for Greystar. DiDomenico said Greystar has a meticulous process of selecting a site for development. “They don’t just come into a community and start building things; they want to make sure it’s a sure bet,” he said. “This is an exciting time for Everett’s reputation around the state.” McGonagle said he has watched Everett “grow and evolve” over the years, adding that The Mason is another step in the right direction. “It will foster relationships between neighbors – the sky’s the limit for Everett,” he said. JULY Delta variant targeting those without COVID vaccine With the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant, doctors at area hospitals suggested that this strain of the virus could attack anyone who has not been vaccinated – and it would do so with ease. Delta was a staggering 225 percent more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus and the other variants that have surfaced. “It is almost exclusively infecting unvaccinated individuals,” said Dr. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha of Cambridge Health Alliance. “This variant has demonstrated improved fitness and is expected to increase.” Although there have been 2021 | SEE PAGE 12

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