Malden Vol. 30, No. 24 The Advocate - A household word in Malden for 30 Years! ADVOCATE -FREE- www.advocatenews.net MHS Class of 2021 one of top academic classes in city history More than 80 percent going to college; others moving on to military or volunteer gap year programs; grads earned academic scholarships to Princeton, Bucknell, Union & other top schools Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, June 18, 2021 Malden Summer Festivals celebrate a return to normal By Steve Freker T he Malden High School (MHS) graduating Class of 2021 has earned high praise from many quarters for many reasons, particularly the overall character, strength and resiliency they have shown in staying the course and meeting the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Malden Public Schools Superintendent John Oteri, Malden Mayor and School Committee Chairperson Gary Christenson and MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo have all singled out this class as a special one on a number of occasions, including at the June 6 graduation exercises. One key and all-important level of achievement that is particularly of note is in academics. According to Supt. Oteri, Malden High School Class of 2021’s 402 members deserve high praise as one of the top academic classes in city of Malden history. Near the top of the list is that just over 80 percent of the Class of 2021 is This stilt walker charmed the audience for the June 12 festival. M alden’s series of outdoor Summer Festivals continue on Saturday, June 26 when Malden Center is once again transformed into an open-air street fair and stage area featuring live music, gaming challenges, specialty food markets, artists stations and cultural performances. Summer Festivals organizer Kevin Duffy from the Mayor’s continuing their education at either a four-year university or college, or at the junior college level, a high-water mark of which city leaders are quite proud, one of the highest percentages ever. A number of seniors earned millions of dollars in academic scholarships, including a QuestBridge program scholarship, which is a full, four-year award covering tuition, fees and room and board at Ivy League icon school Princeton University. Three other seniors earned PosMHS CLASS | SEE PAGE 21 Office said, “These festivals have a little bit of fun for everyone. Whether it be live music, great food, a 10-minute escape room challenge, an opportunity to play Giant Jenga or a Giant Connect Four game, Malden Center is the place to be between 12 noon and 6 p.m. every other Saturday throughout the months of June, July and August.” The series of Summer Festivals, which is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, the Malden Redevelopment Authority and the Malden Chamber of Commerce, is the result of the City of Malden taking part in the Local Rapid Recovery Plan Program where cities are required to deFESTIVALS | SEE PAGE 7 Beebe School celebrates new accessible playground Mayor Gary Christenson (center) was on hand to cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new accessible playground at the Beebe School. (Photo Courtesy of the City of Malden) A new playground has opened at the Beebe School – offering a myriad of play opportunities for children of all abilities. Mayor Gary Christenson, Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan, Ward 3 School Committee Member Jennifer Spadafora, architect Skyler Chick of Shadley Associates, and Malden RePLAYGROUND | SEE PAGE 26
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