Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, June 7, 2019 Saugus High School Class of 2019 It’s never too late to graduate, says 95-year-old World War II veteran By Mark E. Vogler P eter J. Decareau took some good natured ribbing as he sat in his wheelchair early Friday night waiting for Saugus High School’s 148th Commencement Exercises to begin. “Kind of old to be graduating, aren’t you?” somebody in his entourage quipped. The 95-year-old Saugus native didn’t say anything. He just cracked a smile as he anxiously anticipated the night ahead for him. Decareau, the U.S. Navy veteran who quit school 77 years ago so he could serve four years during World War II, wasn’t listed in the program among the 161 seniors who walked up to the stage to receive their diplomas at Stackpole Field. But by the end of the night, he was by far the center of attention as he drew the loudest round of applause – a standing ovation – as he crossed the stage in his wheelchair with the help of Chris Hanafin, the Burlington Veterans Services Officer. “This is really great. I thought I would never get this,” said Decareau, the older brother of Eugene Decareau, 89, a 1948 Saugus High School graduate who served in the U.S Army during the Korean War. Saugus School Committee members held a special ceremony two months ago, presenting an honorary High School diploma to Decareau before their meeting in the Roby School Administration Building. At the time, he vowed to show up at the real graduation ceremonies to receive his diploma with the Class of 2019. Decareau would have graduated with the Saugus High Class of 1943 had he not volunteered for military service. Decareau celebrated the elusive receipt of his diploma with the Boston Bruins, his favorite hockey team. Bruins President Cam Neely wrote a personal letter to Decareau, which family handed out Friday night. “It is with many congratulations that we recognize your achievement in earning your high school diploma,” Neely wrote in a letter on Bruins stationery. “We recognize your hard A PERSONAL GOAL: Peter J. Decareau, in an interview last month, said he was determined to cross the stage on graduation night to receive his honorary diploma with the Saugus High Class of 2019 (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) work and service to this country in World War II, which has led you to receive this honor. This is a great milestone in your life, and we join your family and friends in commending your dedication and perseverance in pursuing your diploma. “We would also like to thank you for your tremendous support of our team. It is fans like you that make coming to work each day truly worthwhile. Your commitment and devotion to the Boston Bruins helps keep the players on top of their game both on and off the ice. “We are truly humbled to have you as a fan of our team. We cannot think of a person more worthy of receiving this diploma. Your dedication to our organization is humbling and something we will be forever grateful for. We are thinking of you and wish you the very best going forward.” Accompanying Neely’s letter was a Boston Bruins T-shirt, noting the year 1924 – the year the Bruins were established. It was the same year that Decareau was born. Northeast Metro Tech students build automated device to cook hot dogs using electricity W AKEFIELD – Two Northeast Metro Tech Robotics and Automation students are taking the art of barbecuing to a new level. Juniors Matthew Cheffro, of Wakefield, and Kyle Paradis, of Revere, recently created a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) hot dog cooker to produce what students call “shock dogs.” The name came from the method in which they’re cooked. “It basically electrocutes them,” Cheffro explained. “Using 120 volts of alternating current,” added Paradis. The pair first started building the project – inspired by Presto’s 1970s “hot dogger” electric hot dog cooker – last year. The device works as follows: hot dogs (preferably beef, as that’s what the device is programmed to cook) are stuck on stainless steel metal prongs. With a push of a green button that is connected to a PLC, a lid closes on the device and metal prongs send electricity through the hot dog, cooking it from the inside out. Sixty-five seconds later, the dogs are done. “I’d say our dogs are better than a Fenway Frank,” Paradis said. Coding developed by Cheffro and Paradis programs the device, which also includes a number of colored buttons that alert the user that different sequences are occurring. A blinking yellow light confirms the dogs are cooking, while a blue light signals that the device is functioning properly and no fuses have blown. “It’s amazing,” Cheffro said. “I love that we can come up 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family Robotics and Automation juniors Matthew Cheffro (left) and Kyle Paradis get ready to eat hot dogs cooked in their automated hot dog maker. (Photo Courtesy of Northeast Metro Tech) with an idea and then make it happen.” The project, which the juniors completed under the guidance of instructor Brian Caven, encompasses the three main disciplines of robotics and automation: software, electrical and mechanical. “Everything that students In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today learn and create in class is similar to what they’d see in the industry,” Caven said. “Whether it’s cooking a hot dog on an electrical device or programming stop lights, these all involve the automation process. It was great to see Matt and Kyle exercise their creativity, and this is something the entire shop can enjoy.” Next year, as seniors, Cheffro and Paradis will once again work on expanding the “shock dogger,” potentially building a robotic arm that can remove the hot dogs and add toppings, along with making a touch panel that will allow them to adjust the amount of time the dogs cook for beef versus chicken.
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