Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 Sachems girls’ tennis co-captain slated to be selected MVP T By Tara Vocino he Saugus Girls’ Tennis Girls’ Tennis Sachems lost to Marblehead High School Magicians on Monday at the former Belmonte Middle School, although one of the captains had a heroic win. Co-Captain Lanna Queiroz had a heroic score at the #1 singles position: 6-2. 6-1. “Once we have a meeting at the end of the season, the coaches will discuss the Northeastern Conference Most Valuable PlayKneeling from left to right are Alex Couseillant, Sami Sarnacchiaro, Wiktoria Biegun, Cadence Callahan, Lily Comeau, Diane Jubeili, Paige Prezioso. Standing from left to right: Head Coach Kristen Gerety, Gia Saunders, Rachel Rivas, Rayaan Jubeili, Ashleigh Moore, Morgan Belyea, Amelia Pappagallo, Madi Riera and Lanna Queiroz. Not pictured: Madison Casaletto. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Shown from left to right are Captain Lanna Queiroz, Head Coach Kristen Gerety, and Captain Paige Prezioso. Queiroz is in the running to become the Most Valuable Player in the Northeastern Conference. er,” Head Coach Kristen Gerety said. “However, with [Monday’s] win, it secures her as one of the top players in the conference.” Life after Covid-19 Graduation was a joyful affair for a Saugus High student who nearly lost his dad to the deadly Coronavirus last year By Mark E. Vogler N icholas Austin DiVola looked mighty dapper as he walked around Stackpole Field last Friday night, sporting a red bowtie and a happy face as he enjoyed the moment with fellow members of the Saugus High School Class of 2021. But most important of all to DiVola was that his dad – Robert – was alive and well to enjoy the occasion. Last spring, those plans could have been spoiled in a tragic way when Robert nearly lost his life to COVID-19. “It’s really great to be here,” Robert said after the commencement exercises conMEETING | FROM PAGE 5 the School Department budget next year because of her sound fiscal skills. Precinct 3 Town Meeting cluded. Nicholas invited his dad and his mother, Lauri, to join him in a newspaper photo together. “It was very tough there for a while,” Lauri said. “It was very tough for us all. Things are a lot better for us now,” she said. Nicholas’s 17th birthday back in April of last year was emotionally draining for him and the rest of the family. “My dad seemed like he had a coma-like sickness and he wasn’t getting better,” Nicholas said in an interview after his dad wound up in the hospital and needed a ventilator to fight for his life against the killer Coronavirus. “He wound up in ICU for a Member Christopher P. Riley said town officials need to take a closer look at employee health insurance. “We can’t afford $15.5 million for health insurance,” Riley said, calling it “a week after that and we haven’t seen him for about two weeks,” he said. Nicholas, his mother and brother, Joe, were quarantined in their house after Robert was diagnosed with and treated for COVID-19. A group of friends and town officials came to the family’s assistance – both emotionally and financially. A noisy convoy of about 100 trucks and cars, blaring their horns and displaying signs wishing him a happy 17th birthday, rolled past the family SUV where he sat with his mother and brother. The surprise birthday procession included several vehicles from spending problem” that goes back decades. “What used to be a benefit to the town is now a cost to the town,” Riley said. He noted that the town is spending more on Gerety said it’s huge for her since she is a senior and has been playing number one on the team since eighth grade. Queiroz will be a walk-on for the Melrose Department of Publics Works. They came to show support for their coworker, Robert DiVola, who remained in the hospital. Lauri DiVola was visibly moved by the display of support showered on her husband, son and family during the drive-by parade last year. “This is awesome. It’s unbelievable. We feel all the love from this whole procession,” Lauri said as she sat in the driver’s seat of the SUV, which was parked across Evergreen Street, a short distance from her home. “I t ’s really overwhelming how much people care. They’ve dropped food off at our house. We truly feel the love. It’s really beautiful,” she said in an interview at the time. The DiVola family also received strong financial support on a GoFundMe page health insurance benefits than the Police and Fire Department budgets combined. DiVirgilio expressed cynicism as to whether Town Meeting would ever broach the isthe tennis team at Coastal Carolina University. Co-Captain Paige Prezioso, also a senior and Queiroz’s best friend, will attend Stonehill College. A GRATEFUL GRADUATE: Nicholas Austin DiVola counts his blessings for his dad’s recovery last year from the Coronavirus after he was in the hospital on a ventilator. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) that was organized by Sarah Marsella and Kerri Streeter. It raised more than $44,000. sue of paring down employee benefits so it is more affordable to the town. “There will be no cuts when there are town employee members in Town Meeting,” DiVirgilio said.
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