For Immediate Release

Friday, June 15, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Rockland Schools Induct Three into Academic Hall of Fame

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron is pleased to announce that three Rockland High School alumni were inducted into the Rockland High School Academic Hall of Fame last week.

On Wednesday, June 6, the three Rockland graduates were honored at the Underclassmen Academic Awards Ceremony held in the high school auditorium.

The inductees were Catherine Hicks Worthington, Class of 1981, Lucia Shannon, Class of 1969 and John Najarian, Class of 1960.

Each were accomplished students at Rockland High School and, after receiving their diplomas, went on to earn college degrees and have had highly successful careers that include service to their respective communities.

“These alumni are shining examples of the type of education and life lessons that are taught here at Rockland Public Schools,” Superintendent Cron said. “The students who attended the event were able to see first-hand what hard work and dedication can accomplish in their years after high school.”

Worthington, who now lives in Brunswick, Maine, is a successful textile maker, artist and teacher. In high school she was also an accomplished artist and in her senior year,  she won the prestigious Gold Key Award for one of her drawings in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards art show. After high school, Worthington attended UMass Dartmouth where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in textile design in 1985.

After moving to Maine in 1988, Worthington worked at Spindleworks, in Brunswick, as an arts program mentor for adults with disabilities. She now has her own studio where she paints and sews her unique textile quilts.

In her acceptance speech, Worthington credited several of her former teachers for helping her to push beyond her shyness and to follow her passion. She also encouraged student award winners in the audience to follow their passions when deciding on their futures.

Lucia Shannon’s life since graduating as the “most scholarly” in her class at Rockland High School has been devoted to service to others. As Head of Adult Services for the Brockton Public Library for 42 years, she worked tirelessly to foster literacy, promote diversity and to help build a sense of community. She retired from her position last year.

Shannon graduated from Mount Holyoke College, cum laude in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in art history. She promptly earned her Masters of Library Science in August 1974.

In her acceptance remarks, Shannon thanked many of her former teachers in the Rockland Public School system who influenced her love for the arts and literacy. She encouraged students to take advantage of what she called the prep school-like education provided at Rockland High School, which prepared her very well to succeed.

John Najarian was an accomplished athlete at Rockland High School in the late 50s before graduating in 1960. In 1965, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in civil engineering from Northeastern University. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity. In 1968, John earned an Advanced Study Degree in business administration at Northeastern University.

In his professional career, Najarian worked for Metcalf and Eddy Engineering in Boston and Wakefield from 1965-2002. As a project manager he designed large wastewater plants throughout the country. He was also the lead civil engineer on Deer Island for 10 years.

John is now involved in many community activities and recently acted as a project manager overseeing the construction for two local Habitat for Humanity homes.

In speaking to the students in attendance at the ceremony, he said that they must be prepared for challenges in life after high school where they may not be the smartest person in the class or on the job. He said that he succeeded through perseverance and hard work. His advice to “wait until after college to go to parties,” was met with laughter from the students.

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