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There's nothing like participating in sports, no matter what the level, to help make one grow as a person. A shy person can learn how to be more outgoing and personable, and someone who doesn't like being in the limelight realizes that athletics can bring one a sort of fame.

Vanessa Francois, a recent graduate of Lynn Classical, overcame shyness through her participation in athletics as a member of the Rams girls soccer and track squads throughout her high school years. She will be honored on July 8 as one of 16 Agganis Scholars (one of two recipients of the Michael Agganis Scholarship) for success on both the athletic field and, more importantly, in the classroom.

"I was just so excited when I received the news that I won (the scholarship), said Francois, who will be headed to Boston College in September. "I got the letter saying that I won, and I was very surprised and happy."

Francois played all four years on the soccer field, playing both defender and fullback, while running the 1,000 during the winter and 800 in the spring. "Sports was basically how hard you tried, and if you try really well, you can always do your best," Francois said. "My times (in track) improved over the years, and I was disciplined and put in the work. I loved playing soccer, and loved the team, and thought we all worked hard together. It's a sport I've been playing since I was younger."

One fact that she's most proud of is her success in the classroom. "I did pretty well, making Honor Roll a few times, and the Principal's List, which is all A's for a quarter, once," Francois said. "I might major in mathematics at Boston College, and it's sort of my worst subject. During my senior year, I took AP calculus, and I had gotten B's. I wanted an A so bad (in that subject), and I finally got one."

Of course, having your time consumed by athletics can make it difficult to study and to do your homework, but Francois managed to make valuable use of her time. "Sports taught me how to push myself, and how to improve overall as a student," Francois said. "It also taught me how to better manage my time. You might have a night game, and so you have to find the time to do your homework. I had to work harder to get my schoolwork done, but I had more time for athletics as a result."

As she did last summer, Francois will be working as an Assistant Leader at Girls Inc. in Lynn. "It's with girls from sixth through eighth grades, and it's a role (that of an Assistant Leader) that I embraced," Francois said. "It also helped me be more outgoing, as I've always been shy."

As for her future goals, that's still up in the air. "I don't know what I want to be," she said. "I want to see what I like (at BC), and just take it from there."

Since its inception in 1955, upon the untimely death of Harry Agganis, the foundation in his name has awarded $1,187,525 in scholarships to 780 student-athletes.

LYNN - The Lynn Police Relief Association (LPRA) recently awarded this year's memorial scholarship recipients, during a ceremony held in the Lynn Police Department's Community Room. This scholarship is presented in memory of all Lynn Police Officers who dedicated their lives to serving the City of Lynn.

Each year, a senior from all four Lynn high schools is chosen to receive a $1,500 scholarship. The students have been accepted into a college or university criminal justice program. They were recommended for this award by their schools, for demonstrating such traits as good character, leadership, service, citizenship and strong academic performance.

From left to right, LPRA President Sgt. Rick Carrow, LPRA Secretary Officer Larry Wentzell, St. Mary’s graduate Kyle Beddia, English High graduate Samantha Boudreau, Classical High graduate Allison Donovan, Lynn Tech graduate Juana Ines Paulino, LPRA Treasurer Sgt. Ned Shinnick and LPRA Executive Board Officer Mike Eddows.

William Giarla, a 1971 graduate of Classical High School who was inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame last month, died Monday from complications due to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Mr. Giarla had been living in Pennsylvania with his wife, Joanne, and two children, Katie and Kenny. He was unable to attend the induction ceremony at Nahant Country Club last month, but his sister, Betty MacIssac of Lynn, accepted the award on his behalf, and according to Dan Dill, a member of the Classical Hall of Fame committee, she went to Pennsylvania the following week to present him with the plaque, the citations and a video of the ceremony.

"He was a gentleman. A first-class individual all the way," Dill said. "No one knew he would go this quick."

Dill, who was a teammate of Mr. Giarla's at Classical, said his friend epitomized the term student-athlete. Mr. Giarla was captain of the basketball team, and he played quarterback and defensive back in football. He won the Harry Agganis Award for football his senior year.

After leaving Classical, Mr. Giarla went to Harvard, graduating in 1975. He continued his education at Duke University Law School and, according to Dill, became a very successful corporate attorney.

Mr. Giarla grew up in Nahant, one of eight children of Bob and Dorothy Giarla. He and six of his siblings attended Classical, where they established the Giarla family scholarship. Mr. Giarla had also served as the executive director of the Martha Fund, a non-profit organization that raises money for local playgrounds in the Pittsburgh area. It was established in memory of his sister-in-law, an FBI agent killed in the line of duty 11 years ago.

Salvy Migliaccio, another teammate of Mr. Giarla's at Classical who was also inducted into the Hall of Fame last month, said he friend was "a leader and an inspiring individual" who was always just a regular guy, too.

"We're certainly going to miss him," Migliaccio said.

Story and pjotos Courtesy of Columbia Insurance Agency, 31 Central Square, Lynn

Background: James was born and raised in Lynn. The youngest of four children and the son of Kuong and Siv Khun, James attended Cobbet, Fecteau-Leary, and presently Lynn Classical High School.

College(s) looking to attend: James has been accepted to several colleges, including: Dartmouth College, Brown, Gordon, and Bowdoin. He has decided to attend Dartmouth College next year and plans to major in government.

Interests: Tennis, history, politics, church, ultimate Frisbee, and community service.

Awards and Recognitions: National Honor Society, Northeastern Conference Student-Athlete All-Star Team, Bowdoin College Book Award

I’m going to attend Dartmouth College next year. Although I’m not certain what I want to become, I’m thinking about pursuing a career in law or politics; so I plan on attending law school after Dartmouth. Later in my life, I’d also like to attend seminary part-time and study theology.

Not only has Lynn Classical given me an opportunity to excel in academics, but it has taught me social skills and the importance of community service as well as good work ethics. The Classical community and faculty really appreciate someone who works hard, and having good work ethics will certainly benefit me in the future.

This may be cliché, but Lynn is unlike any other city, especially with its history and diversity. I’ve become familiar with several different cultures while living in Lynn, and the ability to adapt to differences is a key quality in life.

(4) How can today’s high school students help make Lynn a great place to live?

I already feel that Lynn is a great place to live. It has so much to offer its residents: Lynn woods, a historic downtown area, a beach, several parks, a great public school system, and diversity. All high school students (and Lynn residents) have to do is to take pride in it. But if they really want to make Lynn a great place to live, I suggest volunteering. It’s really self-satisfying and can improve the community as well as make a difference to someone else’s life.

LYNN - The future faces of government from high schools throughout the city participated in student government day at city hall Tuesday.

Shadowing City Councilors, the students learned the ins-and-outs of lawmaking and actions tucked away behind the scenes.
English High School Senior Erica Gunderman, who was learning the ropes from Ward Three City Councilor Darren Cyr, said she has participated in student government since her sophomore year in high school.
“I learned how politics work in the community today and how they work in the real world, not just in textbooks,” she said. “People can make a difference in the community.”
Gunderman said she plans to attend Boston College in the fall and major in Business, while still keeping an eye on the world of politics.
“My grandmother Mary used to work at the courthouse (Lynn District Court) and she took me on a tour when I was younger,” she said. “So it’s great to have gotten a look at both the court and city hall.”Cyr, who chose Gunderman as his apprentice for the day, said he knows her family and “watched her grow up over the years.”
“I’m thrilled and honored to have picked her, she’s a really nice, real sweet girl,” he said. “This process really opens the kid’s eyes the process of city government and to things that they are going to have to face if they go into politics. After all, they are the future of our country.”

A mock version of a City Council meeting was held in the chambers, which included a back and forth banter between the students over various issues ranging from dress codes to pet parks.
Acting as Council President, Katherine Lang, a senior at Lynn English High School and soon to be freshman at Suffolk University, called the meeting to order with a smile and a swift whack of the gavel.Giggles echoing throughout the auditorium, combined with uneasiness from the 11 students in their new positions, provided a lighthearted air to the meeting.
The students passed all but three of the motions with debates over the issues.

Classical High School senior Vinny Gonzalez, who plans to major in Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University in the fall, said he is also pondering the possibility of entering the field of politics.
“My great grandfather was the president of Bolivia and I would like to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “My dad has also been very outspoken about politics at home.”
Gonzalez said he was the president of his class when he was a freshman and has been involved in student government his entire high school career.
Shadowing Ward Seven City Councilor Richard Ford, Gonzalez said he learned about the “complex process of politics” and ways in which laws can be passed.

Following the meeting, Council President Timothy Phelan congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
“You have all done a great job here tonight,” he said. “There are a lot of quality colleges that you are all going to go to and I wish you the best of luck.”

These four students represented Lynn Classical at the Massachusetts Student-Athlete Citizenship Awards Ceremony at Blackmun Auditorium on the Campus of Northeastern University. The four seniors: Savanna Clemens, Jill Magner, Greg Clapp, and Matt Church were honored for their demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, and citizenship.

LYNN - Gaining valuable life skills, helpful tips for success and having some fun along the way has become the mission of Girls Incorporated of Lynn.

Showcasing talented girls each year involved within the program, this year's 2007 girl hero will be honored at the organization's 19th annual celebration luncheon being held today at the Danversport Yacht Club.

This year's recipient, Kamaya Ray, a senior at Lynn Classical High School will be honored for her hard work and dedication with the organization.

Urged to join the group by one of her friends who was a member, Ray said she quickly grew fond of the program.

"I started right after I finished my freshman year in high school and I have learned so many things since then," she said. "I had no idea what went on at Girls Inc. in the beginning or what people did there, but I am really happy that I joined."

Ray said through her involvement with the Career Path program at Girls Inc., she gained valuable skills for filling out college applications, interviewing with schools and other tips for getting ahead.

"My friend that got me to join was always so ecstatic about her job at Girls Inc. and that is what got me interested," she said. "I went two times before I decided to apply and I have gotten about two or three of my friends to join since then."

By learning "basic life skills" such as balancing a checkbook, dressing for a professional interview and proper etiquette for an interview, Ray said she feels prepared to handle some of life's difficult situations.

"They have just taught me so much stuff including public speaking skills," she said. "Even things such as prioritizing things to do and how to act during an interview have really helped me."

In addition, Ray said she was also involved with the La Verdad substance abuse prevention program last year.

While Ray said she has been accepted at Salem State University, she is still waiting to hear back from Howard University before she makes a final decision.

"I'm really excited to see what happens and I am still waiting for the results," she said.
The national nonprofit organization inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold through educational and inspirational programs.
An advocate for girls throughout the Lynn community, Girls Inc. helps to develop girls' capacity to overcome the effects of discrimination and to become self-sufficient members of society.
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LYNN -- The 30-second shot clock wasn't operational during Friday night's first annual Shoe City Basketball Scholarship Game, at English High's Cavanagh Field House.

Like they would have needed one, anyway.

Behind Most Valuable Player Roberto Vellon, of Classical, the East rallied from an 11-point deficit in the last 10 minutes to win the boys game, 104-97, while Tonisha Tate paced the West in a 51-46 victory in the girls game.

Tate, who missed most of Classical's season due to injury, led all scorers in the girls game with 11 points, and added nine rebounds.

"It got pretty intense toward the end," said Tate, a senior who will attend Community College of Rhode Island in the fall. "It was great to get out here in a game with so many great players after I broke my foot during the season."

Tech's Tony Gallo led all scorers in the boys game with 27 points for the West and was a virtual cinch for MVP until Vellon torched the nets for 13 of his team-high 24 points during the East's second-half comeback.

"Yeah, I was kind of down-and-out for a while, but I came out in the second half looking to shoot the ball more," said Vellon, who is "looking at" Northern Essex but is still officially undecided about his college plans.

With the win, the East boys team will play the Harlem Rockets in an exhibition game at English on Tuesday, April 17 (7 p.m.). The Rockets are led by Kevin "Showboat" Jackson, "the King of Comedy Basketball," and 7-2 center Ricky "Rim Rocker Lopes."

The high score in the boys game didn't mean there was a lack of defense. While half-court zones were outlawed, both teams used a trap occasionally, and there was even a 10-second violation at one point.

The pace of the game was so frenetic that shots were flying almost as soon as teams brought the ball past half-court. The 40-minute game was also a bit longer than the two 16-minute halves in a regulation high-school game.

There were some interesting matchups, since the squads -- featuring high-school talent from Lynn along with one eighth-grader from the public schools on each team -- were divided with no school allegiances. That meant Vellon ended up guarding Classical teammate Vince Spence (10 points) most of the time while they were both on the floor.

"He and I play each other in practice all the time, so we're used to it," Vellon said. "We always have a good battle."

There were also some interesting alliances, like a dream backcourt of Gallo and St. Mary's guard Tyler Grillo, who scored nine points. For a few minutes in the second half, Gallo, Grillo, Spence and English's Bryan Bingham (10 points) were on the floor together for the West, along with Pickering Middle School eighth-grader Carlo Buono. Despite his lofty surroundings, Buono had enough confidence to hoist three shots, and he looks very much like a player who will be heard from in the future.

Representing the West, Travonne Berry-Rogers of Ford Middle School left an impression, particularly with a steal and a nice give-and-go with Gallo that led to a layup.

With Gallo firing away, the West twice opened leads of 10 points, and was up by six, 58-52, at halftime. The West's lead in the second half peaked at 83-74 before English's Jairo Valdez led a 14-0 run that gave the East the lead for the first time in the second half.

Vellon took over at that point, connecting on three 3-pointers the rest of the way to keep his team in the lead. He put in the dagger with a bomb from the right wing with 1:36 left in the game.

"I didn't really feel comfortable with my shot until I went to the foul line a couple of times in the second half," Vellon said. "Once I made a couple of free throws, I started looking for shots (from the floor) a little more."

English freshman Ryan Woumn and St. Mary's guard Allan Ray each had 12 points, while Valdez chipped in with 10, for the East. Jorell Berberena of Classical had 12 for the West, while English's Winston Bennett added 10.

The girls game was close until Kerri Domohowski of St. Mary's and Tate led the West on a 9-2 run that made the score 42-33, with about six minutes left in the second half.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by English's Trinity Neubert and Classical's Christina McKenzie pulled the East back to within two points, 48-46, with 1:02 to play. Bryanna Connolly of Classical made a free throw with 12.3 seconds left for the West, which then thwarted any chance at a last-second shot by the East by forcing a turnover that led to a hoop by Tate.

Classical's Shardaye Berry led the East with nine points, while Neubert, McKenzie and English's Jeannette Anderson added eight apiece.

Tech's Katrina Freeman had nine points, while Domohowski and Caitlyn Townsend of St. Mary's added eight each for the West.

The event was organized by English girls coach Fred Hogan and Simmie Anderson. The proceeds go toward scholarships, which were awarded to one basketball player from each of the four Lynn schools -- Domohowski from St. Mary's, English's Renay Hamilton, Spence from Classical, and Gallo from Tech.

There was also a raffle for a pair of mounted and autographed sneakers that former Tech standout Antonio Anderson wore when he made the winning free throws for the University of Memphis in its win on March 22 in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Div. 1 tournament.

The Shoe City Awards banquet was held Thursday night at St. Michael's Hall. Four scholarships were awarded with the amount contingent upon the outcome of Friday night's games.

Kerri Domohowski of St. Mary's and Tony Gallo, Lynn Tech, took home Student-Athlete awards and Vince Spence, Classical, and Renay Hamilton, English, were named Players of the Year.

The other winners were Junior Martinez and Keila Brown, Best Floor General; Jarell Byrd and Jenicia Duggins, Freshman of the Year; Allen Ray and Christina McKenzie, Top Pure Shooter of the Year; Jeffrey Brito and Jeanette Anderson, Rebounder of the Year; Eric Brown and Shardaye Berry, Blue Collar Award; Junior Martinez/Tony Gallo and Renay Hamilton/Jenicia Duggins, Best Back Court Tandem; Jairo Valdez and Shena Mitchell, Best Clutch Player; Vince Spence and Jeanette Anderson, Top Forward of the Year; and Sted Bourdeau and Bryanna Connolly, Defensive Player of the Year.

UPDATE - - - Gerry Anne Jean won the Richelieu Club's French oratorical contest on Saturday, March 25th, 2007. She won an earlier round a few weeks ago, making her the North of Boston chapter's representative in the New England finals. Gerry Anne's speech was touching and very well written. Beat of all, her presentation was flawless. She created a stir in the room even before the judges returned with their results. This is an exceptional honor for her.

On Monday, March 5, 2007, the Richelieu Club of the North Shore held its 10th annual French Oratorical Contest, in which a student from Lynn Classical, Masconomet Regional, Bishop Fenwick, and Ipswich High Schools each sent a student to compete. GerryAnne Jean, a junior from Lynn Classical, won the competition. The topic was a French speaking place, not including Paris, that the student would like to visit. GerryAnne's winning speech detailed the Citadelle in Haiti that her ancestors had helped to build to protect the newly freed Haiti from invasions.

Due to her first place win, GerryAnne will next compete in New Hampshire in the New England Regional stage of the contest against 8-10 other winning students.

The Richelieu Club is an international organization which promotes the speaking of French as well as donating to needy groups. The North Shore chapter meets on the first Monday of the month for dinner and conversation in French at the Hawthorn Hotel in Salem.

Congratulations GerryAnne on a fabulous job and good luck in the next level of competition!

Classical Basketball Captain Tonisha Tate to Attend CCRI

Reprinted from the Lynn Journal

Sometimes unexpected events alter your plans for the future.
When Lynn Classical basketball captain Tonisha Tate suffered a season-ending, broken left foot injury in the January 6 game against Bishop Fenwick, everything in her basketball career changed.
This was going to be her breakout season, and such schools as Quinnipiac and UMass-Lowell had the Classical center on their list of potential recruits.
But the injury changed everything for Tate, and she will now alter her course, announcing that she will attend the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in Warwick, where she will play for the women’s basketball team.
Accompanied by Breed Principal James Ridley, who is one of her coaches and mentors, Tate visited CCRI on March 1 and attended the CCRI-Dean College game. Interestingly, Dean College had also been in correspondence with Tate.
“I talked with [CCRI] coach Marcus Riley and I made my decision that I was going to CCRI,” said Tate. “I hope to build on my academic and athletic record at CCRI and continue on to another school, maybe UMass-Lowell.”
Tate said it was frustrating to miss most of her senior season under first-year head coach Tom Sawyer. Many observers thought that if Tate had played the entire year, Classical would have been a 15-win team and contender in the Division 1 North sectionals. With Tate in the lineup, the Lady Vikings nearly handed Winthrop a loss, falling in overtime.
“It was very frustrating to sit out, but I tried to cheer on my team and dress in uniform for most of the games,” said Tate.
Tate hopes to return to the court in a Lynn girls all-star game later this month. She will work on her skills with coaches Marvin Avery and Jim Ridley during the summer.
Tonisha Tate thanked her high school coaches, Tom Sawyer and Gene Constantino, for their help with her basketball career. “It was a pleasure for me to have them as my coaches,” said Tate. “They were a big part of my decision to go to CCRI. I hope they’ll come watch me play basketball in college.”
Tonisha, 18, is the daughter of Paul and Teresa Carrington.

Classical senior guard Vince Spence was named the Northeastern Conference North's MVP.
Junior forward Damola Abu of Marblehead took home the honor for the south.
Spence and can finish in a four-way tie for first in the NEC North with a win over English tonight.
Abu has backboned Marblehead to the NEC South title.
The Northeastern Conference will play the Cape Ann League in the annual intra-league all-star game Friday at Salem.
Other top awards went to Paul Moran, Swampscott, NEC North Coach of the year and Wayne Hanscom, Marblehead, NEC South Coach of the Year.

Danvers won the Team Sportsmanship Award for the North and Marblehead received the honor in the South.
The North all star team includes senior guard Tim Calabrese, Danvers; Spence, Classical; senior guard Roberto Vellon, Classical; senior guard Jairo Valdez, English; senior center Bryan Bingham, English; senior guard Chris Hanson, Salem; senior center Nick Linear, Salem; senior guard Louis Martinez, Salem; junior forward John Beaulieu, Swampscott; senior gaurd Brendan Garner, Swampscott, and senior guard Sean Nimkar, Swampscott.

The South all star team features junior freshman Matt Tobin, Beverly; senior guard Seth Stantial, Beverly; sopohomore guard Nate Knudson; senior guard Chris Fleming, Gloucester; junior forward Damola Abu, Marblehead; senir guard Jess Burton, Marblehead; senior forward Chris Flint, Revere; junior forward Dan Internicola, Saugus; senior forward Jason Griffin, Winthrop; junior forward Jonathan Murdock and senior guard Vasili Mallios, Winthrop.

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Teacher and Role Model - Karen Hogan

Epilepsy hasn't prevented Karen Hogan from pursuing her dreams in swimming
Karen Hogan remembers sitting at her desk in her eighth grade year at the Fecteau-Leary School and feeling unsteady and disoriented. Her teacher acted immediately, sending her to the nurse’s office.
“All the teachers came down to the office and were really worried about me because they had never seen me act like that before,” said Hogan.
Though Patricia Hogan is a nurse, she initially didn’t recognize her daughter Karen’s symptoms.
“It was a confusing time that first time it happened,” said Patricia Hogan. “I knew that there was something different, and Karen just wasn’t being herself.”
Hogan took her daughter to the doctor for an EEG, a test that monitors brain waves. “The results were positive and showed that she was having seizure activity,” said Hogan. “She had one other episode where she was hospitalized and doctors readjusted her medication. She’s done pretty well since then.”
Doctors diagnosed Karen Hogan’s acondition as Juvenile Absence Epilepsy (JAE), a form of epilepsy that usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 17.
Now an 18-year-old freshman at Salem State, Karen Hogan still takes medication twice daily for her condition.
“I’m proud of the way she has handled her condition,” said Patricia Hogan. “She’s handled it really well. She’s a really outgoing kid and has a lot of friends.”
Karen, whose father, John, was a Classical swimming star and currently coaches at Lynn Tech, hasn’t let her medical condition affect her participation in athletics. She began her high school swimming career at Classical as freshman. One of her teammates was her sister, Katie, who became a Rams’ swim captain and the Lynn Swimmer of the Year. Katie is a now a sophomore dean’s list student at Salem State, where she competes on the club team with her sister.

“Katie’s a great role model for me,” said Karen. “We’re only 15 months apart in age and we were always together growing up. She’s someone I can look up to if I ever need help in anything. She’s always there. I’m also fortunate in that my parents have always been there to support me.”
One alteration from Karen’s swimming career was that she wouldn’t be able to compete in diving events that had been a specialty.
“The doctor enforced it that she not compete in diving,” said Patricia Hogan. “That was really hard for her because she had been diving for quite some time. She’s never had a grand mal seizure, but there was always a risk.”
At Classical, Karen Hogan competed in the 100-meter butterfly, the 200-meter individual medley, and relay events. She received the Peter Sawin Unsung Hero Award during her career. Hogan also competed in soccer and was a captain of the track team.
“I haven’t let my juvenile epilepsy limit me,” said Karen. “I’ve always been an active person who participates in sports. I hope my story can inspire others who face medical challenges.”
This winter, Hogan has returned to the Classical swim program as a volunteer coach on Denise Silva’s staff. Hogan’s younger sister, Krista, is a freshman on the Classical team, carrying on the family’s tradition of excellence in the program.
“I’m here a lot helping out the team and I’ve been working with Krista on her turns in the pool,” said Karen. “I like offering my input and helping the younger swimmers.”
Denise Silva said she is happy to have Karen Hogan assisting in her program.
“Karen is a wonderful asset to our team this year,” said Silva. “She’s helping us in the water and at meets. She’s showing our athletes that if you battle tough and work hard, you can work through it all. You never would have known about her condition except it kept her off the diving board for her own safety.”
The outlook is bright for Karen Hogan. She hasn’t experienced a seizure for the past four years, and the family is hopeful about her future.
“We’re hoping that she will grow out of the condition,” said Patricia Hogan. “She was diagnosed when she was 13. I hoped that in high school she would have outgrown this, but her testing is still coming up positive for seizure activity.”
Karen Hogan is enjoying her freshman year at Salem State, where she is majoring in education.
“I want to be an elementary school teacher,” said Karen. “I work well with young children. I’m a lifeguard for Lynn Parks and Recreation in their Sunday program and I was a lifeguard at Revere Beach last summer. I want to help children reach for their dreams.”

Rich Dellazoppa earns Berth in Shriners All-Star Classic

Lynn Classical senior Rich Dellazoppa has been selected to play in the Shriners Football Classic to be played in June at Bentley College in Waltham.
The game features the top graduating players in eastern Massachusetts. The Shriners Game and the Harry Agganis All-Star Classic are considered the two most prestigious all-star football games in the area.
Dellazoppa said at the Lynn Classical football breakup banquet Monday night at Prince Restaurant that he is honored to represent the Rams program in the Shriners Classic.
“I feel great about it, but it’s an award for the whole team,” said Dellazoppa. “I couldn’t have done anything without my offensive and defensive lines and the whole team. The coaching staff has been like a family to me. They took me under their wing when I was a freshman and showed what great people there are in this program.”
Dellazoppa, a captain who started at running back and safety, rushed for 820 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He received the Harry Agganis Team MVP Award and was named to the Lynn Item, Northeastern Conference, and Eastern Mass. all-star teams. He also plays varsity hockey and lacrosse.
Dellazoppa thanked his parents and his family for their support. “My parents [Rick and Jean Dellazoppa] have been so supportive of me, along with my brothers, Chris and Joe, and my sister, Jessica. They’ve been there to take care of me when I hurt my shoulders this year. I love my family. This whole thing is about family.”
Classical coach Matt Durgin congratulated Dellazoppa on earning a berth in the Shriners Classic.
“It’s a great honor and well deserved,” said Durgin. “He did a great job all year for us on both sides of the ball. He was one of the top players in the league, and he’s carrying on the tradition of Classical players participating in the Shriners game.”
Dellazoppa joins recent Classical alumni such as Jeff Watson, James Ridley, Joe Ford, Joe Freeman, Tim Phelps, Eric McGrath, Gerardo Pejuste, and Anthony Seaforth who have played in the Shriners Classic.

Congratulations to Monique Lee

Monique Lee, former Lynn Classical basketball star, scored her 1,000th career point for the Quinnipiac University women’s basketball team last Saturday. This is tremendous accomplishment and, we believe, historic for a female basketball player from Lynn.
Lee is the first Lynn female basketball player to reach this milestone in a Division 1 program.
Lee is a positive, personable, articulate young woman who has set a great example by her achievement.
Her former coach and now vice principal at Lynn Classical, Gene Constantino, and one of her mentors, Breed Principal Jim Ridley, were present when Lee scored her 1, 000th point.
It was Mr. Ridley’s daughter, Helen, who opened the door to the rising Quinnipiac basketball program, becoming a captain at the Connecticut university.
We congratulate Monique Lee, her former coaches at Lynn Classical, and her family, on this wonderful accomplishment as an athlete.

Total Success : Paul Hearns, LCHS Class of 1996, Named Semi-Pro All-American Football Player Reprinted from the Lynn Journal, 1/10/07

Lynn resident Paul Cedric Hearns II played four seasons of football at Lynn Classical High School under head coach Dave Dempsey. He was a two-year captain and a Northeastern Conference All-Star and participated in the Harry Agganis All-Star Football Classic upon his graduation in 1996.
Hearns continued his career at Mount Ida College where he was a starting offensive lineman in the program’s first year of existence. He later earned a spot on the Bridgewater State College team.
The son of Roxanne Berry and the late Paul Hearns Sr., Hearns has been a semi-professional football player for five seasons. And this past season, Hearns, a towering 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pound lineman for the Boston Bandits of the New England Football League, earned the league’s highest honor: All-American. Hearns led the Bandits to a 10-2 record and a Super Bowl championship.
“It was my first championship ever in any level of athletics,” said Hearns, who formerly played for the Bay State Thunder in the NEFL.
Hearns, 28, who owns a home in Lynn, has to juggle his football career with his employment. He works full time as a business operations team leader in the Radiology Department at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. He also works part time at Starbucks on Route 1 in Saugus.
“It’s busy but I love football – it’s my second life,” said Hearns. “I really like playing the game. The NEFL is very competitive.”
Has he told friends that he’s now an official football All-American?
“I’ve kept it pretty quiet,” said the handsome gridiron great. “I told my family but that’s about it. I’m really honored that people thought I played well this season. But the most important honor was winning the league championship.”
Hearns remembers his days at Classical well. “Dave Dempsey was the head coach and Matt Durgin was my line coach for my first three seasons,” said Hearns. “Dave Dempsey was the best coach I ever had. He was like a father figure to me and probably to a lot of other kids on the team.”
Lynn sports may be seeing another Hearns on the gridiron down the road. He has a son, Craig, 2, and a daughter, Sydney, 6. “He has big hands and he’s quick,” said Hearns. “He’s going to be an athlete. I think when he’s ready to play Pop Warner, I’d like to coach him.”
And maybe one day, he’ll be an All-American just like his dad.