508Local, 25 Elm Street, Southbridge, MA (2025)

06/24/2025

Kevin Flanders
East Brookfield Elementary School students enjoy Field Day activities.

EBES students and staff enjoy Field Day

EAST BROOKFIELD — Students and staff at East Brookfield Elementary School enjoyed a Disney theme at this year’s Field Day program.
Held on June 6, the event featured thirteen stations that celebrated the theme. These included Hercules Hero Training (obstacle course); Mickey Mouse Bounce Club (bounce house); Snow White Poison Apple Blast (water blasters); Queen of Hearts Croquet; Luigi and Guido's Tire Roll (relay race); Captain Hook's Toss (ring toss game); Inside Out Door Field Hockey; Tiana's Lily Pad Lob (throwing rubber frogs into hula hoops); Ariel's Art (magnet art activity); Elsa's Ice Cream (provided by Jerry's Ice Cream truck); Belle's Ball (Russ Kennedy DJ station); Aladdin's Carpet Ride Race (belly scooter races); and Moana's Reef Cleanse (sponge water activity):
“The weather could not have been more cooperative, with a beautiful morning for the students to participate in a variety of activities created around a Disney theme,” said EBES Principal Christine Lavin. “Russ Kennedy and his DJ company, Good Vibrations, provided the music for the event. The kids had a blast with their classmates, playing games and getting an ice cream treat from Jerry’s Ice Cream truck.”
The event was made possible by several staff members and parents who took time out of their schedules to volunteer at various stations. A few recently retired staff members also attended the event to say hello to students.
“We cannot thank all of our parent volunteers enough for helping make this such a memorable day for our students,” Lavin added. “We would also like to thank our parent group (PIE) for helping to fund some of the activities.”

06/24/2025

Courtesy
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis greets residents from the Brookfields communities during an annual senior picnic.

Area residents attend Sheriff’s Office Senior Picnic
BY KEVIN FLANDERS
STAFF WRITER
REGION — Residents from throughout the Route 9 corridor welcomed summer by attending the Senior Picnic offered by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
For more than 1,000 seniors in Worcester County, the annual picnic is a highly anticipated event that kicks off the summer season.
This year, seniors from all corners of Worcester County attended the June 7 program at SAC Park in Shrewsbury. Many guests from Spencer, the Brookfields communities, and surrounding towns drove through the park to receive a free barbeque lunch and many other giveaways.
"The Senior Picnic is one of my favorite days of the year, and we strive to provide the best experience possible for attendees," said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “In addition to the numerous treats and giveaways that we hand out, we also have over a dozen vendors on site to speak with seniors about programs, products, and services that they may benefit from."
The program is made possible by teamwork from the WCSO, the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and various vendors and sponsors.
“Sheriff Evangelidis and his team have honored Worcester County's senior citizens for over a decade,” read a statement released by the WCSO. “Each summer, more than 100 volunteers prepare barbecue boxed lunches and hand out other raffle prizes, goodie bags, Massachusetts state lottery scratch tickets, Chick-fil-A gift cards, and more. For all involved, it's a special time filled with fun and community spirit.”
This year, Janet Morin, Carolyn Boucher, Gen Cook, and Diana Perron—who live in the Brookfields communities and attend the picnic each year—enjoyed an opportunity to step out of their vehicle and take a photo with Sheriff Evangelidis. They even wore custom T-shirts celebrating the picnic.
Officials thank all volunteers who support local seniors each year at the event, helping to distribute products while also connecting guests with resources.
“It is the dedicated group of volunteers who make this event possible year after year. Despite the unfavorable weather forecast, Mother Nature granted a nice morning, which encouraged seniors to attend,” read the statement issued by the WCSO.
This year’s picnic was sponsored or supported by several community partners, including Table Talk Pies, Mercadante Funeral Home, Massachusetts State Lottery, Chick-Fil-A, Automatic Rolls of New England, JV Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Diamond Auto Group, Falcone Enterprises, NEPBA Local 550, the Savickas Family, and the Worcester Housing Authority.
Vendors at the picnic included Worcester County District Attorney Joesph Early, Central Mass Housing Alliance, Vickstrom Law Office, CareOne at Millbury, Rockland Trust Bank, The Overlook, the Worcester Red Sox, Tri-Valley, Inc., Saint Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Senior Connection, and Heart to Home Meals.
Students and staff members from Worcester Technical High School are also thanked for volunteering their time to help make the day memorable for attendees.

06/23/2025

First phase of #2 Schoolhouse renovations on schedule

BY JASON BLEAU
CORRESPONDENT

CHARLTON — Charlton is seeing progress on Phase 1 of a restoration project for the #2 Schoolhouse Building on Northside Road, a historical staple of the town dating back to the 1840s.
The current phase of the project is funded through a $50,000 Preservation Projects Fund grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission as well as additional authorized town funding in Charlton’s capital budget. Bids for the project were opened in February and work began later in the year. The town partnered with Cirrus Engineering and Crocker Architectural Sheet Metal for structural shoring, slate roof replacement and exterior repair work with the structural shoring and roof replacement well underway.
Town Administrator Andrew Golas said the renovation is progressing nicely, and will eventually lead into other planned projects as part of a full renovation of the building.
“Future project phases will look to complete the exterior paint work, repoint the foundation and additional exterior wood repair around the ground level of the building,” said Golas.
The first phase has also included some bio-hazard remediation in the attic space. As part of the grant parameters, much of the work for Phase 1 needs to be completed before the end of June and Golas said they are well on their way to meeting that deadline.
The #2 Schoolhouse remains one of Charlton’s most notable historic landmarks. Housed on the site of the former Baptist Meetinghouse and constructed in 1848, the building served as one of Charlton’s last remaining one-room schoolhouses until 1950. Today, it is enshrined on the State Register of Historic Places. Renovation is being handled in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Rehabilitation.

06/23/2025

Newly seated officials get to work after Leicester election
BY KEVIN FLANDERS
STAFF WRITER
LEICESTER — Following an Annual Town Election that didn’t see a single contested race, new committee members are eager to get to work.
Kellie Wilson joins the Select Board, replacing John Bujak after he chose not to seek re-election.
“It is with deep pride and heartfelt gratitude that I accept the position on the Select Board for the town of Leicester, a community I have lived in most of my life,” Wilson said.
An RN currently working at UMass Memorial Hospital, Wilson previously served as a substitute school nurse in Leicester. She has always had a passion for protecting the health and wellbeing of her patients, and she is committed to helping improve the quality of life for all residents through municipal service.
“To be entrusted with this responsibility is both an honor and a challenge I wholeheartedly embrace,” Wilson added. “I am committed to listening to the voices of our residents, supporting local businesses, preserving our town’s characteristics, and working hard to ensure Leicester continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Wilson and her family have been heavily involved in their community through several organizations and roles. Her husband, Mike Wilson, has spent years volunteering as an officer and coach for Leicester Little League, in addition to serving as a volunteer and on-call Leicester firefighter. He currently serves as Captain of the Leicester Fire Department, as well as the town’s Fire Inspector.
“Kellie is a natural fit to a Select Board that has shown determination to continue Leicester's move forward,” said Selectman Doug Belanger. “Her training as an RN, her lifetime of contributing to the community, her personal demeanor, and her commitment to problem-solving will be a welcomed addition to the town's leadership team."
On the school side, Nicholas Packard ran unopposed for re-election. He was previously elected to complete an unexpired term of a member who resigned, and he is looking forward to his first full term.
“I'm extremely excited to serve a full three-year term this time around. The committee is in the middle of some big moves that are putting Leicester on the map, making us a highly desirable school district in the very competitive world of education,” Packard told the New Leader. “It means a lot to be a part of a group that wants to see the results of these moves and watch our students be successful.”
In another School Committee item, newcomer John Higgins replaces Dylan Lambert, who did not seek re-election after completing his first term.
“I believe that the most important thing a town can do for its youth, as well as for the overall vitality of the town, is to provide the best education possible to every child, with curriculums that provide them with the ability to be successful in whatever career they choose,” Higgins said.
A full feature introducing Higgins to the community is slated for the next edition of the New Leader.
For complete results from the June 10 election, visit www.leicesterma.org.

06/22/2025

Courtesy
Congratulations, TCA Class of 2025!

Trinity Catholic Academy is incredibly proud of our graduates! They have distinguished themselves as outstanding students—both academically and spiritually. As they prepare for their next journey, we send them off with our prayers, blessings, and best wishes for continued success. Congratulations to Valedictorian Layla Beu and Salutatorian Chloe Cahill.

06/22/2025

Courtesy
Longest Fish winner in the 8 and Under age group, Noah Drinkwater.

10th Annual Family Family Fun Fishing Day held May 18

UXBRIDGE — The 10th Annual Family Fun Fishing Day was held on May 18th where over 140 participants with their families fished on a lovely Sunday morning. The event is organized by Open Sky Community Services and the Blackstone River Watershed Association in partnership with the Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor Volunteers-in-Parks Program, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.
This year's event included family friendly activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, games, and food from Joey D’s Wingz ‘n Thingz and ice cream from Kona Ice of Shrewsbury. All ages and ability levels were welcome, and the event was free for all.
In total there were over 200 attendees including the Commissioner of Fish & Game, Tom O’Shea.

Winners for each age group are listed below:

Adults:
Longest Fish – Brandon Partlow of Millville, 11" bass
Most Fish caught – Therese Raymond of Westborough, 15 fish

13-17:
Longest Fish – Tristan Chausse of Whitinsville, 23” Carp
Most Fish caught – Christian Fischer of Hopedale, 35 fish

9-12:
Longest Fish – Tanvi Kunte of Shrewsbury, 10” fish
Most Fish caught – Dylan Cote of Uxbridge, 20 fish

8 and under:
Longest Fish – Noah Drinkwater of Northbridge, 7 ¼” perch
Most Fish caught – Evan Ryan of Douglas, 14 fish

06/21/2025

Bay Path Practical Nursing students attend prestigious Women’s Leadership Conference on scholarship

CHARLTON — Seven students from Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy — Elizabeth Achayo, Rachel Anane, and Natasha Rovan of Worcester; Chali Desrosiers of Oxford; Ashley Rincon and Giselle Rosario of Southbridge; and Delene Sarsfield of Charlton — attended the esteemed 2025 Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Worcester Women’s Leadership Committee (WWLC) Conference on scholarship.
Stefanie Silva, Programs and Events Coordinator for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, personally congratulated the students via email upon their acceptance to the event. “We are SO excited to see you all at the DCU Center to celebrate our Sweet 16!” Silva wrote, referencing the conference's 16th anniversary.
Held on Thursday, June 12 at the Worcester DCU Center, the one-day conference drew more than 700 attendees, primarily women professionals from across the region. Now in its 16th year, the Worcester Women’s Leadership Conference is the largest event of its kind in Central Massachusetts, offering participants invaluable opportunities for business networking, professional development, and personal growth.
The conference aims to empower and inspire women by addressing issues that impact both their personal and professional lives. “Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, The Hanover Insurance Group Inc. and UMass Memorial Health, for their continued support, along with all of our incredible sponsors who help make Central MA’s largest women’s conference possible,” added Silva.
The scholarship opportunity provides an inspiring platform for the Bay Path nursing students to broaden their leadership skills and connect with a diverse network of women leaders throughout the region.

06/21/2025

Tour Uxbridge Quaker Meetinghouse Sunday

UXBRIDGE — Have you heard the one about the architect who walks into a meetinghouse…? For the rest of the story, join Phillip Wheelock at the Uxbridge Quaker Meetinghouse on Sunday, June 22 at 1 p.m.
If you have never explored this local gem, step back in time into a building that dates from 1770. Learn about the simple people who lived in Uxbridge and expressed their faith with hand tools and local materials to construct a sacred space.
A study of the meetinghouse in the mid-1950s resulted, in part, in the following comments by a preservationist: “The building…is a priceless antique. There are only a few in the whole country and none that I have seen in New England like it. You have something of which very few towns in the United States can boast.”
The Uxbridge Quaker Meetinghouse Association is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the historic structure and to share its history and use with the community. An additional Open House will be held in September when the topic will be All About Bees with “Bee Whisperer” Ken Worchol. And plans are already under way for the annual Thanksgiving morning ecumenical service to be held at the Meetinghouse this year on Thursday, Nov. 27.
Join architect Phillip Wheelock and members of the QMHA on the afternoon of June 22 for a fascinating look at the structure and history of the Uxbridge Quaker Meetinghouse, located at the corner of Quaker Highway and Aldrich Street in Uxbridge.

06/20/2025

Gus Steeves
Layla Safaee, center, served as the focal point for the Pledge of Allegiance to start the dedication ceremony.

Local DAR chapter honors Revolutionary War veterans

BY GUS STEEVES
CORRESPONDENT
DUDLEY — With a military parade in Washington, D.C. and mass protests unfolding across the country this past weekend, a quietly respectful ceremony honored a key root of Flag Day last weekend.
Despite the drizzle, about 25 people gathered in Corbin Cemetery to dedicate six Revolutionary War graves.
“In remembering the past, we honor the men and women who gave their lives for the preservation of our freedoms and our future,” said Noveline Beltram as part of the brief ceremony. “... Help us be worthy of our noble dead.”
Beltram is regent of the Captain Job Knapp chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which organized the dedication of new plaques at the graves of Aaron Albee, Lemuel Corbin, Timothy Corbin, Timothy Foster Jr, Nathaniel Healy and Samuel Healy. She noted this is the third such ceremony the chapter has done at Corbin in recent years, totaling 13 such markers.
This effort was largely driven by Adelina Healy and her daughter Mary Anne Safaee, who claim the Healys as their ancestors. Their extended family's website – bdhhfamily.com – summarizes Nathaniel's service, noting he was born in 1736, a captain and major during the war, but also “road surveyor, constable, selectman, and on the school, and other committees, until 1791.” It states he was one of those who responded to the call to Lexington on April 19, 1775, followed by service at Cambridge and Roxbury. By January 1778, Healy was “in command of the 2nd company of Dudley, Continental army.” The page lists multiple children, most of whom are buried near him; he died in 1817.
According to wikitree.com, Foster started the war as a 2nd lieutenant in Dudley's 3rd Company, but was later a lieutenant under Capt. Healy and Lemuel Corbin, serving through 1780. “His last period of service was marked by an injury to his arm,” the site states. Before the war, he served the town as a surveyor, “tythingman,” constable and on the “committee of safety.” He died in 1822, and his widow Rachel received a pension for his military service in 1836.
Kendra Schmidt's well-referenced “Trek Thru Time” blog summarizes some of the militia history of that period in a four-part Revolutionary Patriots series from 2017 (https://trekthrutime.wordpress.com/2017/01/13/revolutionary-war-patriots-hyde-ancestors-sturbridge-massachusetts-part-iv/). “At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the colonies relied on the militia as a significant part of their defense. The militia had a long-standing tradition in the colonies as a safeguard to hostile threats. The first militia units can be traced to Salem, Massachusetts in 1630. Males between sixteen and sixty, except clergy, college students, and slaves, were required to serve. Most of these men were farmers like the Hyde family, tradesmen, and general laborers. They supported the rebellion but weren’t willing to leave their farms and professions for long periods.”
Those militiamen had to provide their own weapons and gear, but received daily rations that “often ran short, so soldiers and militia relied on food brought from home, wild foods they gathered, hunted game, or ‘liberated food,” Schmidt adds. That militia typically wasn't as well-trained as the Continental Army and allegedly had a “'fondness for plunder.'”
Beltram said the process for validating Revolutionary ancestors and getting plaques for their graves is a fairly complex one, but “there may already be somebody in [the DAR] database” who used the same person to join the DAR. “There has to be a direct line, but you can zig and zag” to get there and have to document how that patriot served, she noted.
With this year's 250th Anniversary commemorations (termed both our Sestercentennial and our Semiquincentennial), DAR and its kindred groups – the Sons of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution – have seen growth in interest and “they've needed many more genealogists,” she added.
According to DAR's Web site (dar.org), the organization formed in Washington, D.C. in 1890 to promote historical, educational and patriotic activity. Over the years, it has aided various war efforts, assisted Ellis Island immigrants, hosted the 1921-2 Conference on the Limitation of Armaments, raised funds to help a 1940s forestry project, and chapters have engaged in many local activities.
“Women felt the desire to express their patriotic feelings and were frustrated by their exclusion from men's organizations formed to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent,” the site states of DAR's founding motivation.
There are several DAR chapters in our region besides this one based in Douglas. They include Oxford's Gen Ebenezar Learned Chapter, Uxbridge's Deborah Wheelock Chapter and Worcester's Col Timothy Bigelow Chapter.

Gus Steeves can be reached at [email protected].

06/20/2025

Gus Steeves
Town Manager Jack Jovan speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Southbridge breaks ground for new fire station

BY GUS STEEVES
CORRESPONDENT
SOUTHBRIDGE — “Decades in the making,” the fire station project officially kicked off last week with the formal groundbreaking of gold-painted shovels tossing dirt around.
Of course, the real work has already begun, with dump trucks hauling tons of dirt around the 129 Worcester Street property that will be its new home for a few weeks now.
As Fire Chief Paul Normandin noted, this project came about because of “the dedication of many individuals,” some of them no longer alive, over “countless meetings and hundreds if not thousands of hours.”
Town Manager Jack Jovan said that began in 1999 “because they saw a vision that a new station was needed.”
At that time, the council didn't support it, and over the years, the plan was sidestepped to prioritize other key projects, including a new police station and middle/high school. But nobody forgot, and the building committee was recreated in June 2015, with most of its members still involved.
One, John Szugda, has done it for 25-plus years. Regarding another, Joe Hulyk (now building committee chair), Jovan said he “has truly been my partner as we've continued this journey” and praised his “leadership and dedication to this mission.”
“The last time something like this happened was over 100 years ago,” Hulyk replied, referring to when the Elm Street station was built. “... I'll be much more excited when we're doing the ribbon-cutting in 18 months.”
Hulyk has “spent over half my life in the current fire headquarters,” and described getting this project to this point as “an amazing ride.” But he noted it “would not have happened without the work of everyone,” praising the collaboration it took to achieve.
Council Chair Scott Lazo agreed, saying, “the team concept was the priority, not a choice.” To him, the whole effort was evidence of the attitude “Act like you've been there, never let them see you sweat, and never quit. … What makes us durable here in Southbridge is we never quit.”
That was most notable when the town rejected the first bid as being too expensive (nearly $4 million over the voter-approved $25.7 million total) and had to re-bid it earlier this year. Lazo described that process as “biting our nails, but the team never broke.”
He was referring to the April 28 council vote to accept a $20 million contract with PDS Engineering & Construction Inc, the lowest of five bids. That figure does not account for some things. One is the “soft costs” including furniture, equipment, architecture and project management. Some of those are in the $5 million already spent, some are being covered by a $913,000 USDA grant and some of the land costs are being reimbursed by a $1 million congressional earmark at the end of the project. There's also $1 million from Free Cash being applied to contingency that may or may not be needed. It also doesn't include interest, which will add millions over the 20-year payback period.
The speakers thanked the state and federal governments for assistance, and some of those officials took turns at the podium themselves. All noted they'd repeatedly had local requests for financial aid to fund it.
“You deserve a government that works at all levels, and for this one, it did,” said State Rep John Marsi, who noted “keeping it local is key.”
Sen Ryan Fattman agreed, observing he'd received frequent communication from local leaders that were “a testament to your commitment to this project.”
US Rep Richard Neal said the fact the town approved a debt exclusion was a “courageous thing to do” when many of them fail, and he noted “I appreciate how difficult it is to undertake this.”

Gus Steeves can be reached at [email protected].

06/20/2025

Courtesy
Saint Joseph School 5th-8th Grades students pose with the medals they received at the Annual Science Fair and Exposition held on May 7.

Saint Joseph School hosts successful school-wide Science Fair and Exposition

WEBSTER — On May 7, Saint Joseph School held its much-anticipated school-wide Science Fair and Exposition, an event that showcased the remarkable talents and creativity of students from PreK through Grade 8. The fair provided a platform for students to explore the wonders of science and demonstrate their knowledge through hands-on experiments and projects.

Students in all grades, from the youngest learners in PreK to the advanced thinkers in Grade 8, participated in the Science Fair. Their projects spanned various scientific fields, from exploring the wonders of plants to conducting experiments with water and delving into environmental science. The diversity of projects not only showcased the students' curiosity and enthusiasm for learning but also their remarkable talents and creativity.

In Grades 5-8, students were awarded medals for their exceptional work, with first-, second- and third-place winners recognized for their efforts. These students were commended not only for their ability to complete experiments but also for their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and presentation of their findings.

Hands-on science is essential for developing a deeper understanding of the world around us. By conducting experiments, students learn the scientific method, fostering their ability to ask questions, analyze data, and reach conclusions based on evidence. For students in Grades 5-8, this is especially crucial as they develop skills that will serve them in higher education and future careers. The process encourages independence, curiosity, and perseverance—qualities that will aid them in any academic discipline they pursue.

Students who were awarded medals for their work include the following: Grade 5: First Place - Amadeusz Gacek: What type of bread turns moldy the fastest? Second Place - Severyn Kuznecki: Which shape of airplane wings makes it go the fastest? Third Place - TJ Belanger: How does the air pressure of a football affect its speed? Grade 6: First Place - Jacob Manzi: When I drop a coin, can people tell the difference according to the sound vibrations? Second Place – Sophia Surowaniec: Do mood rings accurately predict a person’s emotions? Third Place – Evelyn Macko: Using a filter and water from three sources, prove which is the cleanest. Grade 7: First Place - Tenleigh Dowd: Which Substance Promotes Root Growth Faster? Second Place – Neli Kuznecki: In What Environment Did Bread Grow Mold the Fastest? Third Place – Hayley Benes- Does Age Affect an After Image? Grade 8: First Place – Rosemary Basha: Is there an Ideal Shape for a Resonator? Second Place – Tobi Akindele: Which Type of Soap Removes the Most Bacteria? Third Place (tie) – Gianna Pigeon: How Does Temperature Affect a Chemical Reaction? and Faith Muga - Bubble Trouble: Which Type of Water Causes the Quickest Reaction with Alka-Seltzer? These projects not only demonstrated the students' understanding of scientific concepts but also their creativity.

Saint Joseph School is immensely proud of the effort and dedication shown by all students who participated in the Science Fair. Their exceptional work not only reinforced the importance of inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and scientific exploration but also showcased the remarkable talents and creativity of our students. We are truly appreciative of their hard work and commitment to learning.

06/19/2025

Courtesy
At a recent community walkthrough program, David Prouty High School alumni members took one last chance to walk the halls of their youth.

Walkthrough offers final tour of old DPHS academic wing
BY KEVIN FLANDERS
STAFF WRITER
SPENCER — In a program that marked both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, the community said goodbye to the old academic wing at David Prouty High School last week.
The June 11 walkthrough event offered Prouty alumni members, current students and staff members, retired officials, and community members a final opportunity to reminisce and take photos before the facility’s demolition this summer.
The open house was attended by hundreds of guests from throughout the area. DPHS Student Council members provided tours, and guests received a small token for attending, along with light refreshments.
“It was a memorable evening for many of our community members and alumni, as they ‘took a trip down memory lane’, as one person told me as they left the school at the end of the night,” said Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District Superintendent Paul Haughey.
Built in 1966, Prouty’s classrooms have seen generations of students step through their doors before moving on to become doctors and attorneys, legislators and community leaders, even professional sports athletes.
Keith Servant, who now teaches mathematics at Knox Trail Middle School, taught at Prouty for almost three decades.
“I have so many wonderful memories of the building from the past three decades,” Servant told the New Leader. “The students, faculty, and staff who have walked those hallways will always cherish their time there and the connections that they made.”

Added Servant, “Generation after generation have walked those hallways during their four years of high school. It'll be bittersweet to see the building no longer in its footprint, but I'm happy that the future high school students of SEB are getting a new high school."
Following the last day of classes on June 16, the old academic facility officially became a construction zone. Students will start the school’s next chapter in the newly built classroom wing this fall.
But even though the old building will soon cease to exist, its memories and impacts will live on through the achievements of countless alumni Panthers.
“The Prouty of the 1970s and early ’80s will live in my memory and the memories of my classmates. So many people walked these hallways and went on to do great things, but I will always remember one in particular, Brian Sweeney, who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on our country,” said State Sen. Peter Durant. “Back in high school, I was just about to get into a fight in the hall when Brian, a football player who was a year older than me, pulled me away. He probably saved me from a lot of trouble. I was heartbroken when I heard he was gone, and he often comes to mind.”
For those who attended the June 11 walkthrough, the program not only served as an opportunity to walk familiar halls one last time, but also to share stories and relive unforgettable memories. Several guests were able to see old friends for the first time in years, while others enjoyed meeting alumni members from classes that graduated decades later.
Former Prouty educators and staff members were also able to reconnect.
“Touring David Prouty one last time was a surreal reminder of the generations of students, families, and faculty that have passed through the halls, helping to shape our town,” said Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School Committee Chairman Jeff Sauvageau. “I hope the decades of memories, moments, and milestones will stand strong as we turn the page and write the next chapter for our district.”
Even though DPHS Interim Principal Sara Kinnas has only led the school for a short time, she continues to be impressed with the level of school spirit shown from current and past Panthers alike.
"The final community walkthrough was a great way to wrap up our time learning and working in this building. It is clear the community is deeply rooted in tradition and Prouty Pride, which was evident with those that attended,” Kinnas said. “Many stories were shared, as several generations of Panthers gathered together.”
School officials thank all student volunteers who served as tour guides, as well as Ms. Leveillee, Mr. Miller, Mr. Laflower, and Dr. Haughey for their efforts in coordinating the program.
Looking ahead to a promising new dawn for Prouty, but also taking time to reflect on days gone by, DPHS alums are filled with nostalgia and excitement.

“I guess I can quote the Steely Dan lyric, ‘I'm never going back to my old school,’” Durant added. “But there’s a good reason for that—because my old school is soon going to be an upgraded, incredible educational facility.”

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