Franklin Tech celebrates 50th anniversary with attractions and sporting events

TURNERS FALLS — A carnival type atmosphere blanketed the Franklin County Technical School campus on Saturday, as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary with an assortment of fun activities and sporting events.

“Obviously it’s a good turnout,” Franklin Tech Athletic Director/Dean of Students Joe Gamache said. “We have a lot of volunteer support between the vendors, the activities and the music.”

Some of the attractions included a ‘memory lane’ complete with 50 years of photos from the school’s history. The Class of 2006 gathered on the baseball field. Senator Joanne Comerford presented the school with an official citation celebrating 50 years.

Food vendors had long lines of people waiting for a delicious variety of sustenance. There was a flight simulator and a teddy bear clinic along with face painting. Even the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine made an appearance.

The event was somewhat of a reunion for Franklin Tech graduates to converse with current students and staff. The theme of the event was past, present and future. There was a heavy dose of reminiscing among the Franklin Tech community in attendance.

“We got everybody on board,” Gamache said. “All the faculty and all the staff. They are all here helping out and making this a great day. It’s great to see some alumni. Maybe some future students. Just love to have the campus busy to showcase what we do here.”

Gamache’s tenure at the school spans 25 years.

“The interior of the building has physically changed,” Gamache said. “Student enrollment has grown. People really understand the value and the benefit of a vocational education. They realize that kids have a lot of options and avenues coming out of here. We’ve grown. Change is inevitable and the hope is that you are always moving forward.”

The morning got started with Franklin Tech hosting Mahar in a volleyball match. The Eagles lost the first set to the Senators but came back to win three straight to pull off the victory. Set scores were 21-25, 25-17 25-12 and 25-19.

A thunderous kill by Sarah Beckwith closed out the match for the Eagles. Lily Baldwin had 13 digs and 29 assists. Emma Petersen added two kills, two aces, two blocks and 10 digs. Madelynn Burgess had eight digs, four kills, seven aces and 11 assists for the Senators. Kamryn Hart had six kills for Mahar.

When the volleyball match ended, the gym emptied to the field hockey field to join an already sizable crowd where the Eagles were playing Mohawk Trail Regional. The crowd around the field erupted when Cammy Jacques gave the Eagles a lead in the third quarter. The Eagles went on to defeat the Warriors, 2-1.

Mohawk took a 1-0 lead in the second quarter on a goal by Hailey Martin. Leah Meattey scored to tie the game with nine minutes, 47 seconds left in the third quarter. Redyn Gutierrez made three saves for the Eagles. Brynlee Purington stopped four shots for the Warriors.

As the festivities moved to the soccer field, Pioneer Valley Regional handed Franklin Tech a 2-0 Bi-County loss. Maddie Keefe scored twice for Pioneer. Brooke Welcome added an assist.

In the final game before the football, the Franklin Tech boys soccer team defeated Mohawk Trail Regional, 9-0. Cody Yetter had two goals, with Joe Muniz adding another tally. Santiago Buri-Rosales and John Gheorghita scored twice. Kaiden Price and Nate Gheorghita also scored.

In a game played Friday night, the Franklin Tech girls soccer team defeated Athol, 3-2. Sofia Melnik’s first varsity goal on a header with four minutes left sealed the win Bi-County win for the Eagles. Faythe Sobieski assisted on the goal.

Summer Williams also scored her first varsity goal for the Eagles. Sobieski finished with a goal and two assists, with Melnik adding another assist. Vera Cruz and Maddisyn David scored for Athol. Serena Nkengafe had an assist for the Bears.