21 May, 2015
Choosing to attend Keefe Regional Technical High school has greatly
impacted students majoring in the Health Careers Program. Acceptance into competitive nursing
programs is a challenging prospect. This year, Health Career seniors are thrilled their practical
training and hard work has paid off!
When Jenna Kennally graduates from Keefe Tech in June, she’ll be leaving with much more than
a high school diploma. She’ll take with her everything a traditional high school education
provides, plus the added experience of working every other week during her senior year. Along
with her fellow Health Careers grads, Kennally will leave Keefe as a Certified Nursing Assistant
and with certification in first aid, CPR, OSHA and Alzheimer’s Care.
In addition to her classroom studies and off-site internship, Kennally, of Holliston, participated in
Keefe’s dual enrollment program with Framingham State University, receiving four college
credits for courses she completed at FSU during her junior year. Those credits will be added to
the three she received for completing courses in the Early College Neuroscience Program at the
University of New England in Biddeford, Maine last summer.
Kennally, who is president of Keefe Tech’s National Honor Society chapter, has been accepted
into eleven BSN programs throughout New England. She has chosen the Bachelor of Science in
Nursing (BSN) program at UMass Dartmouth, where she has received one of six Endeavor
Scholarships, one of the college’s most prestigious merit scholarships, which covers tuition and
room and board for all four years.
“I have really enjoyed the clinical experience I’ve gained at Keefe Tech. I was able to get a head
start at Keefe, getting experience in a health care environment. I’ll probably be a step ahead of
my classmates when I get to college,” Kennally commented.
Luarytza Quinones of Framingham has been accepted into the pre-med track at UMass Boston.
An honors student whose goal is to become a pediatrician, Quinones has gained valuable
experience doing an internship at a local nursing home in addition to her clinical experience
provided in the Keefe Tech Health Careers program.
“My teachers have really prepared me for college and beyond. Not only did they teach us so
much academically, they taught us life skills too. They made sure we all got involved in
community service and other activities and stressed the importance of working together as a team,
something we’ll need to do when we’re out in the work world,” Quinones said.
Maite Vasquez Rivas of Framingham always knew she wanted to work in health care but wasn’t
exactly sure what career path she would take. Her studies at Keefe Tech have helped her make the
decision to pursue a degree in nursing. Vasquez Rivas will be enrolling in the BSN program at
Regis College in Weston in September.
Jaeda Rose of Framingham plans to have a career as a certified midwife after college. She will be
enrolling in the BSN program at Anna Maria College in Paxton in the fall. After receiving her
Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Rose plans to pursue post-graduate education to obtain Midwifery
certification.
Ashland resident Leticia Silva plans to be a pediatric nurse after earning her nursing degree. Silva
is Keefe Tech’s Class of 2015 Salutatorian and will be enrolling, along with Kennally, in UMass
Dartmouth’s BSN program in the fall. Like many of her Keefe classmates, she has had practical
experience working at a local nursing home this year, helping out in the Activities department as
well as transporting and feeding Alzheimer’s patients.
Monique Bisnette’s career path will provide the opportunity to combine her favorite pastimes –
working with youth, and health and physical fitness. Bisnette, of Framingham, will be heading to
Worcester State University in September to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education. “I’m
a karate instructor, play on the Keefe softball team and I’m into nutrition and eating healthy! I
took full advantage of the opportunities Keefe offered and explored all of my options before
deciding what field to pursue in college. I think I can be a good role model for high school
students, which is the age group I’d like to teach,” Bisnette noted.
“My goal as an instructor is to help my students be successful at work,” noted Health Careers
Lead Instructor Susan Lynch, RN, who has taught at Keefe for 15 years. “My approach is to treat
them as a boss would on the job. Of course we stress strong academics, but we also teach students
about the importance of good time management skills, being professional and working together as
a team.”
“Admission to nursing school is becoming more competitive every year and our students have a
competitive advantage with the hands-on training they get here at Keefe. This year’s graduates
have all worked very hard. We just open the doors for them. They’re such a well-rounded group –
involved in school, sports, work, family and the community. I’m very proud of them and it’s been
an honor and a privilege to teach them,” Lynch added.
In recent years graduates of Keefe’s Health Careers program have gone on to many prestigious
colleges and universities to pursue health-related studies and others have begun careers in healthrelated
occupations.
“This year’s Health Careers graduates are such high performers. These girls have so much
compassion and are very goal oriented. They are great self-advocates and have pursued the track
necessary to reach their goals. It’s been a pleasure to watch them evolve,” noted Andrea
Fisichella, Keefe Tech Grade 12 Guidance Counselor.
For more information about Keefe Tech or to schedule a tour, visit www.keefetech.org or call:
(508) 416-2100.
