A night of recognition for athletes, an orchestra and employees at Medford School Committee

It was a night of thank yous,  jobs well done and even a few “we’ll miss you” for dozens of athletes, a group of musicians and a handful of departing employees at the June 9 Medford School Committee meeting.

“This is an evening that just warms my heart completely,” said interim Superintendent Suzanne Galusi.

First up

Galusi kicked off the recognition by introducing the middle school String Ensemble, which was awarded a gold medal in April at the 2025 Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Concert Festival.

“A deserving award that reflects a tremendous amount of dedication of the students and staff members,” she said before thanking Fine Arts Director Suzanne Fee and orchestra and string ensemble director Sophia Chang, “and all the other staff members for creating this pathway for our students and for making sure that we have opportunities in the arts for our students here in Medford.”

Round two

The Medford Mustangs Esport team also brought home the gold when it won the 2025 spring Massachusetts School Administrators Association Mario Kart Championship at Fisher College, “which is a very big deal,” Galusi said. 

She thanked coaches Tyler McCready and Nelson Maldonado, students, parents and caregivers.

“With our program being so new to the Medford High School community, it’s really amazing to see how well they’ve done and have done in such a short amount of time,” Galusi said. “So much camaraderie, spirit, teamwork and ultimate success is really something to be acknowledged and appreciated.”

Winter/Spring Sports recognition

Before she passed the mic to Assistant Athletic Director Rachel Perry, Galusi gave a shout out to all students, parents/caregivers and coaches involved in winter and spring sports.

“We’re acknowledging you this evening for your dedication to the team, to the sport, to your preparation,” she said. “It takes a lot of work, and we're really tremendously proud of you and your success.”

And there were a lot of successes:

First up Perry introduced the gymnastics Greater Boston League (GBL) Championship Team.

Coached by Nicki Fortino and Kelly Corrigan, the team of only four won for the third year in a row.

Ice Hockey coach Ned O’Keefe has been involved with the program for 15 years but this was his first year as head coach and he and his team did not disappoint. The boys skated to a GBL championship with a 6-0 season, and a 10 and 10 overall.

“It’s great to be a Mustang,” said baseball coach Orazio Azzarello.

Medford baseball won the GBL for the first time in 10 years.

“That was a great accomplishment,” Azzarello said. “We made the tournament and upset Brookline, first time in seven years for Medford. So I’m very proud of this group, and they definitely deserve this night.”

Not to be outdone, the softball team also brought home a GLB championship. 

“Our team finished the season undefeated in the GBL and 18 and 2 overall, making it through to the first round of states and losing in the second round to the number two team in the state,” said coach Jackie Pellecchia. “We have a young team, so we’re coming back next year with the same fight.”

Both girls and boys lacrosse teams also had banner years. The girls team made the state tournament for the first time in 10 years, according to coach Bianca Passacantilli.

“We were named league champs for the first time in nine years, and undefeated in the league,” she said, adding, “We were also undefeated at home, and we broke the program record for most wins in the season.”

Boys lacrosse coach Anthony Tortora said his team finished 8 and 0 in league play and 14 and 4 in the regular schedule. He also took a minute to give a shout out to one particular player.

“One of our athletes, who had a phenomenal senior year on the football field, on the basketball court and on the baseball field …  couldn’t be here with us tonight, but Justin Marino scored 1000 points in his career, so congratulations, Justin.”

Last but not least, Perry called up crew team coach Richard Stavros. Stavros said it was an interesting year. The team didn’t get a chance to repeat its fall state championship win with a spring win after the state race was eliminated due to high waters and wind.

“But we were able to capture the second varsity four bronze medal,” he said. “And the four kids that were in that boat will be heading to the nationals to represent us in the youth under 17 double sculling.”

Employee recognition

After congratulating all the athletes and musicians, the School Committee and Galusi turned her attention to five long time staff members who are retiring at the end of the 2025 school year.

She said each gave more than 20 years of service and two, psychologist Loren Gomez and school nurse Karen Roberto were on hand for the recognition. The pair served the schools for 32 and 25 years respectively.

Gomez said when she first started as a school counselor, she was the only one and it stayed that way for a decade, but now there are four full time mental health staffers. 

“It just shows you how the field has changed and how much need we have for mental health services in the public schools,” she said. 

Also recognized were Karen Roberto, a school nurse with 25 years of service, Janet Ewing, a second grade teacher with 32 years in the district and physical education teacher Mary Hordy with 30 years.

Two more

Teachers and nurses are not the only ones moving on this year. At the end of the school year MPS will also lose Assistant Superintendent for Enrichment, Innovation and Operations Dr. Peter Cushing and Director of English Learners Paul Teixeria.

Both are moving on to superintendent positions of their own in Beverly and Provincetown respectively. 

Galusi thanked Cushing “for the spirit you brought to the sentiment of “it’s a great day to be a Mustang” and said they had no doubt he would bring the same spirit to the Beverly Panthers. 

To Teixeira Galusi said, “you’re ready for this new role, and though we will miss you greatly, we’re confident that you're going to make a positive difference, and we’re just a phone call away.”