SHS Alumni & Friends Newsletter
August 2025
Welcome to the first edition of the Salem Public Schools Alumni & Friends Newsletter
This newsletter has (too) long been an idea that has finally come to fruition. We created this newsletter for many reasons:
- We want to tell the world of the wonderful accomplishments of our many alumni.
- To create an outlet for alumni events and news.
- To keep SHS alumni close and connected, even those around the world.
We could go on.
For now, the SPS Alumni & Family Newsletter will be released quarterly. Thus, we need your help. Send us your news to publicrelations@salemk12.org. Here are a few examples we'd love to receive:
- Did you recently receive a promotion?
- Achieve an industry milestone?
- Receive an award?
- Were you featured in a recent publication?
- Perform in a play or musical?
- Make the dean's list at your college?
- Finish a marathon?
Whatever you can share, we're grateful and happy to publicize.
Once a witch, always a witch.
Salem Public Schools is now accepting donations online and the area of your choosing. Alumni and friends of Salem Public Schools can navigate to the City of Salem donations page and complete the short form to submit a donation.
- At the Unipay home page, type Salem
- Select 'City of Salem Donations'
- From the left menu, select 'School Donations'
In the dropdown option, donors can choose from several categories:
- Early Literacy Initiatives
- College & Career Success
- STEM
- Middle School Innovation
- Athletics
- Fine & Performing Arts
- Educator Supplies & Materials
- A New Gym Floor at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse
- Wherever Most Needed
- Your choice
Every donation helps Salem Public Schools achieve the four core principles of its Strategic Plan: Elevate learning, empower educators, center belonging and strengthen its foundation.
2025 Homecoming Weekend is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 26-28. Below is a list of events:
Homecoming Dance: Thursday, Sept. 25 (7 p.m.)
Athletic Events
- Volleyball | Friday, Sept. 26: Pioneer Charter School at Salem (Fieldhouse, 5:30 p.m.)
- Boys Soccer | Friday, Sept. 26: Salem at Ipswich (6:00 p.m.)
- Football | Friday, Sept. 26: Whittier Regional Vocational Tech at Salem (Bertram Field, 6:30 p.m.)
Eleven Former Witches Expected to be on NCAA Rosters This Fall
Salem High School will be well represented on NCAA rosters this fall. Visit Salem Public Schools' full list of former Witches currently on NCAA rosters.
- Samantha Agno '25 | Soccer, Salem State University
- Isabella Cunha '23 | Soccer, Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Malcolm Edwards '24 | Soccer, Fitchburg State University
- Shane Field '24 | Football, Curry College
- Walbee Pierre '23 | Soccer, Dean College
- Albert Pujols '24 | Football, Curry College
- Chris Qirjazi '23 | Soccer, Saint Michael’s College
- Javien Ramos '25 | Football, Curry College
- Presley Shairs '22 | Volleyball, Salem State University
- Eli Vasquez '24 | Football, Curry College
- Jonathan Wasserman '23 | Golf, Worcester State
1. 2003-04 boys basketball
Basketball is as much a part of the DNA in Salem as Halloween, so it’s no wonder a hoop team tops the list of the Witch City’s best high school teams of the 21st century.
This 20-3 outfit scored one of the definitive wins in Salem boys basketball history when it stopped 4-time defending state champion Charlestown in the Division 2 North semifinals. Led by a tremendous big man in Patrick Shea and a dynamic backcourt of Dan Fraser and Eric Groszyk, Salem could bang and run with anybody. Then first-year coach Tom Doyle came up with a genius way to prepare for the Townies’ press defense, playing 7-on-5 in practice.
Johanna Rodriguez, a City Connects Coordinator at the Collins Middle School, was presented with the Latino Educators Who Shine Award from Latinos For Education Wednesday, May 28, at a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. A member of the Salem High School Class of 2010, Ms. Rodriguez was honored alongside Ana Brea, a Spanish language educator at Salem Academy. Both Ms. Rogriguez and Ms. Brea were nominated by Senator Joan Lovely (2nd Essex District) and State Representative Manny Cruz ‘10 (7th Essex District).
Salem native Joseph O’Day recalls Wayne Millner '30, Salem High School’s greatest-ever football player.
My father had told me about Millner, that he’d been a fabulous receiver for the Salem High football team, and for Notre Dame, and the Washington Redskins. He’d told me Millner had been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When I met the man, he looked to be sixty, lean, and rugged. His player stats had him at 6’0” and 184, but his statuesque posture and self-assured manner made him seem larger.
Congratulations to Colin Bowker '24 and Gabe Bennett '25 on achieving Eagle Scout status with the Boy Scout Troop 24 Salem (View The Salem News story). Mr. Bowker is a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University while Mr. Bennett is entering his freshman year at UMass Boston...Robby Armstrong '10, currently the Operations Manager of Salem Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services, has helped spearhead the 2025 Salem Summer Eats effort that has provided more than 27,500 free meals to Salem families...Manny Cruz '12 is seeking reelection as State Representative (7th Essex District) this November...Recent graduate Quinn Rocco Ryan '25 was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the 2025 Vets Helping Vets Golf Tournament. Mr. Ryan will attend UMass Amherst.
Submit your news to: publicrelations@salemk12.org