SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

The City of Salem proudly announces the 19 women selected for recognition during this year’s Women’s History Month, celebrating their extraordinary impact on the community - both in highly visible leadership roles and in the essential, often unseen work that strengthens the city every day.

This year’s honorees represent a wide range of fields, including education, public service, arts and culture, small business, social advocacy, public safety, and community care. Each woman was nominated by a local elected official for her dedication, creativity, and commitment to making Salem a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient place to live.

“Salem has been shaped by generations of women whose leadership and commitment to community has moved our city forward.” noted Mayor Dominick Pangallo, “This year’s 19 honorees embody the spirit of service, innovation, and compassion that defines our city. I am grateful to each of them for all that they have done to improve our community, to the local officials who nominated them, and to the City staff who organized the month-long celebratory efforts. It means so much to honor those who have given so much to Salem.”

2026 Women’s History Month Honorees

• Robyn Burns
• Jenni Espinal
• Carol Hautau
• Cindy Johnson
• Barbara Kelley
• Charity Lazama
• Lori Marenda-Lang
• Blanca Martinez
• Kim Parkinson
• Alexandra Pineros-Shields, Ph.D.
• Janet Puleo
• Shannon Reynolds
• Julia Scherer-Hoock
• Cat Seiferth
• Ashley Sullivan
• Jacquie Valatka
• Nikki Whittaker
• Diane Wolf
• And one honoree who wishes to remain anonymous

These women were recognized at the City of Salem’s annual Women’s History Month Celebration on Friday, March 27 at the Jean Levesque Community Life Center, where they were presented with City Seals honoring their achievements. The event featured remarks from city leaders, including Chief-of-Staff Lisa Peterson, Mayor Dominick Pangallo, and a keynote address by Senator Joan Lovely, as well as presentations highlighting each honoree’s contributions.

Women’s History Month offers an opportunity not only to celebrate individual accomplishments but also to acknowledge the collective power of women whose work - seen and unseen - sustains the city’s cultural, civic, and social fabric.

Photo Credit: Franco Cutietta

March 30 - Autism Acceptance Week

March 30 - Athletics Media Day 2:45 Field House

April 1 - Salem Indoor Colorguard and Percussion Ensemble 7pm

April 7 - PSAT for 10th Grade

April 12 - Salem Kicks Gas: A North Shore Electric Vehicle Expo (Salem High School 1pm - 4 pm)

April 17 - Student Summit 8am - 2pm Hawthorne Hotel

April 17 - Junior Prom at Hawthorne Hotel

The After Prom Committee, led by SHS Parents, is running a scratch ticket raffle to raise money for a fun and safe Post-Senior Prom Party at In The Game. Only 300 tickets will be sold.

Must by 18 to purchase a ticket.

Payment Methods:

Venmo: Josh Gillis @Josh-Gillis-75 (Include your Name and Phone Number in Venmo)

or

Email salemhighafterprom@gmail.com for other payment options

“BE ABOUT IT”

• Live the values of our school community; show pride, respect, and responsibility not just by saying it, but by consistently doing it.

• Follow through on commitments, whether that’s in academics, athletics, arts, or personal goals.

• Model integrity by letting your behavior reflect your intentions—be the example others can count on.

“BE ABOUT IT” means don’t just talk about who you are or what you stand for, prove it every day through effort, character, and action.

Be About It!

#GoWitch

S.H.E.L.L. (Salem High Educator Learning Lab) is a flexible, student-centered approach to education that is designed to support academic growth, exploration, and innovation. The Learning Lab provides educators with time, guidance, and resources to strengthen skills, receive targeted support, collaborate with peers, and extend learning beyond the traditional classroom.

Through SHELL, Salem High School is deepening its commitment to personalized learning—creating an environment where students can ask questions, try new strategies, get feedback, and build confidence as learners. Whether students need extra help, enrichment opportunities, or a place to work and reflect, SHELL is designed to bring educators together and design a meaning learning environment that will meet students where they are and help them move forward.

In order to provide our whole school community an understanding of some of the great things happening at Salem High School we have created a podcast that we will be using to tell our story and more importantly let our students and educators shine!

Episode 4.1 - Student Agency: Junior Class President Yanalis Ventura joins the podcast to give us a look at life as a student leader at Salem High. Between balancing Early College and CTE commitments, Yanalis discusses what it it's like to lead as an athletic captain and class officer. Plus, she shares key takeaways from her trip to Tucson, Arizona last year to learn from a high school there. We get to hear her favorite ideas she hopes to bring back to SHS.

By Matt Williams | Asst. Sports Editor

This year’s field of candidates for the Northeastern Conference boys basketball Player of the Year award was the deepest in recent memory, and maybe the deepest ever.

Considering that the league had four different career 1,000 point scorers, two state finalists and four teams ranked in the Top 10 in their respective divisions, no one would envy the coaches that had to vote on just one MVP.

Salem junior captain Elian Rodriguez took top honors after leading the Witches to the Division 3 state title, their fourth ever and first since 1995. Besides surpassing 25 points in four of five playoff games, Rodriguez averaged 22.1 points per game on the season while handing out 5.3 assists per game with 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals.

Senior captain Nate Lane joined Rodriguez on the First Team All-Conference squad. The versatile forward averaged 14.2 points per game to go with six rebounds and 4.2 assists.

Among the Lynch Division standouts, Salem’s freshman big man Cleto Deng was an all-star along with teammates Matt Kenney and Cesar Mesa Castillo.

Salem News: https://www.salemnews.com/sports/state-champion-rodriguez-snares-league-mvp-honor/article_52267572-6af4-4664-ae99-e2daebc50ef0.html

Tom Doyle was voted NEC Coach of the Year after guiding the Witches to the NEC Lynch title as well as a victory over NEC Dunn champion Masconomet.

Salem High School is proud to announce the outstanding academic achievements of the Class of 2026. This year, a significant number of students have earned a variety of prestigious academic awards and honors, showcasing their dedication, talent, and hard work throughout their high school careers.

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This past Thursday evening, students from across Salem Public Schools came together for the Salem All-City Concert and Orchestra Concert at Salem High School. The event featured talented young musicians from elementary, middle, and high school programs performing together in a powerful celebration of music education and collaboration. The band performed first followed by the orchestra, filling the auditorium and field house with impressive performances that reflected months and years of preparation and dedication from students and music educators across the district. This concert is always a wonderful reminder of the strength of Salem’s arts programs and the pride our community takes in supporting student musicians.

AP courses are crucial in college admissions because they demonstrate academic

rigor, indicating a student is prepared for college-level work.They boost weighted

GPAs, signal serious academic intent to admissions officers, and can provide college

credit, allowing students to skip introductory courses.

According to a survey taken by the National Association for College Admission

Counseling (NACAC), a student’s GPA in college preparatory classes (AP and/or

International Baccalaureate courses) is the single most important factor in college

admissions, more than standardized test scores or even AP exam scores themselves.

In 2025, 66.4% of SHS students who took an AP exam scored a three or higher 3

(out of 5) on at least one exam, compared with the state average of 68.8% and a

Gateway city average of 58.2%.

In 2025, 66.4% of SHS students who took an AP exam scored a three or higher 3

(out of 5) on at least one exam, compared Salem Academy Charter School

students at 45%.

During the 25-26 school-year 41% of Salem High School Students are enrolled in at least one AP class. More than 88% of Juniors and Seniors are enrolled in what the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) consider advanced coursework. This is a shift in our practice over the last four years to put our students in the best position possible to meet their goals in a competitive college and career landscape.

Senior Families,

It is crazy to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about college tuition bills. You're just a few short months out from receiving the Fall 2026 billing statement. Join College Affordable’s next webinar to review different loan options, look at samples of tuition and statements, and review different methods of payment.

Dates: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM

Topic: Paying the Bill & Loan Options

We’d also like to note that College Affordable is available to help you better understand your financial aid offers, compare costs across colleges, and help you discover any opportunities to appeal for additional funding from the colleges. To get started, complete the Award Letter Feedback Request. Make sure you include all of your offers, even to colleges you are considering, as those offers may help you with an appeal at the colleges you are most interested in.

All families who are new to College Affordable and their support, should click on this link and continue to our school icon to register. This page will house information related to different program aspects you can take advantage of.

If you previously registered with College Affordable and need to just sign up for this webinar, please follow this link. Registrants will be emailed a copy of the recording.

All questions can be directed to College Affordable via email financialaid@collegeaffordable.org.

Hello SHS Students and Families,

The deadline for new students to apply for 2026-2027 Early College is March 31.

APPLY HERE!

Students and families will be notified of Early College acceptance and next steps to confirm enrollment by April 15. Students currently enrolled in Early College who wish to opt out next year must meet for an exit interview.

We have been working to strengthen our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Early College this year. You may receive notice that you/your child receive Tier 2 support or be asked to attend a Tier 3 “Early College Success” meeting.

From the SHS Tutoring Center (2nd floor IMC):

• Referrals/scheduling: Staff & family members can refer students to the tutoring center for help HERE. Students can schedule appointments by clicking “Tutoring” on SHS Launchpad/Classlink too. Staff, undergraduate, and peer tutors are available for help in all subjects, and some specialize in writing or math.

• Teen Health Help: On Tuesdays, Araby’ha is available to meet to talk about anything on your mind. Araby’ha is a social work intern for the Teen Health Center and a senior at SSU. She will have drop in sessions during crew Tuesdays through the rest of this school year.

• Employment Help: Valerie from Masshire continues to be in the tutoring center Mondays 12:00-1:30 for job advising.

Click for:

• Early College Handbook, Handbook in Spanish Handbook in Portuguese.

• SHS/SSU/NSCC Support & Contacts.

Contact Dr. Kirby if you have any questions or concerns: akirby@salemk12.org.

Alexandra Kirby

Early College Coordinator

We are thrilled to begin another exciting year and to support every student in their journey to growth and success. Through our C3 College, Career, and Counseling Department, we encourage all students to Dare To Grow because your future knows no boundaries.

We are excited to share that our students have already started more than 200 college applications to schools across the country! You can view the interactive map here to see where students are applying: C3 College Application Map.

This information comes from Naviance, which students can access through ClassLink. Parents can also access their student’s information using their Naviance username and password.

If students or families need support accessing Naviance, please reach out to your student’s counselor for assistance.

Deciding what colleges to add to your list? One great resource to examines what factors goes into your college choice is Big Future at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search.

Location: Greenville, South Carolina

Mascot: Paladins

Enrollment: 2,700

Average GPA: 3.8

Average SAT Score: 1300

Average ACT Score: 30

Admissions: https://www.furman.edu/admissions/

Furman University is a private liberal arts university located in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 1826, Furman is one of the oldest private institutions in the state and is nationally recognized for its strong liberal arts education, undergraduate research opportunities, and emphasis on experiential learning. The university combines rigorous academics with a close-knit campus community and strong faculty mentorship.

Furman is especially known for its Furman Advantage program, which integrates internships, research, study abroad, and community engagement into the undergraduate experience. Students benefit from personalized academic advising, strong alumni networks, and extensive opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

Colleges & Academic Programs

Furman University offers undergraduate programs through several academic divisions, including:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• School of Business
• Department of Health Sciences
• Department of Education
• Department of Communication Studies
• Department of Computer Science

Students can pursue degrees in areas such as:

• Business Administration
• Accounting
• Economics
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Psychology
• Political Science
• History
• Environmental Science
• Health Sciences
• Public Health
• Communication Studies
• Education
• Pre-Med and Pre-Health Programs

Furman emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and encourages students to combine majors, minors, and research opportunities.

Areas of Academic Strength

• Business and entrepreneurship
• Pre-med and health sciences preparation
• Environmental science and sustainability
• Political science and public policy
• Psychology and behavioral sciences
• Communication and media studies
• Undergraduate research across STEM and social sciences

Furman is particularly well known for preparing students for medical school, graduate programs, law school, and careers in business, public service, and research.

Experiential Learning & Professional Advantage

The Furman Advantage program ensures every student graduates with real-world experience through:

• Internships with corporations, nonprofits, and government organizations
• Undergraduate research with faculty mentors
• Study abroad programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America
• Community-based learning and service opportunities
• Professional development and career exploration programs

These experiences help students build strong résumés and professional networks before graduation.

Clubs & Student Organizations

Furman University offers 150+ student organizations, including:

• Student Government Association
• Cultural and identity-based organizations
• Business and entrepreneurship clubs
• Environmental and sustainability groups
• Pre-health and pre-law societies
• Performing arts organizations
• Academic honor societies
• Community service organizations
• Faith-based organizations

Student life emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and community engagement.

Athletics

Furman competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon).

Varsity Sports Include:

• Football
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Softball
• Track & Field
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Lacrosse

Furman has a strong tradition in football, basketball, and soccer, and the Paladins consistently compete for conference championships.

Recent & Notable Developments

• Expansion of the Furman Advantage experiential learning program
• Continued investment in science and research facilities
• Growth in data analytics, computer science, and health sciences programs
• Strong national rankings among top liberal arts colleges in the United States
• High placement rates in graduate school, medical school, and competitive internships

Virtual Tour: https://www.furman.edu/virtual-campus-tour/

Website: https://www.furman.edu/

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is the minimum requirement to begin pilot training. Most commercial airline pilots, however, earn a bachelor’s degree.

Common majors include:

Aviation
Aeronautical Science
Aerospace Engineering
Air Traffic Management
Aviation Management
Meteorology
Mechanical Engineering
Physics

Many pilots complete their flight training through:

University aviation programs
Private flight schools
Military flight training programs

In addition to classroom learning, pilots must complete extensive flight hours and simulator training.

Licensure / Certification Pathway (Role-Dependent)

Pilots must obtain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.

Typical pathway:

Earn a Private Pilot License (PPL) – allows individuals to fly for personal use.
Complete additional training to obtain an Instrument Rating (IR) to fly in low visibility conditions.
Earn a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) to be paid as a pilot.
Build required flight hours through instructing, charter flying, or regional airline work.
Obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the highest level of pilot certification, required to fly for major airlines.

Typical Tasks Associated with This Career

Operate aircraft safely during takeoff, flight, and landing

Conduct pre-flight inspections of aircraft systems, instruments, and fuel levels

Review weather conditions, flight plans, and navigation routes

Communicate with air traffic control during flight operations

Monitor aircraft instruments and navigation systems

Manage emergency situations and make critical decisions during flight

Coordinate with copilots, flight attendants, and ground crews

Ensure passenger safety and comfort

Log flight hours and complete flight documentation

Follow federal aviation regulations and safety procedures

Pilots use tools such as flight management systems, navigation instruments, aviation radios, radar systems, and advanced flight simulators.

Expected Income

Average salary: $120,000–$220,000 depending on experience, airline, and aircraft type.

Regional airline pilots may start around $70,000–$100,000, while experienced captains at major airlines can earn $250,000–$400,000+ annually.

Many pilots also receive benefits such as travel privileges, retirement plans, and per diem pay while traveling.

Projected Growth: 5% growth over the next 10 years

Demand for pilots is expected to remain strong due to airline expansion, cargo aviation growth, and pilot retirements.

Related High School Coursework

Physics
Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus)
Engineering or STEM courses
Computer Science
Geography
Meteorology or Earth Science
Communication / Public Speaking
English Language Arts

Students interested in aviation are also encouraged to participate in:

STEM clubs or robotics teams
Civil Air Patrol programs
Flight simulation programs
Aviation summer camps
Local airport internships or aviation clubs