Nixairis Cortijo

Business Technology is pleased to announce Nixairis Cortijo of Fall River as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Edmond P. Talbot Middle School, Nixairis is the daughter of Marilyn Beniquez and Moises Cortijo. Nixairis has maintained high honors throughout her four years at Diman. Nixairis demonstrated her leadership abilities at the SkillsUSA State Competition where she won the gold medal in Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Additionally, she received the Overall Award for her restaurant project at the 2016 Trade Fair. Nixairis is also a talented photographer and was previously a member of Diman’s Photography Club. Nixairis is employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program as a Customer Service Representative at Design Ergonomics in Fall River, Massachusetts. In the fall, Nixairis will study Finance at Quinnipiac University.

Joseph Aguiar

Joseph Aguiar of Fall River has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Carpentry-Cabinetmaking Department. A graduate of Edmond P. Talbot Middle School, Joseph is the son of Joe and Maria Aguiar. Joseph has been a high honors student since his freshman year at Diman and is currently ranked 18th in his class. During his sophomore year, Joseph’s cabinetmaking skills earned him a silver medal at the SkillsUSA District Competition. Joseph also received an Academic Excellence Award in Algebra II and English Language Arts. Joseph has given back to his Diman community by volunteering at Diman’s Open House and Admission Night. As a freshman, he participated in winter track and played on the J.V. soccer team. Joseph is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Millwork One in Cranston, Rhode Island as a Cabinetmaker. A John and Abigail Adams Scholarship recipient, Joseph will be attending Bristol Community College in the fall and will transfer to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to study Business Administration.

Alexi Resendes

The Culinary Arts Department is pleased to announce Alexi Resendes of Westport as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Westport Middle School, Alexi is the daughter of Joe and Lucy Resendes. She has consistently earned academic honors since her sophomore year. Alexi has been a member of the basketball team throughout her entire Diman career. Additionally, she played for both the volleyball and softball team during her freshman and sophomore year. Alexi is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Lee’s Market in Westport as a baker. After graduation, she will attend Bristol Community College to study Pastry Art.

Alexia Gonsalves

Alexia Gonsalves of Westport has been named the Dental Assisting Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Westport Middle School, Alexia is the daughter of Nelson and Michelle Rego. She is currently ranked 12th in her class. Alexia participated in the 2017 Walk to End Hunger as a member of the National Honor Society. She also volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s during her freshman year. Alexia recently gave back to her Diman community by volunteering as a shop assistant during Diman’s Open House. Alexia is currently employed as a Dental Assistant at Perfect Smiles in Westport through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program. Alexia was recently awarded a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Academic Award. After graduation, she will major in Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Lisa Reed

The Drafting Program is pleased to announce Lisa Reed as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A Swansea resident, Lisa graduated from Saint Stanislaus School and is the daughter of Michael and Lidia Reed. She is currently ranked 7th in her class. Lisa has been a member of Spotlight, the Diman Math Team, and is Treasurer of the National Honor Society. She has demonstrated her drafting abilities at SkillsUSA, recently earning the gold medal in the District’s Technical Drafting Competition. She also earned second place at the Trade Fair in her junior year for her architectural plans. Additionally, she was awarded an Academic Excellence Award in Honors Algebra II and Honors Contemporary U.S. History. Outside of Diman, Lisa has volunteered at St. Louis de France in Swansea and for the Elizabeth Stevens Brown School as a club supervisor. She has also participated in the Walk for Hunger. Lisa is employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Five Star Surgical in New Bedford as an engineering technician. A recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, Lisa will be attending Bristol Community College and will transfer to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to study Mechanical Engineering.

Daniel Lopes

Daniel Lopes of Fall River has been named the Electricity Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. Daniel is the son of Daniel and Fernanda Lopes and graduated from Atlantis Charter School. Daniel is currently ranked 3rd in his graduating class. During his sophomore year, Daniel earned first place for his Trade Fair electrical panel installation project. He has volunteered with Citizens for Citizens as a gift bagger and at the Boys and Girls Club. Daniel is employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at SANLO Electrical in Westport. Daniel received a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. After graduation, he plans to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Warren Levesque

Warren Levesque of Somerset has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Electronics Program. The son of Wayne Levesque and Kristy Sabatino, Warren has earned academic honors since his freshman year. Warren exhibited his electronics skill during his sophomore year, winning 2nd place for his binary counter project during the Trade Fair. Warren also played on the football team during his freshman year and has been a member of the Diman Math Team since his junior year. Additionally, Warren is a Relay for Life Volunteer. Warren is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Whirlpool in Fall River as an Electronic Technician. After graduation, Warren will attend Johnson and Wales University to study Electronics Engineering.

Kylie Cooper

Kylie Cooper of Westport has been named the Graphic Communications Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. She is the daughter of Kelley and Nathan Cooper. Kylie is currently ranked 1st in her graduating class and has been awarded a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program award, Diman’s Most Outstanding Sophomore Student award, Diman’s Most Outstanding Junior Student award, and the Massachusetts Vocational Association’s Outstanding Vocational Student award. She is a member of the Genes in Space Club, SkillsUSA, DECA, National Honor Society, Photography Club, The Innovator, and Yearbook Club. Kylie and her fellow Genes in Space team members won an honorable mention as freshmen and placed as a national top five finalist team as sophomores. She will be competing in the Photography Competition at the SkillsUSA State Conference after winning gold at the 2018 District conference. She won the Massachusetts State Program Cover Design contest for DECA in 2018 and, as a result, attended the International Career Development Conference. Additionally, Kylie volunteers at Westport Community Schools. Through National Honor Society, she has also participated in the annual Walk for Hunger in Boston and the Salvation Army’s Clothe-a-Child event. She is employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program as a prepress operator at RPI Printing in Fall River, Massachusetts. Additionally, Kylie has owned her own business on Etsy since 2014 and is a tennis instructor in Westport. Kylie will study Astrophysics at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this fall.

Massachusetts Outstanding Vocational Student

Nathan Marum

The Health Assisting Program is pleased to announce Nathan Marum of Somerset as their Outstanding Vocational Student. Nathan graduated from Somerset Middle School and is the son of Michael and Christine Marum. Nathan is currently ranked 8th in his graduating class. Nathan has been a member of the track and football team since his freshman year. He also participated in the Walk for Hunger with the National Honor Society. Nathan is currently employed at Truesdale Surgical Associates in Fall River, Massachusetts through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program. After graduation, Nathan will attend Charleston Southern University to study Athletic Training.

Cody Taborda

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Program is pleased to announce Cody Taborda of Fall River as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Edmund P. Talbot Middle School, Cody is the son of Louis and Heather Taborda. He has received academics honors throughout all four years at Diman. Cody displayed his HVAC/R skills during his sophomore year by participating in the SkillsUSA District Competition. That same year, he also earned 2nd place at the Trade Fair for his piping project. Cody is employed as a service technician and installer through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at MJ Heating in Fall River, Massachusetts. After graduation, Cody plans to attend Bristol Community College’s Fire Science Technology Career Program and will continue to work at MJ Heating.

Raymond Parent

Machine Tool Technology Department is pleased to announce Raymond Parent of Westport as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Tiverton Middle School, Raymond is the son of Ray and Stacey Parent. Raymond is ranked 17th in his class and has earned honors and high honors throughout his Diman tenure. Raymond recently won the gold medal at the 2018 SkillsUSA District Competition. After winning gold at last year’s state competition, Raymond went on to earn 7th place at the National SkillsUSA Conference for the CNC Milling Specialist Competition. Raymond has also shown his athletic ability by participating in winter and spring track. He has been a member of the golf team since his freshman year and earned the title of “most outstanding” player. Additionally, Raymond gives back to his community as a Special Olympics volunteer. Raymond is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at F.H. Peterson Machine in Stoughton, Massachusetts as an Apprentice Machinist. After graduation, Raymond will continue to work at F.H. Peterson as a CNC Machinist and hopes to study mechanical engineering in college. He is a recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the John P. Harrington Award.

Recipient of the John P. Harrington Award

Joseph Denis

The Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies Program is pleased to name Joseph Denis as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A current resident of Swansea, Joseph graduated from Joseph Case Jr. High School and is the son of James and Lori Wilson. During his time at Diman, Joseph participated in SkillsUSA. He recently earned third place in the District’s Welding Competition. He has also demonstrated his vocational skills at the Trade Fair, collectively earning two second place ribbons and several first place awards. Joseph has been an active member of the Ski Club since his freshman year. He is also the recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Joseph is employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program as a welder at MIW Corporation in Fall River. After graduation, Joseph plans to enlist in the United States Navy.

Collyn Bennett

The Plumbing Program is pleased to announce Collyn Bennett of Westport as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Westport Middle School, Collyn is the son of William and Allyson Bennett. He has earned academic honors throughout all four years at Diman. Collyn recently won the gold medal for the 2018 SkillsUSA District Plumbing Competition. He previously won the silver medal during his junior year for the district Team Building Competition. Collyn also demonstrated his plumbing prowess at the Trade Fair, where he earned the Outstanding Trade Fair Project award during his freshman and sophomore year in addition to winning first place awards. Collyn was recently awarded the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts All Star Award. Collyn has lent his talents to multiple Diman sports teams. Since freshman year, he has been a member of the ice hockey and track and field team. Collyn is also a member of the cross country team. He ranked 9th in the 2017 MAC Championship and earned the Mayflower Athletic Conference All Star Award. He also participated in the Diman Ski & Snowboard Club. Collyn is currently employed at SAMCO Plumbing and Heating in Westport through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program as an apprentice plumber. After graduation, Collyn will continue working at SAMCO Plumbing and Heating.

Marva Davis

Marva Davis of Taunton, Massachusetts, has been named the Practical Nurse Day Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. The mother of three children, she is the daughter of Lydel and Marva Davis. Marva received her GED and NOCTI certification in 1995 from Westover Job Corporation Center in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She is currently employed as a Medical Secretary at Compass Medical of Easton and she is a Recovery Counselor at Community Counseling of Bristol County. Marva is a member of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc, and is a member of he 2017-2018 Student Government as a Student Representative. For Marva, nursing has been a lifelong passion since she enjoys helping others and motivating people to see their full potential. Marva plans on furthering her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In the future, she would like to work in a school and become an advocate for adolescents. Marva is incredibly excited to be in a field where she can give back and be a life-long learner all at once.