Justin Trenholm | The Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing

The Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing program is pleased to recognize Justin Trenholm as their Outstanding Vocational Student. The son of Justin and Sheena Trenholm, Justin lives in Fall River and is graduate of Atlantis Charter School in Fall River, MA. He has participated in many community projects in shop where he displayed his vocational skills. Justin is currently employed as an auto reconditioning technician through Diman's Cooperative Education program at Carl's Collision in Fall River, where he previously held a position as an assistant to customer service and data entry. Justin’s future plans include remaining in his trade and applying to A.A.T.G. (Auto Appraiser Training Group) to obtain his Commonwealth of Massachusetts Automobile Damage Appraisers License.

Corbin Merkt | Automotive Technology

This year’s Outstanding Vocational Student for the Automotive Technology program is Corbin Merkt. A Fall River, MA resident, Corbin is a graduate of the Matthew J. Kuss Middle School, and is the son of Stephanie and Joseph Merkt. Corbin earned honors his freshman year while at Diman. Corbin is a member of SkillsUSA where he competed in the Automotive Service Technology contest. Corbin earned a second place finish in his sophomore year at the district competition, and a first place finish at the state competition his junior year, qualifying him for nationals where he scored in the top ten. Corbin was a member of the junior varsity baseball team his freshman year. Corbin is currently employed as a quick lane technician at Empire Ford in New Bedford, MA through our Cooperative Education Program. Corbin’s future plans include enrolling in the Ford ASSET program in New Hampshire.

Timothy Moura | Building and Property Maintenance

The Building and Property Maintenance Program is pleased to announce that Fall River’s Timothy Moura has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Tiverton Middle School, Timothy is the son of Paula and Brian Moura. He has earned honors all four years while at Diman. Timothy is employed as a Maintenance Technician through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at People Incorporated in Fall River, MA. Tim plans to continue his education and pursue a heavy equipment operator’s license.

Shantae Gillespie | Business Technology

Shantae Gillespie has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Business Technology Program. The daughter of Marsha Thompson, and Shaniel Gillespie, she lives in Fall River, MA and is a graduate of Morton Middle School. She has earned high honors in her freshman, and senior year, and honors her sophomore and junior year while a student at Diman. Shantae is a member of the National Honor Society. Shantae participated in Dual Enrollment her senior year and has been a Student Ambassador during her junior and senior year. She was a member of the Diversity Club her sophomore and senior year, and a member of the Glee Club her freshman year.  As a sophomore and junior Shantae was a member of the junior varsity soccer team.  Shantae is involved in her community by volunteering as a Student Ambassador, and volunteering her time with the American Cancer Society’s Greater Fall River Relay For Life, Salvation Army’s Clothe- A- Child, and A Wish Come True.  Shantae is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Apollo Safety in Fall River, MA as a marketing intern. Shantae plans on attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she will be majoring in marketing.

Jake Viveiros | Carpentry-Cabinetmaking

Jake Viveiros of Fall River, MA has been named the Carpentry-Cabinetmaking Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Espirito Santo School, Jake is the son of Jennifer and David Viveiros. He has earned honors during his freshman, sophomore and senior years and high honors his sophomore year while a student at Diman. Jake was also a member of the basketball team his freshman and sophomore year. Jake’s community service includes volunteering at Espirito Santo Church annual feast, where he works various booths over the Memorial Day weekend. Jake is employed at Walter Furman in Fall River, MA as part of Diman’s Cooperative Education Program. Jake’s future plans include staying in the construction trade or possibly pursuing a career as an electrician.

Michael Thompson | Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts Program is pleased to announce Michael Thompson of Fall River, MA as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Talbot Innovation Middle School, Michael is the son of the Nikki Nunes, and late Michael Thompson. He earned the Citizenship Award his senior year and the SkillsUSA Leadership Award his freshman year. Michael was named to the Principal’s List all four years while at Diman, and participated in the Dual Enrollment Program during his senior year. While at Diman Michael was a member of the Theater Club where he served as Vice- President this year. He was also a member of the Video Club his senior year, and Michael is the founding member of the Diman Grief Support Group.  As a sophomore and senior, Michael was a member of Diman’s Spring Track and Field team in his junior year, and he is currently a member of the Cross Country team. In his sophomore, and senior year, Michael competed in SkillsUSA’s Leadership Team and Prepared Speech. He also volunteered his time at the Greater Fall River Relay For Life’s Christmas Parade.  Michael’s future plans include enrolling in the Air National Guard and then continuing onto Bristol Community College.

Cynthiyana Mendez | Dental Assisting

The Dental Assisting Program is pleased to announce Cynthiyana Mendez of Fall River, MA as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of the Matthew J. Kuss Middle School, Cynthiyana is the daughter of Heather Levesque. Cynthiyana was a nominee for the Fall River Youth of the Year Award. As a senior Cynthiyana participate in Dual Enrollment. Cynthiyana is a member of the Gay, Straight Alliance/ Diversity Club, where she previously served as treasurer. Cynthiyana is the former Vice President of Student Government, she served as Student Ambassador, and served on the Student Handbook Committee. Cynthiyana has also participated in many community service projects, such as President of the Keystone Club, Mayor’s Youth Council, Boys and Girls Club, and Fall River Housing Authority where she organized food and clothes drive. Cynthiyana is also a member of SkillsUSA where she participate in the Fall Leadership Conference and earned third place in her leadership event. Cynthiyana was a member of the volleyball and softball teams her freshman year, and cross country her junior year. Through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program, Cynthiyana is employed at Dutchman Dental in Fall River, MA. Cynthiyana’s future plans include attending Bristol Community College to major in Psychology, where she hopes to become a counselor and work with children.

Nicholas Raposo | Drafting

This year’s Outstanding Vocational Student for the Drafting Program is Nicholas Raposo. A Westport, MA resident, Nicholas is a graduate of Westport Middle School, and is the son of Kerrie and Frank Raposo. Nicholas earned high honors all four years while at Diman. Nicholas is a member of the National Honor Society, and SkillsUSA where he competed in the Automated Manufacturing Technology competition junior and senior year. Nicholas earned a first place finish at the state competition his junior year, qualifying him for nationals where he scored in the top ten, and a first place finish again his senior year earning him another trip to the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.  Nicholas was a member of the football team his freshman and senior year, and spring track his freshman year. Nicholas is currently employed at Merida Studios in Fall River, MA through our Cooperative Education Program. Nicholas will be attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where he will major in Business

Jacob Furtado | Electricity

Fall River’s Jacob Furtado has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Electricity Program. A graduate of the Argosy Collegiate Charter School, Jacob is the son of Nicole and Neil Furtado. Jacob is the recipient of the Massachusetts Outstanding Vocational Student Award as well as earning the Excellence in Science award his freshman and junior year. He earned high honors all four years while at Diman. Jacob is a three season athlete and has been a member of the football team all four years, where he won the Captain and Coaches Award as well as being named Mayflower All- Star his junior year. He has also been a member of the baseball team all four years and a member of the basketball team all four years, where in his junior year he earned the Mayflower All-Star Award. He was also a nominee for the Collins Award.  He intends to continue on to college and pursue a career in public service as a firefighter or with the Massachusetts State Police.

Kyle Medeiros | Electronics

The Electronics Program is pleased to announce Kyle Medeiros of Fall River, MA as their Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of Argosy Collegiate Charter School, Kyle is the son of Diane and Arthur Medeiros. Kyle earned honors in his freshman year, high honors in his sophomore and junior year, and honors in his senior year while at Diman. Kyle was instrumental in his work on completing the hardware portion of the NASA Control Panel designed by the Electronics program for the Fall River Children’s Museum. He has helped the Electronics Program win the canned ford drive contest for several years by collecting food for those in need. Kyle’s plans include working as an engineer or technician in one of the military branches doing defense work.

Kayla Pacheco | Graphic Communications

Fall River resident Kayla Pacheco has been named the Graphic Communications Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of St. Stanislaus School, Kayla is the daughter of Leonia and Marc Pacheco. Kayla is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in the Dual Enrollment program. She has achieved high honors all four years while at Diman. Kayla has earned academic excellence in English Language Arts and Biology in her freshman and junior year, and academic excellence in Algebra 2 and honors World History in her junior year. In her sophomore year, she earned the METG Preliminary Theater Award for Best Actress in “Why Do We Laugh”? She has also placed in the top ten in her junior and senior year at MASS DECA Marketing Team Decision-Making Regionals, where she served as Vice President during her sophomore, junior, and senior year. She also earned first place in SBE re-certification in her senior year. Kayla was also a member of the Theater Arts Club all four years while at Diman. In her free time Kayla volunteers for Wish Come True. Kayla is employed by Carl’s Collision Center in Fall River, MA as a printer/printing Aid in the company’s print shop. Kayla plans to attend the University of Rhode Island Honors College, where she plans on majoring in Wildlife Conservation.

Jennifer Chan | Health Assisting

The Outstanding Vocational Student for the Health Assisting Program is Jennifer Chan. A Fall River resident, Jennifer is the daughter of Mom Ouy and a graduate of the Atlantis Charter Middle School. Jennifer has earned high honors all four years while at Diman. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Jennifer has been committed and involved at Diman by being on the Key Club during her sophomore year and participating in SkillsUSA where she earned a silver medal in her sophomore year and a gold medal at districts in her senior year. During her sophomore year she volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jennifer is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program in Fall River, MA at the People Incorporated as a teachers’ assistant. Jennifer’s will be attending Roger Williams University as a Biology major on a Pre Medical track.

Logan Sandbichler | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Program is pleased to announce that Logan Sandbichler, of Somerset, MA has earned their Outstanding Vocational Student Award.  Logan is the son of Lindsey and Jonathan Sandbichler.  Logan was homeschooled before entering Diman, and quickly earned the second highest exploratory placement score for the class of 2022. Logan is the recipient of the Malco “Head of the Class” Award, as well as the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of Massachusetts All-Star Award and Scholarship. Logan has achieved high honors all four years while at Diman.  Outside of school, Logan is a very active volunteer, speaker, mentor and Ministerial Servant-in training with his local congregation.  Logan is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at U.G. Nasons Heating, Cooling and Custom Metal in Middletown, RI as a Refrigeration Apprentice.  Logan will continue in his trade with U.G. Nasons and work to obtain both his Rhode Island and Massachusetts master refrigeration licenses.

Victoria Bradbury | Medical Assisting

Victoria Bradbury of Fall River, MA has been named the Medical Assisting Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of the Atlantis Charter School, Victoria is the daughter of Doreen and Robert Bradbury. She has earned honors during her freshman and senior years, and high honors her sophomore and junior years while a student at Diman. Victoria has been a member of the National Honor Society her junior and senior years. Victoria served as student Ambassador during her freshman and seniors year and has served as the student representative on the Medical Assisting Advisory Board during her junior and senior year. She is a member of SkillsUSA where she earned a gold medal at the district level in her sophomore year in Medical Assisting. Victoria is an active member of her community where she participates in the annual Polish Food Fest at Blessed Trinity Parish. Victoria is employed as an ophthalmic medical assistant at Center for Eye Health in Fall River, as part of Diman’s Cooperative Education Program. Victoria’s future plans include attending Emmanuel College where she will study pre-medical health studies.

Julia Louro | Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies

The Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies Program is pleased to name Julia Louro as their Outstanding Vocational Student. The daughter of Darlene and Marcel Louro, Julia lives in Westport, MA and is a graduate of the Argosy Collegiate Charter School. Julia earned honors her freshman year and high honors her sophomore year. Julia is a member of the Snowboarding Club and SkillsUSA where she earned a gold medal at the district level in her sophomore, junior, and senior year. She has also earned a bronze medal at the state level in the welding sculpture competition. Julia has been a member of the girls’ soccer team all fours years while at Diman. Julia has also participated in community service through the walk/bike for brain cancer awareness.  Julia is currently employed through Diman’s Cooperative Education Program at Deangelis Iron Works in Easton, MA as a fabricator. Julia plans to attend the University of Massachusetts, where she plans to major in Mechanical Engineering

Ethan Laforce | Plumbing

Ethan Laforce of Somerset, MA has been named the Plumbing Program’s Outstanding Vocational Student. A graduate of the Somerset Middle School, Ethan is the son of Stephanie and Mark Laforce.  As a student in the Plumbing program, Ethan has earned academic honors all four year. Ethan was a member of SkillsUSA during his sophomore year. He was a member of the hockey team where he earned Rookie of the Year his freshman year, All Scholastic Award his sophomore year, and All Star and MVP his senior year.  He is currently employed through the Cooperative Education Program at Emond Plumbing and Heating in Taunton, MA, as a plumbing apprentice. Ethan plans on attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he will major in Kinesiology.

Joseph Lariviere | Programming and Web Development

Fall River’s Joseph Lariviere has been named the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Programming and Web Development Program. A graduate of St. Michael School, Joseph is the son of Constance and Joseph Lariviere. While at Diman, he has taken two AP Computer Science courses. Joseph has also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. To achieve this rank he completed a service project for the  Freetown-Fall River State Forest where he marked a previously unmarked trail with a map board. Joseph’s plans include attending Bristol Community College where he will work on prerequisites for a major in Software Engineering.

Sonia M. Pereira | Licensed Practical Nurse 

Sonia M. Pereira is the Outstanding Vocational Student for the Licensed Practical Nurse Program. A Fall River, MA resident, Sonia is a member of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses. Sonia started her career as an Occupational Therapist where she worked 18 years with the geriatric population in a local Skilled Nursing Facility. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for patient care and advocacy and made the decision to pursue a career in nursing.  She looks forward to a rewarding career in the nursing field where she aspires to one day enroll into a bridge program and become a Registered Nurse.