On Sunday over 3,400 students graduated from Tufts University

According to information from Tufts, the university awarded 1,496 undergraduate degrees and 1,949 graduate degrees.

One of Sunday’s degree recipients was Jim Boyd, 71, former television reporter for Channel 5 News.

Graduates attend Sunday morning’s Tufts University 157th Commencement ceremony held on the Medford/Somerville campus. Photo by Matthew Modoono for Tufts University.

Tufts Medical students celebrate on graduation day. Photo by Kelvin Ma, Tufts University.

Tufts commencement speaker Claude Steele. Photo by Kelvin Ma, Tufts University.

- InsideMedford.com

After months of work with professional artistic David Fichter, a mural depicting the history of the Mystic River was unveiled at the Andrews Middle School on Friday.

“River Life” depicts the Mystic from a historical, social and ecological perspective and hangs on an exterior wall of the school building less than 200 yards from the Mystic.

Along with Fichter, Andrews art teacher Peter Gallagher worked on the mural tirelessly with his students. Members of the community also contributed during an open paint day in March. Generous donations from the public and businesses also helped make the project possible.

More information about the mural and photos from Friday’s unveiling are on the Andrews Middle School website.

- InsideMedford.com

Join the Medford High School Alumni Association!

Our first meeting is Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 7pm in Room V222 at MHS (across from the girls locker room).

Anyone is welcome to attend!

About the MHS Alumni Association

The newly formed Medford High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) is seeking the help of all Medford High School alumni in starting our organization.

The MHSAA’s mission is to support the current generation of Medford High School students and create a networking base among all alumni.

All Medford High School Alumni are welcome. We would like all MHS class reunion boards and any interested alumni to contact us via email.

Contact and further information:

Email: mhsalumni@medford.k12.ma.us
Twitter: Follow us on Twitter @mhsalumniassoc
Facebook: “Like” us on Facebook at Medford High School Alumni Association

- Information from Dan Costello

Newly appointed Energy and Environment Director Alicia Hunt has wasted no time in her new position. Hunt has announced several “green” initiatives taking place in Medford.

On May 4, during the Medford Square clean up, the city announced its second annual Green Awards program that recognizes “businesses and residents in the community committed to improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and other sustainable actions that help improve Medford.”

More information about the Green Awards is available on the city website.

On Wednesday the city announced it is receiving two grants totaling $400,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The money will be used to clean up a municipal parking lot in West Medford Square that was contaminated by a dry cleaning business.

Finally, Hunt announced a solar energy workshop is taking place on Wednesday, May 22 to educate residents and businesses about solar electricity.

- InsideMedford.com

On May 23, the Delvena Theatre Company will present “Meet Julia Child”, at the Medford Public Library.

This is the final event in the 2013 Community Read. Right after the show, the actors will judge the Great Julia Child Impersonation Contest. Prizes will be awarded.

To sign up, call the library at 781-395-7950 or come to the show, which is taking place at 7:00PM.

- Information from Medford Public Library. Photo from Julia Child Foundation

Medford Youth Girls Softball (MYGS) will award two $500 scholarships to individuals who are 2013 graduating high school seniors and have played in MYGS.

The award will be based on an application and a one-page essay on the following question: How has playing Medford Youth Girls Softball positively influenced your life?

The applicant must mail a completed application to:MYGSP.O. Box 1015Medford, MA 02155Applications must be recieved by May 27.

The applications can be found at www.medfordsoftball.org under the documents section.

For more information, email MYGS @ MedfordYouthGirlsSoftball@gmail.com.

- Information from Medford Youth Girls Softball

- Allison Goldsberry

The Medford High School girls varsity softball team earned a convincing 8-2 victory over Catholic Central League Champion Arlington Catholic on Thursday.

“It was the seventh win in eight tries for the Greater Boston League leaders and was a nice win after losing to the Lady Cougars earlier in the season,” said Head Coach Jack Dempsey.

Freshman pitcher Ashley Eisnor once again pitched a strong game, striking out ten Cougars while allowing only two runs, five hits, and one base on balls. Sam LoPilato contributed two hits and two RBI’s while Lauren Walsh had two hits and two RBI’s. Brianna Napoleone had two hits, two runs, and a pair of RBI’s. Christina Lynch contributed a hit and two RBI’s, Sarah Donnelly had a double and an RBI, and Hannah O’Brien and Bailey Flynn each had a single.

Medford is 7-5 heading into Friday’s home game against Framingham.

- Allison Goldsberry

After a 3-1 road win over Malden on Thursday, the Medford High School boys varsity baseball team is at least guaranteed a share of the Greater Boston League title.

The Mustangs have not won the league since 2001. Medford is now 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the GBL.

“Another solid team win! I can’t say enough about the character of this team,” said Head Coach Mike Nestor. “Our team has been under the radar all year and that’s how we like it. We know that we are capable of making some noise and doing some damage in the state tourney.”

If Everett defeats Somerville and Cambridge, the Crimson Tide will share the league title with Medford.

Junior pitcher Ryan Covelle pitched a complete game for Medford, striking out thirteen Malden batters and allowing only four hits. The only run of the game was unearned in the last inning. Covelle managed to get his team out of a bases loaded situation to clinch the win for the Mustangs.

“Ryan Covelle has showed time and time again the he’s one of the top pitchers in the state! He stay composed through the whole game and didn’t let the game speed up on him,” said Coach Nestor.

Kevin Andrew banged a triple and had a run scored while Sean Doncaster had a double and run scored, according to assistant coach Ryan Kozul. John Lavoie added an RBI.

Medford finishes up the regular season with Matignon, Stoneham, and Lexington. The Mustangs’ last home game is with Stoneham on Monday, May 20th.

The Mustangs already qualified for the state tournament and will be awaiting tournament seedings.

Coach Nestor credited the coaching staff for helping the team succeed this season.

“I would really like to thank my coaching staff,” said Nestor. “With the addition of John Mcgonagle as third base coach, and Ryan Kozul as advance scout, Ryan Burke as catching instructor and Orazio Azzarello as pitching coach, we have worked extremely well together and constantly bounce ideas of each other. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today! The hours they put in are incredible.”

Ryan Covelle

Sean Doncaster

Kevin Andrew

The team rushes the mound after Covelle gets the win

Tufts University held a special commencement ceremony on Tuesday night for seniors on the women’s softball team. The Jumbos will have to miss their graduation on Sunday because they will be competing in the NCAA Division III College World Series.

Alyson Moskowitz, A13, Rebecca Dibiase, A13, Emily Beinecke, A13, and Elizabeth Pinzino, A13, pose for a photo with Tufts University President Anthony P. Monaco and Trustee Varney Hintlian, A72, during the special softball team Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Elizabeth Pinzino, A13, Alyson Moskowitz, A13, Rebecca Dibiase, A13, and Emily Beinecke, A13, applaud their families and friends during the special ceremony.

- Information from Tufts University. Photos by Alonso Nichols for Tufts.

The Friends of the Mystic River would like to send a special thanks to volunteers, sponsors, and the City DPW for joining us in our 18th annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup event on April 27. Friends of the Mystic has been working for the enjoyment, protection and enhancement of the Mystic River in Medford since 1995 and we depend on volunteers and community support. Please visit our 2013 business sponsors: Shaw’s, Super Stop & Shop and Bertucci’s Restaurant.

Note that our Mystic River Fall Cleanup will take place on Saturday, September 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Condon Shell park on Route 16.

See you on the Mystic!

Mary Werowinski
President, Friends of the Mystic River
Medford

A tire and the remains of a shopping cart were among the items pulled from the Mystic River by Bob Paine during the Friends of the Mystic River Spring Cleanup. Courtesy photo.

Maria Scott and Neil Osborne participated in the cleanup along with their daughter Drexel Osborne. Courtesy photo.