NBHS Young Alumni Assocation formally launched

The Young Alumni Association is not a selective organization; all young alumni are encouraged to join.

The New Bedford High School Young Alumni Association was formally launched Monday at NBHS, where alumni were joined by School Committee Members Josh Amaral, Jack Livramento and Marlene Pollock.

Co-chaired by alumni Justin Braga ’12 and Melissa Isidor ’13, now both students at Brown University, the NBHSYAA will act as a service organization with members contributing on a volunteer basis to their alma mater. Aims of the NBHS Young Alumni Association include college and career advising from young alumni who have begun their post-high school careers attending colleges and universities, receiving technical training and joining the military, as well as serving as an advisory group to the administration for preparation of NBHS for postsecondary pathways.

Acting Headmaster Bernadette Coelho said the start of a new Young Alumni Association is encouraging. “I am pleased to see that the students who have begun their own college careers and their own promising futures have taken the time to come back, invest in New Bedford High School and serve as role models and mentors to our students,” she said.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said of the group, “I applaud Justin Braga and Melissa Isidor along with their fellow young alumni for spearheading this new service organization to not only support current students and recent graduates but also to highlight all of the positive work taking place at New Bedford High School.”

Superintendent Pia Durkin said, “Having successful young alumni return to New Bedford High School to form a Young Alumni Association is encouraging because it demonstrates their commitment to their alma mater. These alumni have earned the admiration of New Bedford Public Schools as a community.”

The Young Alumni Association is not a selective organization; all young alumni are encouraged to join. Members will be added to the association’s database and serve as resources for current students and administration. Members will also be added to an email list for future events held through the organization. Interested young alumni may sign up online at http://bit.ly/1w334ba or visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NewBedfordYAA.