The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) has instituted a new program to award $3,000 college scholarships to selected high school seniors, beginning with three graduates from the Class of 2026:
- Deliyah Fortes, Mashpee Middle-High School
- Ari Levine, Hopedale Junior-Senior High School
- Gavin Tramontozzi, Medway High School
Every year, the association will present the M.A.S.S. Senior Student Leadership Scholarship Award to a student from the school district led by the M.A.S.S. President. Two of the first scholarships were awarded in honor of the current and past M.A.S.S. Presidents, respectively: Karen Crebase, Superintendent of Hopedale Public Schools, and Dr. Armand Pires, Superintendent of Medway Public Schools.
“Our work is ultimately about ensuring student success,” said Mary Bourque, Ed.D., Executive Director of M.A.S.S. “We are thrilled to support three outstanding graduates from the Class of 2026 with these scholarships. They have demonstrated impressive leadership skills in their schools and in their communities, and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future.”
The inaugural recipients of the scholarships are the following graduating seniors:
Deliyah Fortes, Mashpee Middle-High School
Deliyah Fortes is the 2026 recipient of the Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Award. She maintains a 103.68 weighted grade point average while taking a full schedule of Advanced Placement courses. Deliyah has earned the Yale Book Award, AP Scholar Award, and the Harold P. Collins Award. She has served as the student representative to the School Committee and in leadership roles in the Human Rights Club and the Red Cross Youth Club. Deliyah is also a member of multiple honor societies including National Honor Society, and the National English, Math, and Art Honor Societies.
Deliyah is also a scholar-athlete who has competed in field hockey, tennis, winter cheer, and lacrosse.
Deliyah plans to pursue a career in business or law. She has been accepted into several colleges but has not yet decided among them.
Ari Levine, Hopedale Junior-Senior High School
Ari Levine is an accomplished student-athlete who plans to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after graduation. He has served as President of the LOOP Peer Mentoring Program, Vice President of the Spanish Honors Society, and a member of the National Honor Society and Math National Honor Society. Ari also volunteers as a tutor, student representative to the School Committee, and School Council member. He is often selected to give tours of the school, including visits from the NEASC accreditation team and Superintendent search candidates.
Ari has excelled on the Track & Field Team, serving as Captain this year, competing in shot put, discus, and javelin, and setting four school records. Ari is a three-time Most Valuable Player, four-time Field Athlete of the Year, two-time Athlete of the Meet, three-time Central Massachusetts All-Star, 12-time Conference All-Star, and 10-time Conference Champion. His achievements have been featured in the Milford Daily News and on WCVB Channel 5.
Gavin Tramontozzi, Medway High School
Gavin Tramontozzi has distinguished himself through extensive involvement in Scouting and community service. As an Eagle Scout and former Senior Patrol Leader, Gavin has devoted years to developing the values of responsibility, teamwork, and service to others.
For his Eagle Scout project, Gavin planned, organized, and delivered emergency preparedness buckets to every classroom in the Medway Public Schools. Each bucket contains critical supplies intended to support students and staff during an emergency or prolonged lockdown. This initiative required significant fundraising and coordination with school administrators, volunteers, and community partners. Gavin’s efforts will make a lasting contribution to the safety and well-being of the district.
Gavin plans to attend college after graduation and is still exploring options.