Construction continues behind Elmwood School, where workers are preparing to add modular classrooms. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Two of the three school construction projects that were approved at Town Meeting last year have begun, and the third is expected to start soon.

The town approved four modular classrooms for Elmwood and Hopkins and six permanent classrooms for the high school in an attempt to keep up with the steady increase in student enrollment.

Construction crews began excavation work at Elmwood and Hopkins in mid-June. According to superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, installation of the classrooms should start in mid-July, with the projects expected to be completed by mid-August.

The high school construction contract was expected to awarded on July 1, so the timing of the work there — classrooms added to the rear of the building — was not yet finalized.

“We are really excited to get the Elmwood and Hopkins classrooms open,” Cavanaugh wrote via email. “We certainly have the students to fill them!”

National Merit Scholars announced


Hopkinton High School seniors Matvey Ortyashov and Grace Ye were named winners of National Merit Scholarships. Ortyashov will study at Boston University while Ye will matriculate to Tufts University.

These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

Franchock earns Albright Presidential Scholarship

Jessica Franchock earned a $15,000 annual Presidential Scholarship to Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. A senior at Hopkinton High School, Franchock is interested in studying the Alpha program in college.

Albright College awards Presidential Scholarships, in the amount of $15,000 per year, to students with outstanding academic records. Presidential Scholars generally rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class and demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to service.

HHS trio honored for fundraising

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s fourth annual Students of the Year campaign featured 14 candidate teams, comprised of 26 extraordinary high school students, raising $131,847 to help find cancer cures.

Julia Lerner, Nishi Manikandan and Mei Sutherland of Hopkinton High School ran a highly successful fundraising campaign, raising $10,881 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in seven weeks. All students were recognized for their efforts at the organization’s virtual Grand Finale Gala on May 29.

Women’s Club announces scholarships

The Hopkinton Women’s Club, in its 100th anniversary year, awarded a total of $6,500 to students from the Hopkinton High School senior class. Scholarship winners were Mihika Abraham, Haley Auslander, Alexis Chason, Linnea Dean, Megan Kalmbach, Emmaline Kent, Rohan Krishnan, Max LaCascia, Tyler Rhodes, Jacob Sullivan, Maria Vasington and Callie-Rose Ronan, who received the Mary McDonough Community Service award.

MRMC awards scholarships

Milford Regional Medical Center recently awarded multiple scholarships to high school graduates who plan to pursue medical studies in college. One of the recipients was Thrusha Puttaraju of Hopkinton High School. Puttaraju, who plans to become a pediatrician, was one of three recipients of the Milford Regional Auxiliary Scholarship, worth $1,000.