Greater Lawrence Tech Students Created Vaccine Sculpture

ANDOVER, MA — A coronavirus vaccination-themed sculpture created by Greater Lawrence Technical School students was unveiled in Lawrence Tuesday.

City officials, school officials and students participated in the ceremony. The students created the sculpture to "remind the community of its fight against the COVID-19 virus and about the critical role vaccination plays in winning that fight."

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, City officials, School officials, and students participated in a ceremony to unveil the sculpture, created to remind the community of its fight against the COVID-19 virus and about the critical role vaccination plays in winning that fight.

“This is truly a sign that our students, our teachers, and our School Committee value the people of the City of Lawrence,” Superintendent John Lavoie said. “This really was a labor of love.”

Metal Fabrication Instructor Stephanie DiCecca sketched the design. About 10 juniors in the Metal Fabrication program worked alongside instructors to build the sculpture.

Mayor Kendrys Vasquez toured the school soon after taking office and was impressed by the quality of the programs at Greater Lawrence Technical School, he said. He was amazed by the conceptual designs for the sculpture.

The metal sculpture is heart-shaped with Plexiglass slats.

The slats represent the share of the Lawrence community fully vaccinated against the virus. New slats will be added as more people are vaccinated.

Currently, five slats have been inserted, for the 56 percent of the city's population with at least one vaccine shot.

“How tremendous would it be to see that heart filled to the top?” Mayor Vasquez asked.

The sculpture will be placed at the Pemberton Way entrance to City Hall, the door closest to the room where the city offers vaccinations, Lavoie said. Officials hope people will mark the occasion by getting their photos taken with the sculpture.

State Rep. Frank Moran thanked the students and school, explaining that the COVID pandemic has touched him personally; he lost his brother at age 53 to the virus.

Moran's brother is represented with one of the hundreds of empty chairs in the Empty Chair Memorial to Lawrence residents who have died from the virus at Campagnone Common Park.

Last fall the City dedicated the Empty Chair Memorial in Campagnone Common Park across from City Hall. Hundreds of empty chairs denote the hundreds of Lawrencians who have died from COVID-19. Moran said one of those chairs represents the passing of his brother, who died at age 53 from COVID.

Vasquez, Moran, and state Rep. Marcos Devers presented students Carlos Burgos, Orlendi Hernandez, and Brady Valliere with proclamations to thank them for their work.

“Not many people can say they did something at my age for a big cause like this,” Valliere said. “I hope this stands for something, and that people get vaccinated.”

“Small town kids can do big things,” Hernandez added.

Pictured above, left to right: Greater Lawrence Technical School Principal Susan Zielinski, District School Committee members Vivian Marmol, Frank Surillo, Anngybel Moreta and Zoila Disla, Superintendent John Lavoie, Metal Fabrication students Carlos Burgos and Brady Valliere, Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez, Metal Fabrication student Orlendi Hernandez, State Representative Frank Moran, and State Representative Marcos Devers.