Swampscott Student Talents On Display At Open House

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The many academic, artistic and innovative talents of Swampscott High Schools were on display at a recent open house.

The open house was primarily for eighth-grade students and their families considering where to attend high school next year, but was also open to the community at large.

Principal Emily Zotto said the open house was run like a fun conference, with students and families having the ability to choose their own adventure.

Activities and presentations included those on advanced manufacturing, business and finance, music and the arts, athletics, English and math, and technology and innovation.

"We stressed the three main objectives for our school: a culture of excellence, creating opportunities, and enhancing our school community identity and spirit," Zotto said.

A club and activities fair included the math team, environmental club, student council, Anti-Defamation League, amateur radio club, international cultures and traditions club, interact club (community service) and others. Each of the athletic teams was also there with a display table.

There was a student-run bake sale and the SHS band played in the atrium, followed by a choral performance in the auditorium.

Attendees learned about the two Innovation Pathways SHS has up and running in the curriculum across four years – Business and Finance and Advanced Manufacturing – with a third, Media Arts and Design, in development.

A live TV production included a sound engineer, newscaster, and meteorologist – with a satellite crew live in the atrium, where the broadcasters included them as part of the segment.

"This event was a home run for SHS and our district as a whole," Superintendent Jason Calichman said. "Emily and her team did an amazing job shining the school in the best possible light and showing students and families all the opportunities available to them."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)