Walpole Resident Nominated by Tri-County for Walter J. Markham Award

FRANKLIN - Walpole resident Kayla Hoyt, a senior at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, has been nominated for the state-sponsored Walter J. Markham Award.

The Markham Award is presented annually to a senior graduating from a vocational technical high school who has demonstrated leadership, good attendance and excellence in technical and academic studies. The award is sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and the Massachusetts Vocational Association.

Hoyt, the daughter of Tina and Harley Hoyt, is enrolled in Tri-County’s Early Childhood Careers program and plans to major in Early Childhood Education and Psychology at Bridgewater State University next fall. She plans to pursue a teaching career in elementary education, and may explore the field of special education.

During her junior year, Hoyt volunteered as an assistant teacher at Parmenter Elementary School in Franklin, and through Tri-County’s co-op program, she currently works as a soccer coach and birthday party leader at Fore Kicks Sports Complex in Norfolk.  She also works part-time at Kidville at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

“Career technical education has helped me grow so much as a person. It’s helped keep me organized because one week we’re in academics and then next we’re in shop. We don’t do the same things every day. It’s prepared me for what the world of work will be like,” said Hoyt.

“I’ve always been interested in working with children. I come from a family of nine kids, and in co-op, I work with kids of all ages, so I have an understanding of the developmental levels of children."

Hoyt has been an active volunteer, working as a leader at freshman orientation, at Tri-County’s annual Santa Breakfast, at Gillette Stadium, and at local retirement homes.

In addition to her work in the community, Hoyt is president of Tri-County’s National Honor Society chapter, secretary of the school’s SkillsUSA team, a member of the FIRST Robotics team, a four-year member of the Math team, and captain of the Track & Field team. 

She is the Student Representative on the Tri-County School Committee and has competed in the Early Childhood Careers category at SkillsUSA at the district and state level since her sophomore year.

“We chose Kayla as our nominee because she embodies what this award is all about.  She is an outstanding student, a great peer leader, and has had perfect attendance, which is quite an accomplishment,” said Scott O’Brien, grade 12 guidance counselor at Tri-County.

The winner of the Walter J. Markham Award will receive a $500 cash award to be used toward college tuition or for the purchase of tools or equipment. Each vocational and technical high school in Massachusetts submits one nominee and a winner is selected by a special award committee. 

The award is presented to commemorate Walter J. Markham who brought growth and improvements to the state vocational technical system as the Director of the Bureau for Vocational Education and then as the first Associate Commissioner for Occupational Education.

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 147 Pond St., Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham.