A group 30 students all from Farewell for Students from Piauí, Brazil in black graduation caps and gowns. All holding their completion certificates and awards.

Farewell for Students From Piauí

WORCESTER – Thursday, October 17th, 2024 – A memorable and meaningful closing ceremony was held for students from Brazil who are concluding a four-week learning experience at Worcester Technical High School.

Worcester Tech hosted 30 students from the state of Piauí, Brazil — whose governor toured the school last year because he is interested in growing the career technical education model at schools there.

For four days a week, the students rotated through the following career technical education programs at the school: Information Support Services, Web Development, Marketing/Business Management and Robotics

“My experience at Worcester Technical High School, as well as the city as a whole, was incredible.” said Willian Rafael, a Piauí student. “I have collected various good fruits [skills and experiences] since my coming here. … Knowledge that will forever be with me.

Piauí students held their own showcase recapping their experiences at the school and exploration of Massachusetts at the ceremony. The students also received a completion certificate from the City of Worcester, as well as Exemplary Awards presented by Worcester Tech teachers.

“Our students now have the opportunity to think of the future, to come and do a study abroad, ... do a college or Masters, PhD, or Doctorate,” said Alan Jheyson, a Piauí teacher in the study abroad program. For each group of students, there was also a teacher from Piauí who joined them.

Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Thais Ligo, Director of Invest Piauí USA, also gave speeches of appreciation.

Professor Paulo Henrique Pinheiro, Superintendent of Professional and Technological Education in Piauí, delivered closing remarks, offering words of encouragement and highlighting the significance of ongoing learning and international collaboration.

Additionally, Color Guard USA and Framingham High School students were in attendance at this commemoration. An additional group of students from Piauí also spent time at Framingham High School.

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