Chelmsford Teen Nominated For State Award

CHELMSFORD, MA — A Chelmsford teen was nominated to the Massachusetts Vocational Association's Walter J. Markham Award.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School nominated Jonathan Ngaruiya of Chelmsford.

Each technical school nominates a graduating senior who exhibits leadership, good attendance, and excellence in technical studies and academic achievement. The statewide winner of the award receives $500 cash.

Jonathan is in the Programming and Web Development program and is a high-honors student, a freshman mentor and a onetime participant in the RYLA Leadership Conference, according to the school.

He is in Dual Enrollment, taking college courses for credit toward a degree in computer science. He also posts artwork on social media "@retrofiction" in an effort to help people support their artist friends.

“I’m really honored to have been nominated for the award,” Jonathan said. “Since my introduction to high school, I’ve kept my eyes laser-focused on working as hard as I can, so it’s incredibly satisfying seeing it pay off. I’m also incredibly grateful to the staff at Nashoba Tech. They’ve treated me incredibly well and have always pushed me to be my best self. It’s incredibly heartwarming, and I’m filled with appreciation every time I interact with them.”