College Students from Watertown Earn College Honors, Graduate

Students from Watertown earned honors at Lasell and Wisconsin, and graduated from Stonehill, and Texas. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities:

Honors

Lasell University

The Spring 2025 Dean’s List includes students who have completed at least 12 credits as a full-time student in that semester and have achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Georgy Arshakyan of Watertown MA

Kayleigh Dore of Watertown MA

Alicia Karunaratne of Watertown MA

Theo Jacobs of Watertown MA

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, initiated 101 students and 3 honorary members into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society this year, including Watertown’s Cecelia Maillis. 

The 105th Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, was held on April 27 in Tripp Commons; Evjue Centennial Professor Douglas McLeod was the keynote speaker speaking on “News Coverage of Social Protest in a Polarized Political Landscape.” Honorary membership was granted to three UW-Madison faculty/staff: McLeod of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Pete Keys, Associate Director for Admissions & Engagement for the College of Letters & Science Honors Program; and Diana Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes the achievements of the most outstanding students in every school and college at UW-Madison.

Local Students Launch “Unpacking History”: A Mobile Holocaust Memorial

The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston:

The Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston (JCDS) proudly invites the public to experience a unique and moving museum exhibit: Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial. Developed by the JCDS Class of 2025, this innovative traveling exhibit was created by teens, for teens to educate and inspire a new generation about the realities of the Holocaust. Sponsored by the renowned educational organization Facing History and Ourselves, Unpacking History approaches Holocaust education in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way. The exhibit aims to combat rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial by empowering young people to learn, reflect, and take a stand against hate. The exhibit features powerful storytelling, personal artifacts, and interactive elements, encouraging visitors to connect deeply with the past while considering their role in shaping a more just future. “This isn’t just a school project,” said one student curator. “It’s our response to a world where too many people are forgetting — or even denying — what really happened.

Chamber’s First Women’s Conference to Feature Lt. Gov. & Panel of CEOs

The keynote speaker for the Charles River Chamber’s first Women’s Conference will be Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Attendees will also hear from a panel of female CEOs and company presidents, as well as participate in power sessions. See more information in the announcement from the Chamber. MOMENTUM: Women in Business Celebrating & Creating Change

Friday, June 13, 2025 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM) (EDT)

Description

Connect. Empower.

Traffic Congestion Expected Due to Work at Mass. Pike / I-95 Interchange

Traffic congestion is expected in coming weeks due to construction at the Mass Pike/I-95 interchange over the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, the Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced. Lane closures will take place from May 30-June 2 and June 20-23. See more information provided by MassDOT, below. Rapid weekend construction of The Newton Weston Bridge Replacement Project on I-90 EB/WB at the I-95 interchange over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – MBTA bridge will impact your travel plans on May 30- June 2, and June 20-23. Those traveling in the Boston, Worcester, and the Framingham area should expect one lane of travel on I-90 EB/WB and MAJOR regional travel impacts on the roadway.

Local Artists’ Work to be Featured in Studios Without Walls 2025

Watertown artist Dawn Scaltreto and Watertown’s Arts & Culture Planner Liz Helfer will be part of the Studio Without Walls 2025, “Dream Along the River,” which takes place near the Longwood T station in Brookline. See more information provided by Studio Without Walls. Studios Without Walls 2025, 26th Annual Exhibition “Dream Along the River” 

Studios Without Walls has chosen 17 site specific sculptures in a remarkable variety of mediums, with a range of messages from equality to the environment, & social action. We have incorporated work by disabled artists from Gateway Arts, Boston Green Academy and the Community Academy of Science and Health. Bette Ann Libby’s “Dream Finder” will be part of Studio Without Walls 2025. Creating an oasis of art that enables the viewer to interpret, transform, heal, inform, relax and play among this unique collection.

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corp Seeks Young Musicians

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps

The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps has educated young people in how to play fife and drum since 1972. The group participates in events around New England, and seeks young musicians to be part of the Fife and Drum Corps. Find out more information about the group in the announcement provided by Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps. The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps was founded in 1972 in order to pass on New England’s fife and drum tradition to young musicians. The group’s repertoire consists of fife and drum music dating from the American Colonial Period to modern pieces written in the traditional style.

Volunteers Lent a Hand at the Watertown Housing Authority During Watertown Helps Out

The Watertown Housing Authority hostedannual Watertown Helps Out Day and got a hand from volunteers from C4 Therapeutics. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Housing Authority. On May 14th the Watertown Housing Authority participated in this year’s annual Watertown Helps Out Day, put on by the Watertown Community Foundation. The Watertown Housing Authority took part in the 2025 Watertown Helps Out, organized by the Watertown Community Foundation. We’re so grateful for the volunteers from C4 Therapeutics who came out to work alongside WHA staff to pick up trash, recycle used bulk items, dispose of household waste, landscape, make our parking lots safer, and add cosmetic upgrades to our buildings.

Hearing on Mt. Auburn St. Trees Rescheduled After Legal Determination

16″ DBH Honeylocust at 489 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. A public hearing on the fate of nine trees on and near Mt. Auburn Street was held on Wednesday. At the hearing, it appeared that the future of the trees was out of the hands of the City of Watertown, but a legal counsel’s determination has changed that and the hearing has been rescheduled. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Mount Auburn Street Tree Hearing Statement At the scheduled tree hearing on May 14, 2025, city staff indicated that the trees on Mount Auburn Street that are scheduled to be removed are not under the purview of the city’s Tree Warden.