Friday, October 3, 2025

10 Franklin High School Students Commended by National Merit Scholarship Corporation; 1 Named Semifinalist for Merit Scholar Award

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Maria Weber are pleased to share that a Franklin High School student was named as a Semifinalist for a National Merit Scholarship by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), while 10 fellow seniors were honored as Commended Students.

Those Franklin High seniors recognized as Commended Students by NMSC as part of its 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program include the following: Arden Meyer, Ridika Gandla, Aodhfionn Downs, Charles Nash, Krithi Rajesh, Emma Anderson, Arsh Tyagi, Jonathan Mabardy, Keshav Kumar and Pranava Ponvinayagan.
Ten students from Franklin High School were named Commended Students by National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Ten students from Franklin High School were
named Commended Students by
National Merit Scholarship Corporation


They join about 34,000 Commended Students from throughout the country who are now being honored by NMSC for their exceptional academic promise. They were originally identified from a group of 50,000 top finishers in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, also known as the Preliminary SAT, serving as the initial screen of program entrants.

In addition to the Commended Student honorees, Franklin High School senior Gavin Warnakulasooriya was named as a Semifinalist for a National Merit Scholarship after taking the Preliminary SAT.

Franklin High School senior Gavin Warnakulasooriya was named as a Semifinalist for a National Merit Scholarship
Franklin High School senior
Gavin Warnakulasooriya
was named as a Semifinalist
for a National Merit Scholarship

NMSC recently named more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, who each have an opportunity to further demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership in an application for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million, along with the title of Merit Scholar. (More than 1.3 million juniors took the Preliminary SAT last year, meaning the nationwide pool of semifinalists represents about 1% of U.S. high school seniors.)

NMSC congratulated all of its Semifinalists and Commended Student honorees.

"These students represent a valuable national resource," according to a statement from NMSC. "Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Maria Weber congratulated Franklin High School's 10 Commended Students and its National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

"I am thrilled to see our students acknowledged for their dedication, hard work and achievements," Principal Weber said. "Their accomplishments in the classroom are inspiring and demonstrate their outstanding potential. Congratulations to Gavin, Arden, Ridika, Aodhfionn, Charles, Krithi, Emma, Arsh, Jonathan, Keshav and Pranava. I’m excited to see the great things they will do next in their academic careers and beyond.”

"We are immensely proud of our Franklin High School seniors who earned recognition from NMSC as a Commended Student or National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist," said Superintendent Giguere. "These academic achievements are a demonstration of the drive, hard work, and talents of our students. We're grateful that they are all now being celebrated for these accomplishments."

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Since its founding, NMSC has recognized over 3.4 million students and provided some 451,000 scholarships worth over $1.8 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation’s respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.

Franklin Middle School Reading - a work in progress !!!

"Welcome to our work on progress

Looking at this reminds me how far we've come in just a few short weeks. So much thought has gone into this reorganization and the library is no exception. We will have a fully functional library - one exclusively for middle schoolers! - before you know it (or, you know, November-ish.)

Stay tuned!!!"

Franklin Middle School Reading - a work in progress !!!
Franklin Middle School Reading - a work in progress !!!

Click through to view the reel (video) on Instagram -> 

Paint Night at Franklin Food Pantry with Painting Venus - Oct 9

Paint Night at Franklin Food Pantry with Painting Venus - Oct 9
Paint Night at Franklin Food Pantry
with Painting Venus - Oct 9
"Hello community!

There is still time to sign up!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to bring some friends and have a night out"




Have you considered Sponsoring the 14th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot ???

You can support the Franklin Food Pantry by sponsoring the annual Franklin Turkey Trot taking place on Thanksgiving morning. 
Have you considered Sponsoring the 14th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot ???
Have you considered Sponsoring
the 14th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot ???

Last year, nearly 1,000 people participated in the Franklin Turkey Trot. By becoming a sponsor, you can gain valuable name recognition for your business while supporting an important cause. 

For more information, visit the Franklin Food Pantry’s website or email Jen Johnson, Development Associate, at jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org

Please note the deadline for guaranteed full sponsorship benefits is October 30, 2025.

Note: I am a proud sponsor of the Turkey Trot as Franklin Matters


More Poor Norfolk County Decision-making

Dear Norfolk County Resident,

RE:         More Poor Norfolk County Decision-making
More Poor Norfolk County Decision-making
More Poor Norfolk County Decision-making

Long a hallmark of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds modernization initiatives and plans, the Registry of Deeds’ Disaster Recovery or DR Office located on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Dedham, MA was permanently closed in early July of 2025. Citing their own need for storage space, the Norfolk County Commissioners, Joseph Shea, Peter Collins and Richard Staiti voted on January 15, 2025 to move the Registry’s DR office, which at times functioned as a satellite office, to an antiquated teachers’ lounge located on the second floor of a building at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA. At the time of the vote, assurances were made by Norfolk County Director John J. Cronin and the County Commissioners that the Registry’s current DR site would not be decommissioned until the new site located at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School was ready and operational.  This did not happen.  The land records of Norfolk County residents and Registry operations have been left vulnerable and unprotected as a result.  Ironically on the way to the meeting before any vote had taken place workers were observed stripping the Registry of Deeds signs of the DR location.  Whatever County Director John J. Cronin wants gets rubber stamped.  The closing of the Registry DR office was a done deal before any vote even occurred.

In existence since 2011, the Registry DR office was an offsite location containing all of the computer hardware, software, and technology necessary for a modern-day registry where Registry business could continue uninterrupted in the event of a business continuity interruption.  As a vital component to our local economy, serving as an important revenue stream for state and local governments and community preservation act projects, Registry operations and business must continue. Also, private sector real estate sales and the legal records to your home must be protected at all times.  The Registry of Deeds remained open and operational every day throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in part because of its Disaster Recovery Office.

At the Norfolk County Commissioners June 25, 2025 meeting County Director John J. Cronin stated the DR office in Walpole was operational.  How can it be operational when it does not have a Certificate of Occupancy from the Town of Walpole?  How can the public needs of the those who depend on the Registry of Deeds be served when the DR office in a former smoking lounge on the second floor of a dated building is not accessible to those with disabilities?

It is outrageous that these decisions get made by Norfolk County government.  It is incompetence that in an era of cybersecurity scams and risks there is NO DR office with a certificate of occupancy because of unsound decisions made by elected and appointed officials of your Norfolk County government.

Registry management visited the new site at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School in June of 2025. The former teachers’ lounge located in an old building was inaccessible as the elevator was not working and appeared to lack signage and other access elements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The doors to the room as well as a bathroom did not appear to meet basic accessibility standards. I brought the apparent deficiencies to the attention of the County Chief Information Officer, who commented that he would “get back” to me on the issues. As the County CIO did not get back to me on the accessibility issues, I brought the accessibility issues to the County Commissioners and County Director John J. Cronin by letter dated June 18, 2025. To date the County Commissioners have not responded to me about these accessibility concerns.  However, according to the Town of Walpole’s Building Commissioner the former teachers’ lounge lacks a Certificate of Occupancy and the site must be AAB compliant (M.G.L.c.22s.13A the Architectural Access Board issues regulations ensuring public buildings and facilities are accessible to and functional for, and safe for use by persons with disabilities).

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

William P. O’Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds 

Richard Shindell Concert scheduled for Oct 18 at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is CANCELED


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Due to a family emergency, Richard Shindell has canceled his tour and will not be performing on Oct. 18th at the Circle of Friends. If you have already purchased tickets, you will receive a refund through PayPal.  


Come hear the Celtic band RUNA on November 15th and Ellis Paul on December 6th.  You can view the full schedule at Circlefolk.org.

 

Copyright © 2025 Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, First Universalist Society
262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA 02038

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Richard Shindell Concert scheduled for Oct 18 at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is CANCELED
Richard Shindell Concert scheduled for Oct 18 at
the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is CANCELED


Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, October 3, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.


Be sure to tune in this week as Talking the Blues treats you to an interview with Danielle Miraglia. Danielle is a local blues artist who brings a level of energy to her performances few can match. With a thumpin' thumb and a stompin' foot, she is the cure for what ails ya'! 

There's also plenty more to hear from Marcus King to Sidney Bechet, Big Head Todd to Django Reinhardt, Talking the Blues will turn you inside out!

Talkin' the Blues will move and shake you this week.


11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, October 3, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Leigh Schoberth
8:30 am Frank's Musings: Gaza
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: James Johnston
11:00 am Senior Connection: Ariel Doggett
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Italian Sausage
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
4:00 pm 4th of July 2025: Joanna Connor
7:30 pm Jake Auchincloss Town Hall

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25
8:30 am Mental Health: Mithun Pasham
9:30 am Public School Event: FHS Pops Night 05-09-18
1:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
2:00 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18
3:30 pm FHS Varsity Football v Brockton 09-19-25
9:00 pm Franklin Footlighters: High School Musical Jr.

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 09-25-25
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 09-25-25

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Candidate Audio Recordings: Caroline Griffith & Gene Grella

FM #1524 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1524 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Council candidate Caroline Griffith. We had our conversation virtually via Zoom on Thursday, September 25, 2025. 


The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link ->  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1524-town-council-candidate-caroline-griffith-09-25-25/


--------------


Caroline Griffith

Phone ->    706-424-1874

Email ->  caroline.w.griffith@gmail.com  



Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RCEEl6uyqI 


--------------------------------

FM #1525 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1525 in the series.


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Council candidate Gene Grella. We had our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, September 29, 2025. 


The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1525-town-council-candidate-gene-grella-09-29-25/


--------------


Gene Grella

Phone ->    508-878-1154

Email ->  mailto:gene.p.grella@gmail.com 


Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UeeffDhuM4 



--------------------------------

2025 Franklin Election Collection ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/election-collection-2025.html 


Video playlist for all candidates -> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL2XKlvMgLAm3YOh0r7csln4dpZ5MN-ul 



What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, October 2, 2025 ??

Thursday, October 2
Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events

4:00pm Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:30pm LGBTQ Alliance Halloween Party (Franklin TV Studio)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (FUSF)

For additional details on Library events ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->        

**   Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Commission of Disability

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022025-1931 


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/506?fileID=6550 



------------

What's happening in Franklin, MA
What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar