Greater Lawrence Technical School is pleased to announce that 14 individuals will be enshrined in the School’s Hall of Fame, recognizing those who have excelled in sports or selflessly supported students on and off the field.
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 652 Andover St., Lawrence.
Inductees were selected by the School’s Hall of Fame Committee, which reviewed nominees for inclusion.
This year’s inductees are:
Steve Berard, Class of 1968, Athlete and Coach Nomination
Steve Berard played offensive and defensive tackle on the first varsity football team. He also participated in track and basketball. Coach Berard started his coaching career at Greater Lawrence in 1979 as a freshman football coach, and has coached football ever since, including serving as head coach from 1999 to 2004. He has been part of seven Super Bowl games and the School’s first Super Bowl championship in 1998. He also was part of two Large School State Vocational Championships and part of the School’s first Division 6 North Championship. Coach Berard has been nominated for the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year Award multiple times, being so honored in 2018. He also coached indoor track and spring track for multiple years. Coach Berard epitomizes what being a Reggie is all about. His commitment and time spent turning young men and women into ladies and gentlemen will have a lasting impact on the Greater Lawrence community for generations to come.
Matthew Buco, Class of 2011, Athlete Nomination
Matt Buco captured a pair of All-State and Division 2 state titles and was a two-time finalist at the New England tournament. The senior recorded 188 victories against 15 losses, ranking him among the top 20 wrestlers in wins all-time at the time of his graduation. Matt also finished his high school career by becoming an All-American, placing seventh in the national tournament.
Anne Marie Faris, Coach Nomination
Anne Marie Faris was an English teacher and Dean of Discipline at Greater Lawrence Technical School for more than 30 years. Coach Faris started the School’s cheerleading program, which she coached for more than 20 years. The tennis team also won numerous Commonwealth Athletic Conference Championships in her 30 years of leadership, including an undefeated season in 1988.
Lawrence Hester, Class of 1973, Athlete Nomination
Lawrence Hester participated in basketball, football and track during his time at Greater Lawrence Technical School. He still holds the basketball team record for most points scored in a career (945), most points in a 20-game season (588), and highest season average (29.4 points per game). He returned to the School in 1983, and served as assistant basketball coach until 1993.
Jessica Mercardo, Class of 2007, Athlete Nomination
Jessica Mercardo was the first girl basketball player to score 1,000 points. She played varsity basketball all four years. Jessica was league MVP in her senior year, and the first-team all-conference player her freshmen, sophomore and junior years. Additionally, The Eagle Tribune named her an All-Star her junior and senior year. She is a two-time vocational champ and helped her team reach the semifinals, the farthest any girls basketball team has gone in more than 25 years.
Juan Nieves, Class of 2004, Athlete Nomination
Juan Nieves wrestled all four years at Greater Lawrence Technical School and has coached the wrestling team for six years. His wrestling career was filled with honors: two undefeated seasons, two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star, four-time Commonwealth Athletic Conference champion, two-time Division 2 North Section Champion, Division 2 state champion at 112 pounds and four-time vocational champion. As an assistant coach, he helped lead the School to back-to-back, 50-0 state championship seasons. Nieves considers his proudest achievement to be becoming the program’s head coach.
James Qualter, Coach and Contributor Nomination
James Qualter was an equipment manager, physical education teacher and athletic director at Greater Lawrence. Additionally, he coached football, outdoor track, girls basketball and boys soccer for 30-plus years. Under his leadership, the girls basketball and outdoor track teams won numerous Commonwealth Athletic Conference Championships and MIAA tournaments.
James Quinlan, Class of 1976, Athlete Nomination
James Quinlan was a soccer player and wrestler at GLTS. As the soccer team’s goalkeeper, James held an individual record of 10 shutouts. He was also selected for the All-Star Conference by the Northern League. As a wrestler, he was undefeated in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He returned to the School to teach plumbing and gas apprentices at night.
Mary Ringland, Contributor Nomination
For 29 years, Mary Ringland has been a constant in the cafeteria. Mary has spent her afternoons, evenings, weekends and vacations making sure athletes are always fed and prepared for their athletic endeavors. She has been involved in making sure every School event has been successful. GLTS student-athletes are fortunate to have someone like Mary who puts their nutrition needs first, and always does her best to ensure they are ready and energized to be at their best.
Joseph Soliman, Class of 2000, Athlete Nomination
Joseph Soliman was a three-sport star. He was an offensive-defensive starter on the varsity football team and played on the School’s first-ever undefeated team and first-ever Super Bowl winner. He also played defense on the School hockey team, serving as captain in his senior year. Coaches Anne Marie Faris and Doris Michaud consider Soliman the finest tennis player in School history. He captained the tennis team all four years, and was honored as a Commonwealth Athletic Conference All-Star each year. As a senior, he won the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Singles Championship and was named the League MVP.
Daniel Thompson, Class of 1999, Athlete Nomination
Daniel Thompson was a three-year starter on the varsity football team. He went to two Super Bowls, leading the Reggies to their first Super Bowl win as captain in his senior year. He is the only person in Greater Lawrence history to both play for and coach a Super Bowl team. Thompson also participated in indoor and outdoor track for four years, and was the league champion in shotput his junior and senior years.
Paula Thompson, Contributor Nomination
Paula Thompson has been a special contributor to the Reggies football team for the last 28 years. Her two sons played from 1993 to 1999. During this time, Paula became the Team Mom. To this day, current and former players still refer to her as “Mom Thompson or “Mama T.” During the 1993 season, she co-founded the Football Boosters Club. Paula is also the co-originator of the Football Golf Tournament, which has been renamed several times but still runs to this day.
Frank Vacirca, Contributor Nomination
As an English teacher, Principal, and Superintendent, Frank Vacirca was “The Voice of the Reggies,” proudly announcing every sporting event, every graduation and every awards ceremony. He was a strong supporter of the Athletic Department, which oversaw league and state champions. Superintendent Vacirca also was a driving factor in the completion of the School’s “new building” and its modern configuration.
Norline Walker, Class of 1979, Athlete Nomination
Norline Walker was part of the indoor and outdoor track teams during her time at Greater Lawrence Technical School. She was a Commonwealth Athletic Conference champion, league MVP in 1979, and an Eagle-Tribune All Star. Norline is also on the Eagle Tribune’s All-Time List for track (11.5 in the 100-yard dash). Norline returned to the School in 2004 as an advisory board member for Biotechnology.
“Congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame class,” Superintendent John Lavoie said. “The inductees contributed to many of the greatest moments in the School’s sports history. But we’re also recognizing those unsung heroes who showed their Reggie pride, and contributed to making Greater Lawrence Technical School the special place it is.”
Tickets for the ceremony may be purchased here.