The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School staff has selected Nicholas J. Rice, a Machine & Tool Technology senior from Carver, MA, to be the recipient for the Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award for 2008.

The state-wide award program recognizes outstanding vocational technical education students from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The award recognizes the excellence Nicholas has received in his academic studies, as well as technical competence in the Machine & Tool Technology Program.

Nicholas is active in volunteer work, school activities and music. He is a 3-year member of the National Honor Society and vice-president of the senior class. Nicholas has been a participant in the Co-Operative Education Program since his junior year at Cotter Machine, Inc., in Wareham, MA. He is an active member of Skills USA. Nicholas has been honored with the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship and awarded a Level II in NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills). He has been selected Student of the Month and for 3 years, participated in Destination Imagination, an organization that builds creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. He participated in Old Colony’s Math Team.

Nicholas serves as a Sunday School teacher, personal care attendant, summer camp counselor, a youth music teacher, and as a mentor for an autistic child in the community.

Nicholas’ future aspirations are to continue his work in Machine & Tool Technology, while he attends college to pursue a career in music. He has applied to Bridgewater State College.