Westfield Technical Academy

The Westfield Technical Academy’s Aviation Maintenance Program showed its appreciation to Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts in Southwick in a way that only it could, by offering a thank-you ride in a 1942 Stearman bi-plane to owner Shane Murphy.

Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts celebrated 50 years in business on July 12.

“Mrs. Murphy’s has been a staple of our community for 50 years, constantly giving back to Southwick, Westfield and the local public schools. Most recently, Shane generously donated all the donuts, pastries, muffins, and coffee for this year’s Westfield Technical Academy Aviation graduation ceremony,” said AMT instructor Scott Hepburn, adding, “This flight is our program’s way of giving them some well-deserved recognition for half a century of community support.”

Hepburn and his brother Ed Hepburn, who was present for the occasion, have a long association with Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts, having worked there for many years in their youth, along with their sisters and nieces.

They originally offered the flight to Rose Murphy, who passed it to her daughter, Shane, who now runs the business with two of her children. Rose was on hand to see her daughter take off. “I could not do that, but she loved it and thought it was such a great opportunity,” she said, adding, “This is better than Six Flags.”

Ken Dromgold, president of the AMT advisory board and owner of the vintage WWII trainer, piloted the flight. He said the plane started as a Naval trainer, and after the war, spent some years as a crop duster, as many retired planes did.

Dromgold said he got the plane six years ago and has restored it a few times, keeping everything original, although he did recently put a new wooden propeller on the radial engine. He called the plane pretty rugged but said it has taught a lot of people to fly.

Now Dromgold’s goal for the plane is to “keep it looking good and give rides.” He flies veterans and auctions off rides for charities. Hepburn said Dromgold also flies every student in the AMT program every year.

WTA’s aviation program gives thank you ride to Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts owner The Westfield Technical Academy’s Aviation Maintenance Program showed their appreciation to Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts in Southwick in a way that only it could, by offering a thank you ride in a 1942 Stearman bi-plane to owner Shane Murphy.

Westfield Technical Academy sophomore Elias Layng returned home with a bronze medal and great memories from the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, which was held the first week of June.

Layng, who was accompanied by his Information System Support and Networking Instructor E. Scott Lockwood and WTA’s SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor Angel Arenas Nieves, earned the trip after winning the gold medal in Internet of Things in the Massachusetts SkillsUSA competition.

“Eli did great at the competition. He won Bronze in the IOT [Internet of Things] category, which is awesome. He’s excited to go back next year and win gold. I think it was a great trip and an awesome experience for all of us,” Lockwood said.

This is the third year in a row that WTA earned a gold medal in the state competition in Internet of Things and went on to compete at nationals. Brady LePage, who graduated in 2026, also won gold at nationals two years in a row.

WTA sophomore earns bronze at national SkillsUSA comp Westfield Technical Academy sophomore Elias Layng returned home with a bronze medal and great memories from the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, held the first week of June.

One last message from Mr. Hastings!

I am now officially a retired person! The last 4 years at Westfield Technical Academy have been amazing!! The staff and students truly make it “THE PLACE TO BE”. Special thanks to the admin and counselors for being the best support staff a principal could have. Time for me to keep “Trucking” in life with Cheryl, Mikhaila, Matthew and Steve. 40 years in education….”what a long strange trip it’s been”!!!

Check out the locations below to access free lunches through August 26th! Happy summer!

Over a decade ago, Westfield Technical Academy began offering an aviation technology program to its students — the only one in western Massachusetts. Now, a gift from a local supporter is allowing these students to take what they’ve learned to the next level, and the program is showing their appreciation.

When you think of transportation at schools, your mind may go to buses, cars, or even bicycles. But how about a brand-new multi-engine airplane?

“Tremendous opportunity for our students to gain access to twin engine aircraft. To better align ourselves with the FAA curriculum,” said Career Technical Education Director at Westfield Tech’s Peter Taloumis.

This Cessna 310 multi-engine aircraft was donated to Westfield Tech’s aviation program to help students get real-world experience working with a complex airplane. Benjamin Surner, a former pilot himself for fifty years, donated the plane after a heart condition legally forced him to stop flying — $100,000 seemingly down the drain, “under the FAA medical conditions I couldn’t get reissued my medical, so therefore I could not fly the airplane legally anymore.”

So, after letting the plane sit around for a bit, a phone call was made.

“Approached one of our instructors at the academy and said, hey, I have an airplane and I know you have an aviation department. Could you connect me with that person? And it happened to be me,” said the Department Head of Westfield Technical Academy Aviation Program Galen Wilson, “It’s a brand-new toy. And it’s tight. It’s ready to go. Matter of fact, we could jump in this airplane right now and fly it. It’s that ready to go.”

We didn’t take it for a spin of course, but students in the program confirmed it was ready through training today. They went through maintenance and inspection procedures, while learning about the engine systems and operational components in the plane,

“Working around planes, like, it makes me excited to see what I could do in the future,” said Westfield Tech student Korena Bradley.

So, what influenced Surner to donate it to a high school of all places?

“I graduated from Framingham Vocational High School back in 1959, and as an automotive mechanic, so I am a big fan of trade schools,” Surner said, “I just look at these kids, and I think back to where I was, and I think it’s great. It just makes me feel very good.”

As good as he was feeling, the students wanted to show their appreciation and make him feel even better. You see, Surner flew with a plushie of M.J. from Looney Tunes for fifty years. So, students put a sticker on the plane’s side — with Surner’s name and picture of the frog to commemorate him.

Even though he was giving up his plane, his legacy continued on.

Westfield Tech students soaring with donated plane A gift from a local supporter is allowing these students to take what they’ve learned to the next level

On Friday, June 12, the Westfield Technical Academy Manufacturing Technology 10th and 11th grade classes visited Mazak Corporation and Spectrum Machine & Design, LLC in Windsor Locks, CT.

At Mazak, students attended a presentation by Stan Demke, Regional General Manager of the Mazak Northeast Technical Center, who shared the company's history and his career journey from machinist to industry leader. Students then toured the sales floor, which was set up like a trade show, with machinists providing live demonstrations of advanced manufacturing equipment. The interactive format allowed students to observe cutting-edge technology in action and ask questions directly to industry professionals.

The group then visited Spectrum Machine & Design, where owners Gary and Connie Poesnecker, along with their team—including former and current WTA Manufacturing Technology students—welcomed us for a facility tour. Students learned about career opportunities in the machining industry and had the chance to engage with working professionals throughout the visit.

Following the tour, Gary and Connie generously treated the group to a pizza lunch. We thank Mazak and Spectrum Machine & Design for providing our students with an outstanding learning experience and valuable insight into careers in advanced manufacturing.

It's time for a finale!

Follow the link to read our last Tiger's Roar for the 2025-2026 school year.

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Missed the Season Finale of Superintendent’s Spotlight? Tune in as we celebrate retiring WTA Principal Bruce Hastings, welcome incoming Principal Daniel Paquette, and enjoy a sweet visit from WTA’s Culinary Arts students and staff in honor of National German Chocolate Cake Day! Thanks for watching and supporting Superintendent’s Spotlight all season long!

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As we wind down to the final newsletter for this school year, we are trying out a new format. Follow the link below to read the latest in WTA news!

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