When students and families walk into a Chelsea school, a clerk is often one of the first people to greet them. In October, the district said thank you.

Chelsea Public Schools honored school-based clerks from across the district with Name, Strength and Story Awards at the School Committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Chelsea City Hall. The district shared the news in an Oct. 5 announcement.

What clerks do

The district said clerks provide essential support to students, families and educators every day. They help create welcoming school communities and make sure students have what they need to learn and succeed.

They also build relationships with students and families, assist educators and school leaders, and help schools respond to community needs. The district tied the awards to its commitment to "knowing and honoring the name, strength and story of every student."

About the awards

The Name, Strength and Story Awards are an existing district program. In October 2025, Superintendent Dr. Almi G. Abeyta presented them at the School Committee meeting to two staff members: crossing guard Zuleika Sala, with more than three years of service, and Michael Talbot, a Chelsea High School administrator and educator with more than 20 years in the district.

That's according to a 2025 district announcement, which described the awards as honors for staff who build relationships with students and families.

The honorees

The district honored 28 clerks from 12 schools and programs. Chelsea High School had the most, with six. The John Silber Early Learning Center had four, and Clark Avenue Middle School had three.

Chelsea High School: Bianca Llanos, Jacquelyn Bernal, Katy Matos, Tania Amaya, Melisa Aguilar and Doris Romano

John Silber Early Learning Center: Cristal Urquiza, Keila Velez, Wilma Ramos and Carmen Negron

Clark Avenue Middle School: Stacy Ceren, Jacqueline Fuentes and Jessica Buenrostro

Berkowitz School: Pamela Rivera and Roberto Soto

Kelly School: Ada Berrios and Jose Mojica

Hooks School: Bryan Pinales and Kiaralis Sandoval

Sokolowski School: Jose Ortiz and Brianna Boland

Wright Science & Technology Academy: Glorianis Asia-Vega and Wanda Vega

Browne Middle School: Marelyn Arevalo and Ariana Escalante

Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy: Lizet Vasquez

Chelsea Opportunity Academy: Angela Barrientos

Out of District Programs: Jalinette Jimenez

A thank-you from the district

The announcement congratulated each honoree and thanked all school-based clerks for "the invaluable support they provide to school communities throughout the district." A photo with the announcement shows the clerks together at the meeting, holding certificates.

What to watch

The district's announcement didn't say who presented the 2026 awards or how honorees were chosen, and it included no comments from honorees.