WEF Honors Voices of Steel with the Community Award
The Wakefield Educational Foundation [WEF] hosted its 29th annual Celebration of Learning on Wednesday, April 16th. The Celebration of Learning is an evening of recognition for the students, staff, and volunteers who exemplify the core values of Wakefield Public Schools, and the community members who donate their time to make Wakefield a better place to live. This year’s Community Award was given to Voices of Steel, Wakefield Memorial High School's (WMHS) A Cappella group, led by Choral Director Ms. Ana Morel. This group is well-known throughout town not only for their captivating voices but also for their positivity and dedication.
The Community Award is presented to members of the Wakefield community for their tireless work in charitable causes that positively impact families and their school-age children. Superintendent Doug Lyons shared a heartfelt example of one of the many ways in which this group of young individuals has touched the lives of our community. When a neighbor asked for a special act of kindness to brighten an emotionally challenging time for a local family, Voices of Steel promptly responded and arrived at their home within days. Even though they were strangers to the family, these students came out into the cold and sang with genuine joy and care, providing the gift of music as a balm.
Voices of Steel is renowned not just for their selfless giving in times of need, but also for how they are seen bringing winter cheer to our young residents in elementary schools, how they are heard around town at stores like Sweetbay, and how their vibrant vocals are felt, resonating across rows of seats at the Galvin for many events. Many of the students who make up this spirited group are also lauded for exemplifying the core values of WMHS.
“Through her unwavering commitment, Ana Morel has not only elevated the standard of choral music at Wakefield Memorial High School but has also instilled a sense of community and passion for the arts among her students. Her work with Voices of Steel exemplifies her remarkable talent as a teacher and director, and most importantly, the transformative power of music education,” praised Dr. Lyons.
In 2025, VoS secured second place at the International Championship of High School A Cappella Quarterfinals, with group members earning individual honors and recognition. The Voices of Steel performances at events like NE Voices and the OneVoice Invitational demonstrate their skill and commitment to excellence. Members of Voices of Steel include Hailey Allocco, Benjamin Blackstone, Samantha Bordonaro, Carina Cataldo, Naya Chankhour, Shaiel Coral, Madeline Fournier, McKayla Herzog, Owen Kelley, Brendan Leane, Serena Loh, Siobhan Lombardi, Alexandra Morton, Jhalak Patel, Elizabeth Police, Amber Smith, Sadie Lynn Spry, and Jacob Williams.
Upon accepting the award, Morel gave recognition not only to her students, but to her colleague and friend, Mr. Thomas Bankert, thanking him for having “always lifted up this group since its beginning 16 years ago.”
Thank you to WCAT TV for broadcasting and recording the Celebration of Learning. To listen to the awards ceremony, including a special performance by Voices of Steel, visit https://www.youtube.com/@WCATWakefield.
To support the grant process, WEF receives generous funding from key local business partners, private donors, and a series of annual fundraisers, including: WEF’s Wakefield Public Schools Calendar showcasing student art; the S.T.A.R.S. program recognizing exemplary WPS staff; the Online Auction and the Adult Spelling Bee. WEF has awarded over $730,000 across the Wakefield Public Schools since 1989. Follow WEF on Twitter or Facebook, or go to WEF01880.org to learn more.