Valedictorian Camryn Moran told her classmates to take a deep breath and let the moment sink. See more photos here.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School launched 132 graduates into the world on Wednesday to the accompaniment of cheers and raucous cowbells.
The class of 2025, had achieved a "significant educational milestone in graduating from what I consider the flagship school of technical education in the commonwealth," said School Committee Chairman Gary Rivers. "We may be one of the smallest technical schools in the state, but our mission is powerful — to graduate technically skilled, academically prepared and socially responsible individuals ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. ...
"As you move forward in the next chapter of your lives, I encourage you to continue to pursue your dreams, goals and passions, embrace every opportunity that comes your way, and never stop learning, growing and evolving."
Those achievements wouldn't be possible without the support of the school community and family members — a running theme the speakers touched on and made evident by the crowded seats filled with families in the steamy Amsler Campus Center gym at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
"We all have our own book of life that has not yet been written, and every day that passes is another page we write in ourselves. But tonight, I don't want you all to think about the past or the future. I want you all to focus on this moment," said valedictorian Camryn Moran. "This is our time to soak it all on, and as we do, I hope each and every one of you will take a moment to thank someone who has helped you reach this milestone tonight ...
"It doesn't matter who it is or what they did for you, All that I ask is that you thank at least one person for helping you get here tonight."
The assembly began with the traditional processional and a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by graduate Tristan Cormier, accompanied on the guitar by his well-known musician father, Randy Cormier. Superintendent James Brosnan and Rivers presented the diplomas and ceremony was capped off with a slideshow of pictures of the graduates and the activies and courses they took.
"We've all gained and lost relationships, allowed ourselves to try new things, play sports and pursue opportunities that we will remember for a lifetime," salutatorian Paige Rochelo. "We've all faced challenges, and it wasn't always easy to get out every day, especially with senior ranks, But we persevered through the years, allowing ourselves to grow and flourish into the people we are today. And we didn't do it alone.
"We owe so much success to the people who surround us tonight, our friends, family and faculty who have guided us through the winding river of high school. I'm talking about those people who are sweating in those bleachers, anxiously waiting to scream your name as walk across the stage to get your phone. I know without the support from my loved ones, I would not be here in front of you right now."
Principal Justin Kratz said he was going to run with what the class speakers had said, adding "I was very, very impressed with and kind of blew me away with this idea of making sure that we thank some one. ...I think it speaks well for our future generations that they emphasize the thankfulness and appreciation in their speeches."
Both Rivers and Kratz took moments to have the graduates applaud family members and faculty and staff for their efforts.
Kratz also pulled out an item that got a lot of boos and yells from the graduates — a Yondr pouch that was used to lock up their phones during the day. The principal pointed out that putting away the phones had made them a closer class.
"Prior to these pouches, our cafeteria at lunchtime was virtually silent. The kids were all in their phones, since we've instituted these the cafeteria's become a very loud place. The talking is back. The socialization is back," he said, noting that the Senior Sunrise Celebration had the largest number of participants in years.
"I want you to think about one of the best ways that you can show the people that you care about your appreciation, the dearest people in your life, is to put the phone away. Put it away. You've got the training. You have gone 6 1/2 hours, seven hours a day without looking at a cell phone. You can do that now. You've been trained."
Kratz also thanked the college for the use of the gym and recognized retiring faculty and staff, especially his "right hand," Administrative Assistant Cynthia Bishop Tinney.
And with that, the class was ready to end to their high school career and step into the future.
"So to the class of 2025 take a deep breath, look around and let this moment sink in," said Moran. "No matter where life takes you from here, just remember this is just the beginning of a whole new chapter. I now invite our fellow graduates to move our tassels from the right to the left to represent your new beginning."
Kaley Irene Bachand
Lucas Michael Banister
Michael Brian Barnes
Lillian Bean
Joseph Dylan Bedard
Kaden Lee Bills
Alexandria Marie Bowman
Alexander Scott Boyer
Patrick John Bressette Jr.
Aiden Christopher Briggs
Hunter Matthew Brown
Aidan James Cahoon
Ryan Thomas Carpenter
Jayden Ianeni Cellana
Jameson Daniel Ciempa
Tristan Aden Cormier
Gracie Amber
Alice Coury
Ace Edward Coviello
Brent Adam Damone
Evan Daniel Davis
Christian Ryan Dean
Cellie Ann-Marie Decker
Caleb Vincent Denette
Victor Ethan Denette
Hayden Joseph Digennaro
Isabella Ceceilia Dodge
Jack Michael Dolan
Flyntt Alexander Doust
Aleathia Mae Dozier
Logan Joseph Driscoll
Zoe Prevey Dupee
Christopher Daniel Dupre-Harris Dillon Christopher Dzbenski
Antonio Michael Elias
Jason Christopher Ferrara
Evan Michael Fortini
Sofia Alexandra Francesconi Mackenzie Marie Gazaille
Shaun Richard Gazaille-Adams Zachary Christopher Gelinas
Kaleb Joshua Gordon
Jadyn Renee Greenbush
Karlie Rae Gregoire
Bryanna Amber Hallock
Parker Davis
Alan Hart Brodie
Brodie Patrick Hayden
Evan James Hilton
Tobey Sebastian Hopkins
Trace Alban Hopkins
Trinity Madison Houle
Jack Owen Hughs
Grace Elizabeth Hunt
Camerin Allen Johnson
Connor Anthony Klein
Alexander Richard Kowalczyk Nathan Robert Kondel
Emily Gail Kraus-Bayly
Connor James Laliberte
Cody Lucas Lamke
Griffen David Lancia
Makenna Jamelle Lancia
Brockton James Lasher
Eve Laston LeBarron
Aolani Nevaeh Luczynski
Nathan Thomas Luczynski
Lucas Daniel Maloney
Dakota Grace Marko
Cole William Maxwell
Alexander James McDermott
Noah Michael McGrath
Samuel Wayne Mcgrath
Devin Gerald-Gregory Mcguire Hailei Dea McLain
Caleb McLenithan
Johnathan Mykal Mejias
Jadyn Alma Denise Melito
Kolby James Modena
Meghan Alexis Mongeon
Hector Joel Montoya-Alvarado Camryn Grace Moran
Carson David Morin
Matthew Morris
Nora Emily Moser
Connor Christopher Nielsen Nicholas David Odell
Jayden Dakota Page
Ryan Charles Patenaude
Jake William Peckham
Benjamin Thomas Pierce
Kevin Alan Poette
Connor William Poirot
Kassandra Richard Politis
Braedan Patrick Pringle
Ryan Matthew Puntin
Emily Elizabeth Raschdorf
David John Raymond
Sophie Rose Reid
Brooke Reynolds
Koby Daniel Reynolds
Tanner Michael Reynolds
Brody James Rhinemiller
Thomas Edward Richardson
Jaivin Michael Rivera
Liam Thomas Roberts
Paige Elizabeth Rochelo
Devin Louis Rougeau
Eric Michael Rougeau
Lukas Torsten Rylander
Brady Kenneth Sagendorph
Julian Alice Sawyer
Anthony Xavier Skorupski
Arthur Evan Smith
Lily Grace Speed
John Anthony Stack
Brayleigh Elisabeth-Catherine Stanley
Ava Kathleen Stefanik
Daniel Joseph Tatro
Evan Lee Tatro
Kalynn Marie Thayer
Musa Habib Thompson Jr.
Talan Caleb Thompson
Amaya Hope Todd
Joshua Henry Touponce
Jackson John Trombley
Dylan Michael Turner
Amber Suzanne Turoczy
Isabelle Stefania Valachovic
Sadie Kathleen Walden
Aubrey Brianna Wells
Talan Jeffrey Wilkinson
Haley Elizabeth Wood
Leah Grae Young
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Navigators Hand SteepleCats Sixth Straight Loss
By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Shore Navigators capitalized on aggressive baserunning and timely hitting Friday night, defeating the North Adams SteepleCats 13-4 at Joe Wolfe Field and dropping the Cats to 0-6 on the young NECBL season.
The Navigators struck first in the opening inning against North Adams starter Garrett Gates. Michael Brown opened the game by reaching after being hit by a pitch before Hunter Kingsbury followed with an infield single. After a double steal moved both runners into scoring position, Gates recorded his first strikeout of the season by retiring Jay Slater. North Shore quickly responded, however, as Grant Hunter lined a two-run double into the gap to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
North Adams threatened in the bottom of the first. Bobby Stang singled and stole second while Evan Meier worked a walk, but North Shore starter John Hegarty escaped the inning without allowing a run.
Gates settled in during the second inning, striking out Luke Johnson and working around a two-out double by Tyler Shulman to post a scoreless frame. He added two more strikeouts in the third, but Slater connected for a solo home run over the left-field fence to extend the Navigators' lead to 3-0. Gates recovered by picking off Simmi Whitehill after a single and later struck out Hunter to end the inning.
The SteepleCats broke through in the bottom of the third. Alex Barrist reached base and advanced into scoring position on a throwing error before Nelphie Lopez worked a walk. A wild pitch moved both runners up, and after Evan Meier battled back from a 1-2 count to draw another walk, Tony Woodie delivered North Adams' biggest hit of the night. His two-run ground-rule double brought home Barrist and Lopez, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
North Shore answered immediately in the fourth. After Steven Sams entered in relief, the Navigators used a combination of walks, stolen bases, wild pitches and defensive miscues to plate three runs and stretch the lead to 6-2.
The game began to slip away in the fifth. Grant Hunter opened the inning with a single before the Navigators loaded the bases. Daniel Leikus delivered a bases-clearing double to right field, helping North Shore push four more runs across the plate. Jake Foster eventually entered to stop the rally, but the damage had been done as the Navigators moved comfortably in front.
On Friday, June 12, Matthew Parker will be arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court for an incident that occurred on Wednesday evening, June 10, into the early morning of Thursday, June 11. click for more
The upper section of Houghton Street was blocked off for hours on Wednesday night as authorities sought to deal with an individual reportedly having a mental health issue.
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