LENOX, Mass. — Lenox Memorial High School has named Samuel Geller as valedictorian and Stefan Zygawski as the salutatorian for the graduating class of 2025.
Graduation ceremonies will be held on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m. at Tanglewood.
The following information was provided by the school:
Geller is the son of a Thai immigrant and has found Lenox to be a motivating and academically challenging environment for him to grow. Outside the classroom, he has committed himself to various meaningful extracurricular and athletic activities.
His academic interests are wide ranging — he enjoys both the sciences and the humanities, with a particular focus on language studies. He speaks both English and Thai at home, and took AP Latin and Spanish. He has earned his Seal of Biliteracy in Latin, which he is quite proud of. The most life-changing extracurricular he has participated in is cross country running. As a member of the 2022 State Championship team and the 2023 Western Mass Championship team, he has enjoyed his share of success on the field. However, the most meaningful part of his athletic career was his time with his teammates and coach Al Najimy, who have helped him grow in so many ways.
Beyond his athletic involvements, Geller was part of a school writing club and has volunteered at Volunteers in Medicine in Great Barrington, where he was able to put his Spanish to use at the front desk. He has also played the clarinet in the school band and learns guitar on his own time.
Although he does not have a completely clear vision for his future, Geller is headed to Williams College in Williamstown in the fall with an undecided major. He plans to take a pre-med track but wants to further explore his interests in the humanities as well.
He is grateful for the support and opportunities he has received at Lenox Memorial and wishes his classmates all the best as they embark on their respective journeys.
Zygawski is a remarkable student and dedicated community member, the son of immigrants, and has distinguished himself through his academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and commitment to service. His academic excellence is evidenced by his induction into the National Honor Society and his recognition as an AP Scholar.
Beyond the classroom, he was an active and influential participant in various school clubs and competitions. A former member of the Robotics Club, he also served as the president of Mock Trial, demonstrating his leadership and critical
thinking skills. His passion for mathematics shone through as a competitor in the WPI Math Competition.
Outside of his academic pursuits, Zygawski dedicated his time to volunteering, making a tangible impact on his community. He also nurtured a unique blend of interests, including astronomy, hockey, and playing guitar.
Zygawski plans to pursue a career in medicine. He has been accepted into an accelerated medical program at Lake Erie (Pa.) College of Osteopathic Medicine, a testament to his ambition and the strong foundation he built at Lenox Memorial.
Lenox Memorial High School community congratulates Stefan on this outstanding achievement and wishes him the very best as he embarks on his journey to become a medical professional.
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Ventfort Hall: Making New England Movies
LENOX, Mass. — Jay Craven, American film director, screenwriter, and former film professor at Marlboro College, will present his talk "New England Movies: How and Why" on Sunday, March 1 at Ventfort Hall at 3:30 pm.
Craven will tell the story of his adventures and experiences, developing a sustained filmmaking career in the unlikely settings of Vermont and Massachusetts. A tea will follow his presentation.
He will describe working with a wide range of actors, including Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal, Kris Kristofferson, Martin Sheen, Ernie Hudson, and Michael J. Fox. He'll share the satisfactions and challenges that come from immersion into place-based narrative filmmaking.
According to a press release:
Craven's work grew out of years of working as a teacher and arts activist whose mission has been the advancement of community and culture in the region. For four decades he has written, produced, and directed character-driven films deeply rooted in Vermont and New England, including five "Vermont Westerns" based on the works of award-winning Northeast Kingdom writer, Howard Frank Mosher. His latest film, Lost Nation, digs into the parallel Revolutionary War era stories of Ethan Allen and the pioneering Black Guilford poet, Lucy Terry Prince. His other films have adapted stories by Jack London, Guy du Maupassant, George Bernard Shaw, Craig Nova and, currently, Henrik Ibsen and Dashiell Hammett. Craven also made the regional Emmy-winning comedy series, Windy Acres, for public television and seven documentaries.
Craven's films have played festivals and special screenings including Sundance, South by Southwest, The American Film Institute, Lincoln Center, Cinematheque Francaise, the Constitutional Court of Johannesburg, and Cinemateca Nacional de Venezuela. Awards include the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Producer's Guild of America's NOVA Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces program. His film Where the Rivers Flow North was a named finalist for Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Tickets are $45. Members receive $5 off with their discount code. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.
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