Valedictorian Landon LeClair tells his classmates to take what they've learned to make their pathway in the future. See more photos here.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The graduates in green and white cheered as their classmates crossed the stage at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Wednesday night.
The "flagship" McCann Technical School awarded diplomas to 127 students in programs from culinary arts to metal fabrication. Some will be going on to college, others already with the skills to enter the workforce.
"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, and by awarding our diploma to you this evening, we certify that you have the skill set to meet those challenges," said School Committee President Gary Rivers, describing McCann as the "flagship school of technical education in the commonwealth."
Rivers, former principal of the vocational school, said 72,000 high school seniors will graduate in Massachusetts this years but only 11,000 will be from technical schools.
"This sets you apart from the other 61,000 graduates, because you have acquired two educations in one, a high school diploma and certifications in your technical field," he said. "What I would like to do tonight is to give you a simple plan that will help you achieve your goals."
Rivers said he took inspiration from what he learned at a coaching clinic back in the 1970s: Do what's right and avoid what's wrong, do everything to the best of your ability, and, above all else, show people you care, just genuinely care about other people.
"When you do the right thing. People are going to trust you. They know they can count on you when you do everything to the best of your ability," he said. "Then people know you are committed to excellence and care about others. My hope is that everyone in this graduating class will be significant. The significance, however, is when you help others be successful."
Salutatorian Ryleigh Holland spoke of her journey through McCann, arriving quiet and nervous, but like her classmates, pushing herself out of her comfort zone as the years flew by.
"When I would tell people I attend a vocational high school, they would have mixed reactions, because of the stereotype the education isn't as good, but I couldn't disagree more," she said. "I know that my computer-assisted design teachers have always been there for me, either helped me vocationally, professionally, or personally. And I think that's something all of tonight's graduates can attest to as well.
"We all started knowing little to nothing about our vocations, and now we're walking out of here as professionals."
Graduate Cody Stentiford opened the ceremonies with Jimi Hendrix's guitar rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Rivers, Superintendent James Brosnan and Principal Justin Kratz presented the diplomas, and students were handed their awards and scholarship letters as they left the stage.
Kratz sent them off with advice about roller coaster ride of life: be present in the moment, cut themselves some slack, try their best to keep things in balance, that things will mostly be OK and to "measurer your friends in quality, not quantity. He also hoped that graduation day was not the best day of their lives.
"I hope that McCann was awesome, I hope that you had a great four years here, I hope that you have a lot of awesome memories, I hope that those memories last you well all into the future," he said. "But I wish someone had told me high school is not the best time of your life. It's not, and if someone tells you that, they're wrong, because you've got a lot of living left ahead of you."
Valedictorian Landon LeClair asked the hundreds of family members and friends in the Amsler Campus Center gym to "take a moment to appreciate the achievement of graduates, as this was something that took consistency and effort."
"Though we may have not shown up every day, we showed up when accounted, and through patience and determination stayed the course and made it to this moment," he said. "But while we played a major role, we cannot forget those in our lives who helped us along the way. No matter how small their contribution, we could not have made it without them."
LeClair said those values of effort and consistency will always be with them no matter where they end up.
"We have understood that failure isn't the end, but a pathway to new understanding. As we move forward, let's take what we have learned here and continue to build on it for the rest of our lives."
The graduates turned their tassels, flipped some beach balls and laughed at a slideshow of pictures from their years at the school before heading out the door.
Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Kolton Clint Joseph Buck
Logan David Irace
Timothy Neil Kupiec
Emerson Rose Lane
Landon Plankey LeClair
Jaxin Xzavier Lemaire
Carter Mason Moore
Ryleigh Elizabeth Rathbun
Hunter Scott Robert
Mason Thomas Rondeau
Brooklynn Tayler Warner
Gabrielle Marlene Wells-Vidal
James David Witto
Automotive
Alisandra Elizabeth Bills
Malia Putnam Coons
Landon Miles Hnatonko
Ian Michael Militello
Derek James Pratt
Jacob Alexander Rash
Bryce Andrew Robison
Logan Jeffrey Senecal
Jacob Carter Smith
Jayden Smith
Peyton John Trivette
Ethan James Weiskotten
Business Technology
Abigail Grace Anderson
Mackenzie Arlene Boyce
Hayley Elizabeth Foucher
Ella Rae Gaffey
Ehryn Elisabeth Hall
Koleigh Rose Hubbard
Kylee Ann Hubby
Kamilia Marielle Kondel
Emma Kelly LaCasse
Aimee Lynn McPherson
Tucker Hayes Wrenn
Carpentry
Lillyonna Gracelin Crawford
Mya Kathryn Demers
Tyler Michael Dubreuil
Brianna Lee Fachini
Stephen Clement Gage
Dylan James Goodell
Juliet Kathryn Knapp
Ashley Brynn Lane
Abbey Rose Little
Andrew John Meaney
Addisyn Taylor Meczywor
Sage Alexandra Moran
Cole Wayne Stentiford
Elizabeth Evelyn Therrien
Quincy Law Vilayvanh
Maggie Grace Wohrle
Taylor Ann Ziemba
Computer Assisted Design
Arthur James Bentley
Zackary Darren Bradbury
Tavian Edward Brazeau
Emma Grace Gregory
Ryleigh Jeanne Holland
Gianna Carmella Jacobbe
Noah Connor Kanelos
Leyla Ariel Kincaid-Chesbro
Nicholas Scott King
Ava Elizabeth May Kratz
Rhea Nora Lincoln
Marley Ryann O'Neill
Riona Lynn Parkman
Boden Carter Peck
Grace Marie Perreault
Liam Christopher Poirot
Kyle Mason Rougeau
Jackson Davis Tower
Justin Thomas Wesolowski
Jason Cameron Williamson
Culinary Arts
Gabriel Paul Charron
Reilley Michael Lefebvre
Electricity
Faith Lisa Brazeau
Harley Michael Collins
Dallas Jacob DeAngelis Ritcher
Jaydon Achilles Dimitropolis
Eli Bruno Gagne
Thomas Robert Morton
Jackson Tyler Mullen
Ryder Calen Murach
Gabriel Hunter Lescarbeau
Ryan Thomas McCarthy
Matthew Ryan McCormick
Ethan Michael Medon
Mason Wayne Mickle
Matthew Jonathan Roeder
Jacob Daniel Sherman
Ayden Michael Williams
Aidan Christopher Tremblay
Information Technology
Brett Maximos Belsky
Brady Quinn Bolte
Jeffrey Thomas Burgess
Julian Jessie Matthew Carrier
Thomas Frank Connors
Tanner Mead David Davignon
Gabrielle Madeline Driscoll
Skyler Joseph Ellsworth
Bryan David Faucher
Jordyn Rose Hamilton
Jordyn Maya Lloyd
Jonathan Jacob Miller
Mackenzie Ann Miranda-Ruiz
Keegan Michel Enzo Ouellette
Amari Areiell Smith
Metal Fabrication
Nolan William Booth
Dylan James Bourdon
Jackson Rollin Breard
Landen Jacoby Brodeur
Rocco Joseph Cellana
Aiden Margaret Champney
Jaslyne Marie Crockwell
Aidan Michael Ford
Ethan James Fredenburg
Zachary Michael Howland
Nora Ruth Kondel
Tyne Ondria Laroche
Shaylee Kersten Lawson
Marley J Miner
Paige Lynne Perry
Rider James Senecal
Micah Kayne Spencer
Natalie Marie Tatro
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Boutique General Store Opens on Holden Street in North Adams
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A newly opened boutique general store on Holden Street offers local and regional products along with a curated selection of gifts, wines and artwork.
"It's just a lot of my favorite makers and small brands that I've, in my mind, collected over the years because I've wanted to do this for I don't even know since forever," owner Hannah Blazejewski said. "I'm trying to keep as much of the product at least local to New England as I can."
The name for the Diving Horse at 26 Holden St. was inspired by one of her favorite movies, "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," the story of a girl who joins a diving horse stunt show during the Depression.
Blazejewski found the current space earlier this year before moving back to the county in March. It was formerly North Adams Yoga, so when she moved in she repainted the place and also worked with Outlook Builders to build the shelving and her dream "mousehole" wall.
The store showcases local goods from throughout New England, and she described it as a general store and gift boutique built around a personal collection of favorite makers, small brands, and hard-to-find products.
Her shop also includes children's items, artwork, stickers, home decor, cheeses, non-perishable items, wines and a selection of Scandinavian candy.
She said she hopes to contribute to the local economy, connect with other businesses and artists, and respect the city's history and culture.
A newly opened boutique general store on Holden Street offers local and regional products along with a curated selection of gifts, wines and artwork. click for more
In addition to the contests between candidates and the battle for control among political parties, Massachusetts voters will also be deciding on nine ballot questions in November, the highest number since 1994.
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The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is planning to purchase a total of 250 abutting acres in Clarksburg and the town of Florida. The purchase was on the Florida Select Board's agenda on Wednesday night.
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Local officials, schools, and community organizations unite to offer a free Halloween walkthrough featuring local lore, concessions, and family fun. click for more
