Hoosac Valley Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian for 2026

01:59PM / Tuesday, June 02, 2026Print Story | Email Story

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School has named the top students for the class of 2026.

Valedictorian Anna Thurston and salutatorian Alexis Warner will speak at graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

Thurston, daugther of Thomas and Julie Thurston of Cheshire, has taken Advanced Placement and honors courses, including receiving a Presidential Award in AP World History. In addition to the Superintendents' Award, she has received the Rensselaer (N.Y.) Polytechnic Institute Medal, a first-degree certification in chainsaw and first place in a General Dynamics engineering competition.

During her time at Hoosac Valley, she has served three years on the Student Council, as secretary of the National Honor Society chapter and participated in Portrait of a Graduate and World of Difference. Thurston has been involved with Leo Club for five years, serving as secretary, treasurer and president, and a member of the stage crew for high school productions, and stage manager for "Seussical the Musical."

She was a member of the school's volleyball team, medaled in figure skating at the Bay State Games and holds a black belt in taekwondo. She has volunteered on trips to the food bank and in town cleanups in Adams.

Thurston plans to attend the University of New Hampshire's Honors College to major in mechanical engineering.

Warner is the daughter of Corey and Laura Warner of Cheshire. She also took AP and honors courses, earning an AP Scholars Award and a Sage Colleges Student Sage Award.

During her time at Hoosac, she was treasurer of the National Honor Society chapter, secretary of the Student Council, and a member of the Leo Club, World of Difference, and the Student-Adult Advisory Board. She also played on the girls volleyball and was a member of the stage crew for high school productions.

Tags: graduation 2026, HVHS,

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Letter: Supporting Organizations That Keep Our Communities Strong

Letter to the Editor06:05PM / Monday, October 26, 2026

To the Editor:

Berkshire County is home to many cultural gems, and the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM) is certainly one of them. Its Hoosac Valley Train Ride has become a cherished holiday tradition for families from near and far, offering a unique opportunity to experience our region's history, beauty, and sense of community.

It was heartbreaking to learn of the fire and the damage it caused. At the same time, it has been encouraging to see the determination of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's team as they assess the damage, work toward repairs, and do everything possible to get the trains back in service and honor scheduled rides. Their commitment to rebuilding and moving forward is a testament to the passion and perseverance that keep BSRM alive.

The impact of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum extends well beyond the tracks. Here in Adams, the organization is an important part of our local economy. With approximately 10,000 riders annually, the Hoosac Valley Train Ride brings thousands of visitors to our community. Many of those visitors also spend time exploring our cultural attractions, dining at local restaurants, shopping at our businesses, and filling their gas tanks before heading home. That ripple effect matters, particularly to a small community like Adams.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Adams Fire Department for its work to fight the fire. We are fortunate to have dedicated firefighters who respond when our community needs them most. Their service is a powerful reminder of the importance of the people who give their time, energy, and expertise to protect our neighbors, our history, and our community.

Volunteer organizations are often the backbone of our towns. Whether they are responding to emergencies, preserving our history, or creating meaningful experiences for families, these organizations bring people together and help make the Berkshires a place we are proud to call home. They deserve our recognition, our gratitude, and our support — not just in times of crisis, but throughout the year. I am grateful to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum for its determination and commitment to rebuilding, and to the Adams Fire Department for its service to our community.

I hope we will all do what we can to help the railway recover and continue sharing this special piece of Berkshire County history with future generations.

Christine Hoyt
Adams, Mass.

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