Scholarships & Awards for the Taconic High School Class of 2026

Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were presented to the 2026 graduating class at Taconic High School. 

Berkshire County Student Athlete Award: Hunter P. Bentz, Romeo A. Yankey
Daughters of the American Revolution 'Good Citizen' Award: Nicholas G. Martinez
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence Award: Brendan T. Bayles
Massachusetts Vocational Association / Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award: Brendan T. Bayles
Presidential Certificate of Merit: Hunter P. Bentz, Qing Song
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hispanic Student Excellence Award: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, April A. Soasti, Cristian R. Villeda Berganza
Rotary Club of Pittsfield Service-Above-Self Awards: Hunter P. Bentz, Ella G. Stodden

Community & Memorial Scholarships
Aaron Barnes Career Technical Education Scholarship: Finnian G. Gillespie
Aaron T. Coty Memorial Scholarship: Hunter P. Bentz, Jillian R. Croce
Action EMS Ambulance Scholarship (Given in Memory of Dr. Portman): Caleb J. Roucoulet
Adams Community Bank Scholarships: Mason R. Manning, Victoria M. Spagnuolo
Berkshire Community College Foundation: J. Edward Dery Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres; Grace S. Hampel Scholarship: Mariana Cardenas Orozco, Grace M. Horbah
Berkshire County Arc: Scholarship: April A. Soasti; Debra Jarck Memorial Scholarship: Grace M. Horbah
Berkshire Health Systems Kermit Gordon Scholarship: Lyrin J. DeMaranville, Natalie C. Pitcher, Tahira V. Chimarro Torres
Brodie Slonski Memorial Scholarship: Shaheem A. Shelton, Kaelen J. Thomas; on Behalf of the LaPlante Family: Edward P. Ferris
Burger King Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris, Ella G. Stodden
Capeless Elementary School / Eugene T. O'Brien Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Charles A. Persip Post 68 American Legion: Scholarship: Olyviana M. Romano; Career Technical Scholarship: Precious G. Kpofolo
Christopher Forte Memorial Scholarships: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, Julia D. Young
CIAO Berkshire County Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, Frederick O. Yankey
Clarence D.J. O'Neil and Family Memorial Scholarship: Romeo A. Yankey
Daniel F. Koziol Memorial Scholarship: Catherine J. Napravnick-Valero
Dan Lansing Skilled Trades Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Dave Zerbato Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris, Ella G. Stodden
Donald C. Dwyer / South Little League Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Francis J. Quirico Educational Foundation Scholarships: Sean E. Assamoi, Madison A. Barber, Brendan T. Bayles, Jordan O. Cornellier, Lyrin J. DeMaranville, Savannah L. Gomes, Dylan N. Harty, Javon T. Jones, Nicholas G. Martinez, Aiden L. Medina, Collin R. Norton, Shaheem A. Shelton, April A. Soasti, Ella G. Stodden, Shelby P. Tart, Angelese M. Ward-Green
Frosthollow Fund: Scholarship: Gavin Q. O'Donnell; Technical Scholarship: Hunter P. Bentz
George E. Ballard Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Girls Inc. of the Berkshires: Berkshire Community College Scholarship: Cicily A. Roy; Ruth P. Boraski Scholarship: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, Michelle K. Davis, Aliyah M. DelSonno, Isabel R. Manarchik; Rotary Club of Pittsfield Scholarship: Grace M. Horbah
Gold Wings Foundation Scholarship: Madeline E. Harrington
Greylock Federal Credit Union: Community Enrichment Scholarship: Catherine J. Napravnick-Valero; Career Technical Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris; Employee Scholastic Scholarship: Ella G. Stodden
Horatio Alger Massachusetts Scholar: Hunter P. Bentz
I Found the Light Against All Odds Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
'Iron Mike' Polidoro Memorial Scholarship: Caleb J. Roucoulet
Jake Hescott 'Win the Day' Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
John D. Codey Jr. Memorial Scholarships (Given by the Monday Morning Quarterback Club): Edward P. Ferris, Jahmier A. Berry-Irvis, Joy M. Davis
John J. Kowalczyk Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris, Ella G. Stodden
Joseph R. Renzi Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris, Grace M. Horbah, Precious G. Kpofolo, Aiden L. Medina, Henry P. Rapkowicz
Kevin Harrington Memorial: Wrestling Scholarship: Malakai J. Lytle; Softball Scholarship: Madison A. Barber, Ella G. Stodden
Larry Michalenko Memorial Scholarship: Evette F. Baidoo, Edward P. Ferris, Finnian G. Gillespie, Jazmyn L. Wilson
Lawrence Bayles Memorial Scholarship by Kathy Hall: Brendan T. Bayles
LSA Higher Education Scholarship: Matthew T. Perrea
Leslie T. Sutherland Memorial Scholarship: Gabriela G. Orellana-Alfaro
Lisa Jacobs Memorial Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Marcia & Shane Cassavant Memorial Scholarship: Brooklyn R. Shaw
Margaret Barry 'Women in Math/Science' Memorial Scholarship: Qing Song
Michael J. Bresett Memorial Scholarship: Frederick O. Yankey
Michael Salata Memorial Scholarship: Jahmier A. Berry-Irvis
Morningside Community School PTO Scholarship: Milo R. Erwin, Savannah L. Gomes

Patrick C. Torra, Sr. Memorial Carpentry Scholarship: Sharleen N. Barahona, Edward P. Ferris
Peanut Scholarships: Edward P. Ferris, Madeline E. Harrington, Grace M. Horbah, Devin B. Reynolds, Shelby P. Tart
Pittsfield Adams Elks Local 272 Scholarships: Nicholas G. Martinez
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Conrad R. Bernier Memorial Scholarship: Romeo A. Yankey
Pittsfield Educational Administrators Association Scholarship: Alivia S. Gingras
Pittsfield Little League Scholarship: Devin B. Reynolds
Pittsfield Soccer Club Scholarships: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, Ethan B. O'Donnell
Red Pine Scholarship: Yash H. Patel
Richard Edgar Molari Jr. Memorial Scholarships: Sophie R. Aubin, Quentin G. Christopher
Ricky Stracuzzi Memorial Scholarship: Quentin G. Christopher
Robert G. Ahern Toyota Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
Robert P. Dascani Memorial Scholarship: River A. Avanzato
Rotary Club of Pittsfield: Dr. John Reynolds Scholarship: Jordan O. Cornellier; Sheryl Baron Memorial Scholarship: Logan K. Williams; Lyons Family Scholarship: Mason R. Manning; Nash Family Scholarship: Brendan T. Bayles; Scholarships: Tahira V. Chimarro Torres, Precious G. Kpofolo, Shelby P. Tart
Stearns Elementary School PTO Scholarships: Madeline E. Harrington
Steven LaRochelle Memorial Scholarship: Cicily A. Roy
St. John's Lodge 10 Memorial Scholarships: Olyviana M. Romano
Tee Off for Youth Sports Classic: Boys Baseball Scholarship: Quentin G. Christopher; Girls Softball Scholarship: Madeline E. Harrington; Culinary Scholarship: Logan K. Williams
Thomas F. Tobin Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Precious G. Kpofolo
Thomas J. Curtis Memorial Scholarship: Gianna M. Aiello
Tim Connolly Memorial Scholarship: Brendan T. Bayles
UEP Scholarship: Edward P. Ferris
UNICO: Baseball Hall of Fame: Quentin G. Christopher; Softball Hall of Fame: Madeline E. Harrington; James DiSimoni Memorial Scholarship: Lyrin J. DeMaranville; Gloria Powers Scholarship: Ella G. Stodden; Honorable Rudolph Sacco Scholarship: Aliyah M. DelSonno; Honorable Sheriff Thomas Bowler Vocational Scholarship: Mason R. Manning; John Pignatelli Vocational Scholarship: Nicholas G. Martinez
Vera Bianchi-Barbarotta Sportsman Scholarship: Madeline E. Harrington
VFW Voice of Democracy Award: Isabel R. Manarchik; Scholarship: Matthew T. Perrea

Massachusetts Elks Career Technical Education Scholarships: Sean E. Assamoi, Sophie R. Aubin, Madison A. Barber, Brendan T. Bayles, Catherine J. Napravnick-Valero, Matthew T. Perrea, Natalie C. Pitcher, Olyviana M. Romano, Brooklyn R. Shaw, Shaheem A. Shelton, Dylan N. Harty, Abigail I. Henriott, Joshua A. Holcomb, Vee Johnston, Hunter P. Bentz, Mason R. Manning, Jaeshaun A. Brown, Joy M. Davis, Nicholas G. Martinez, April A. Soasti, Emma R. Moon, Qing Song, Michelle K. Davis, Ella G. Stodden, Matilda O. DelSignore, Collin R. Norton, Shelby P. Tart, Yaraliz I. Auqui, Shaun R. Knysh, Alexis A. Phelps, Edward P. Ferris, Ethan B. O'Donnell, Kaelen J. Thomas, Samuel R. Avanzato Scott, Isabella R. Lampro, Jillian R. Croce, Parker S. Lang, Devin B. Reynolds, Caleb J. Roucoulet, Finnian G. Gillespie, Gavin Q. O'Donnell, Angelese M. Ward-Green, Savannah L. Gomes, Gabriela G. Orellana-Alfaro, Kingston S. DeJesus, Isaiah M. Lee, Cicily A. Roy, Chantel E. Evans, Emanuel X. Lemieux Robinson, Abbigael S. Soto, Alivia S. Gingras, Aidan J. Lyman, Chloe M. Stansen, Aiden E. Hall, Lexi G. Murphy-Malloy, Nyla R. Stevens, Joshua A. Holcomb, Gabriela G. Orellana-Alfaro, Logan K. Williams, Tahira V. Chimarro-Torres, Joy M. Davis, Edward P. Ferris, Dominic A. Horalek, Braden D. Pease

Massachusetts Elks Scholarships: Sean E. Assamoi, Mia G. Ives, Matthew T. Perrea, Madison A. Barber, Quinn J. Ives, Brendan T. Bayles, Javon T. Jones, Hunter P. Bentz, Jaeshaun A. Brown, Quentin G. Christopher, Joy M. Davis, Lyrin J. DeMaranville, Edward P. Ferris, Madeline E. Harrington, Precious G. Kpofolo, Mason R. Manning, Nicholas G. Martinez, Collin R. Norton, Ethan B. O'Donnell, Gavin Q. O'Donnell, Yash H. Patel, Shaheem A. Shelton, April A. Soasti, Victoria M. Spagnuolo, Ella G. Stodden, Shelby P. Tart, Angelese M. Ward-Green, Jazmyn L. Wilson, Romeo A. Yankey

John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Recipients: Sean E. Assamoi, Sophie R. Aubin, Madison A. Barber, Brendan T. Bayles, Hunter P. Bentz, Jaeshaun A. Brown, Joy M. Davis, Michelle K. Davis, Yaraliz I. Auqui, Edward P. Ferris, Samuel R. Avanzato Scott, Jillian R. Croce, Finnian G. Gillespie, Gavin Q. O'Donnell, Savannah L. Gomes, Kingston S. DeJesus, Chantel E. Evans, Alivia S. Gingras, Aiden E. Hall, Joshua A. Holcomb, Tahira V. Chimarro-Torres, Dominic A. Horalek, Braden D. Pease, Matthew T. Perrea, Nicholas G. Martinez, April A. Soasti, Emma R. Moon, Qing Song, Ella G. Stodden, Collin R. Norton, Shelby P. Tart, Shaun R. Knysh, Alexis A. Phelps, Ethan B. O'Donnell, Kaelen J. Thomas, Isabella R. Lampro, Parker S. Lang, Devin B. Reynolds, Caleb J. Roucoulet, Angelese M. Ward-Green, Gabriela G. Orellana-Alfaro, Isaiah M. Lee, Cicily A. Roy, Emanuel X. Lemieux Robinson, Abbigael S. Soto, Aidan J. Lyman, Chloe M. Stansen, Lexi G. Murphy-Malloy, Nyla R. Stevens, Logan K. Williams

Collegiate Matriculation & Institutional Scholarships
Bentley University: Javon T. Jones
Berry College: Olyviana M. Romano
Fairfield University: Ethan B. O'Donnell
Fitchburg State University: Matthew T. Perrera
Howard University: Precious G. Kpofolo
Keene State College: Brianna L. Lopez
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Evette F. Baidoo, Victoria M. Spagnuolo, Jazmyn L. Wilson
Morgan State University: Joy M. Davis
Northeastern University: Romeo A. Yankey
Providence College: Madison A. Barber
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Nicholas G. Martinez
Springfield College: Edward P. Ferris, Shelby P. Tart
Syracuse University: Brendan T. Bayles
University of Massachusetts: Amherst: Hunter P. Bentz, Savannah L. Gomes, Madeline E. Harrington, April A. Soasti; Boston: Quentin G. Christopher, Lyrin J. DeMaranville, Adriana L. Ramos, Angelese M. Ward-Green; Lowell: Sean E. Assamoi, Yash H. Patel
University of Rhode Island: Collin R. Norton
University of Tampa: Ella G. Stodden
Vassar College: Gavin Q. O'Donnell
Westfield State University: Aliyah M. DelSonno
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Shaheem A. Shelton

 


Tags: scholarships,   graduation 2026,   Taconic High,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Weekend Outlook: Juneteenth and Pride Celebration

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this weekend including parades, parties and celebrations.

Editor's Choices

10th Annual Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade
The Common Park, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m.

The 10th annual pride parade and festival with fun games, performances, food, and more.

More information here.

Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival
Bowe Field, Adams
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Visit the faerie realm in the Berkshires with food, music, activities, dancing and more. Tickets are sold at the gate for $12 and $5 for kids 12 and under.

More information here.

Juneteenth Celebration
Durant Park, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March to the park starts at City Hall, followed by music, dance, food, history and more hosted by NAACP Berkshires. The event is free and open to everyone.

Find a full schedule of the day's events here.

Friday 

Switch and Snacks: Teen Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 2:30 p.m.

Teens are invited to bring their Nintendo Switches; there also will be multiple games and snacks for kids to enjoy and have fun.

More information here.

Common Craft Night
165 East Main St., North Adams
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Bring your craft and work with other people that might be doing the same thing as you.

More information here.

Friday Karaoke 
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.

Belt out some of your favorite tunes and show off your voice.

More information here.

Wine Parlor & Bites
Revival House, Adams
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
 
The Revival House on Commercial Street is hosting chef Xavier Jones for a popup restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays in June. Limited menu; $5 reservation includes beverage. 
 
More information here

Saturday 

UNO Block Party
UNO Community Center, North Adams
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.

The annual neighborhood block party features music, games, food, and more activities to enjoy.

More information here.

Stacy Schiff on Samuel Adams
Adams Theater, Park Street
Time: 4 p.m.
 
In conversation with Sara Houghteling, Pulitzer Prize-winner Stacy Schiff will explore the origins of the American Revolution as detailed in her latest work, "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams," for whom the town is named. Schiff is an Adams native and Williams College graduate. 
 
Tickets and more information here

Scenic Summer Tours
Mount Greylock, Adams
Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a free tour with a park interpreter to learn about Mount Greylock's history and more that make the Summit popular.

More information here.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories