Scholarships & Awards for the Taconic High School Class of 2026

06:00PM / Friday, June 12, 2026Print 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,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

Summer Sizzle!

0% APR for new card holders. Apply today at Greylock! Subject to credit approval. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

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

Prospect Meadow Farm Opens New Vocational Barn

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Thursday, June 18, 2026

A charcuterie board at the event displays fare from some of the regional producers.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prospect Meadow Farm last week officially opened a new barn to sell plants and other goods it produces.

Prospect Meadow Farm Berkshires is an expansion of ServiceNet's first farm in Hatfield that has provided meaningful agricultural work, fair wages, and personal and professional growth to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since opening in 2011.

The Berkshires farm opened on Crane Avenue two years ago and has now introduced a new vocational and unwinding space for the more than 25 farmhands who get paid a minimum wage.

"This is a facility for our folks who work on the farm to learn additional skills and do additional work," said Vice President of Vocational Services Shawn Robinson at the Friday event. "So we have a food packaging space, we've got a walk-in cooler space, we've got a floral design space, we've got a farm store room for staff, lunch room, and then a meditation room that we're standing in now, which is when you're having those hard moments and you need to get away from everything.

"This is going to be a peaceful place you can find and sort of find some comfort, and then hopefully get back to work."

The barn was built by funds from the state Executive Office of Economic Development and the state Department of Agricultural Resources that equated to around $600,000, with ServiceNet contributing around the same amount. The structure took over a year to build.

The state's Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Sarah Peterson spoke on how meaningful this farm and ServiceNet is to her and that this place is important to those who need it.

"Places like this are so crucial because they create opportunities for people living with disabilities that aren't plentiful," she said. "People living with developmental and intellectual disabilities have an unemployment rate over 25 percent five times the rate for people without disabilities, even more jarring is under appointment, which is at 80 percent. That means that four out of every five people with disabilities earn below market rate wages and have limited upward mobility.

"The building itself is really impressive, but what you're really seeing here is the result of vision. It's about opportunity, it's about community, and it's founded in the belief that every person deserves the chance to learn and work and contribute to thrive under the leadership of ServiceNet."

One aspect of the barn will be the market where produce from the farm and other local growers will be sold as well as keeping the tradition of Jodi's Seasonal, which previously occupied the location, alive with plant sales. The market will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Everything you see in terms of the tomatoes, the fresh produce, that's all done with the hands of our farm hands here, individuals with disabilities who get out every single morning, get in those greenhouses, put their hands in the dirt, and make all of this happen, and this is just the start," said Robinson. "This farm is a little over a year old at this point, but give it another two years, and we hope to be growing enough food to share throughout the Berkshires."

Robinson said the farm is focused on local food security, recently partnering with the Hatfield Council on Aging and planning to work toward making enough food to partner with places in the Berkshires.

He said the barn serves the Hatfield farm and what the employees here needed.

"We've been able to learn the needs of the farm hands who work there and so we have learned that they need a comfortable break space for those times where it's hard to be out in the fields, we've learned that a quiet space for when you're going through something you need to be away from people are key, and then also we have a small farm store in Hatfield, but we've seen increasing interest in retail work from our participants, so we thought it was time for a larger-scale farm store," he said.

Robinson noted that Prospect Meadow Farm has helped the individuals working there feel valued and head.

View Full Story