Taconic's Last Non-Vocational Students Graduate

Valedictorian Gavin O'Donnell says the switch to a career technical school allowed the class to find different paths to the future. See more photos here. 

LENOX, Mass. — The last Taconic High School class of its time crossed, flipped and somersaulted across the stage at Tanglewood on Friday. 

"As I started to think about this class, a number of personal and collective achievements came to mind," Principal Matthew Bishop said. 

"By your very nature, you're a historic class, as you are the last students to graduate from Taconic before we complete our transition into a full career and technical education high school." 

Next school year and beyond, the Pittsfield school's incoming freshmen will be all vocational students, a decision made by the School Committee in 2023. This makes the school's 56th commencement the last to include non-CTE students. 

Bishop said this class of 186 students has played an important role in Taconic's evolution and helped bridge the gap between "Who we were and who we will become." 

"I want to acknowledge that this change has not always been easy for all of you, as we continue to build our identity, but no matter what pathway or program you are in, you all work to make Taconic a better place," he said. 

"And I want to thank you for building the foundations of an emerging strong school culture for future classes."

Gavin O'Donnell was named valedictorian and Hunter Bentz named salutatorian. 

Two students who died before they could graduate were honored during the ceremony as being forever part of the class: Ronald Sanford and Brodie Slonski. 

O'Donnell also pointed out that they will be the last class to experience Taconic as both a traditional high school and a vocational school, and because of that, many students have discovered their passions in different ways and found different paths for their futures. 

"Before receiving our diplomas, many of us have already discovered careers we are passionate about pursuing," he said. "Taconic has always been a place where success looks different for everyone." 

He said looking into the future right now requires a lot of courage, pointing to the artificial intelligence boom and how it might affect their futures. 

"We are stepping into a world that is changing faster than ever, and people are telling us that AI is going to take over the world, rewrite the job market, and probably write next year's valedictorian speech," O'Donnell said, adding that he is not worried when he looks out at classmates. 

Earlier, Bishop touted the class's achievements, including 67 honors graduates, more than $350,000 in aid and scholarships, and 52 students averaging 30 hours per week and earning over $500,000 in wages through the co-op program. 

"AI might be able to generate a perfect essay, but it will never know the panic of running to class when the late bell is ringing, the heartbreak of a painful goodbye, or the exhilaration of a hard-fought victory," the principal said. 

"AI might be powerful, but it will never have our soul, our memories, or our ambition. And maybe that's what makes this moment so surreal."

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was sung by graduate Brendan Bayles, the Taconic High School band performed "Red Comet" by Michael Oare, and graduates Brianna Lopez and Angelese Ward-Green sang "Slipping Thru My Fingers" from "Mamma Mia."

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips presented Bentz with the Karl Boyer McEachron Award in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, community and extracurricular involvement, a dedicated work ethic, and the expressed preference for making engineering or science a lifetime career.

Bishop explained that the class's shining moments were when they lived real friendships and showed up for one another because they care and want to make the community better. 

"The class of 2026 reminded me that the people who matter most in our lives will never ask us for our follower count, and that our worth is not defined by likes, followers, views, or streams," he said. 

"No post, no matter how it performs, will ever capture the way you showed up for a friend, the shifts you worked to help your family, the way you supported your friends in class, or the kindness no one else noticed." 
 

PHS Graduating Class of 2026

Scholarships & Awards

** High Honors, * Honors, ^ Advanced Placement Scholars

Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Friday, June 12, 2026

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.

 

Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.

 

They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

 

College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.

 

She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 

 

"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."

 

Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.