McCann Graduates Told to 'Shine'
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| Photos by Paul Guillotte and Jen Thomas |
NORTH ADAMS - Nicholas and Mitchell Daniels have never really had to spend too much time apart.
The fraternal twins, 17, will be attending different colleges in the fall - Mitch will be going to Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island and Nick to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
"It'll definitely be weird being separated," said Mitch, who plans to go on to study culinary arts.
On Wednesday night, the brothers officially completed their final day as classmates, walking across the stage at the C.H. McCann Technical School's 46th annual Commencement exercises. Nick, the class of 2008's salutatorian, said he welcomed the change and was looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. 
"I'm excited but - I don't know- it's the last time we get to be in high school. It's the last day for everything. I'm going to miss so much but I'm also looking forward to the future," said Nick, who completed the computer-assisted design program and hopes to study computer animation at RPI.
In his speech, Nick compared the experience of being a senior year in high school to a bag of marbles.
"The students, each individually shine and show their colors and the high school brings them all together. And once the bag - I mean, the high school - lets the students out, they all go in different directions or some in the same," he said, scattering a bag of silver marbles across the stage in the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Amsler Campus Center.
"What this means is that each of you has the same starting point and that, once we leave this ceremony, we will all go our separate ways. Let us shine like the students we were meant to be when we stepped through the front doors of McCann those years before and make a difference where we are, in this moment."
That sentiment - building on the strong foundation McCann provided - reverberated in the night's speeches, including ones by Superintendent James J. Brosnan, retiring Principal Gary Rivers and Valedictorian Christine S. Leal. .jpg)
"As graduates of McCann Technical School, we have prepared you to meet challenges. At the start, you came to us with an empty toolbox and over four years, we've helped you fill it," said Rivers, who also said that this graduation - his last - was "a sad event."
Rivers left the students with what he called "pearls of wisdom."
"No. 1. Remember the compliments you receive and forget the insults. Read the directions even if you don't follow them. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life," he said.
Leal, a cheerleader, active volunteer and exceptional student, told her classmates to "lean back on the support" of the relationships they've built at McCann in a speech in which she drew parallels between life and her favorite pastime.
"In many aspects of life, including cheerleading, many people look for glory or recognition. In cheerleading routines, people typically want to be at the top of the pyramid but without other people giving support, one couldn't be at the top. Everyone has their own foundation that helps push you forward but you also need a support system because no one can make it on their own. You need someone to pick you up when you fall and someone to give you guidance and advice when it is needed most," Leal said.
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The valedictorian, an office technology student, will attend Bridgewater State College in the fall, where she will major in business. Leal eventually hopes to become a businesswoman and get involved in the family business (her father owns more than a dozen Dunkin Donuts stores in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont).
"This year flew by. It just went by so fast. I think I'll carry a lot of old memories with me when I go and I'll definitely miss my friends the most when I leave," said Leal.
Leal said she attributes her success to a strong work ethic and a drive to do well.
"I can't just not do my homework. It would bother me if I didn't get something done. I'm ambitious and I know that a lot of people deserve this honor and a lot of people worked just as hard or harder than me but I'm definitely excited because this was one of my goals," she said.
In her speech, she told the class of 2008 to be bold, to go out into the world afraid of making mistakes.
"After today, we will be making decisions about what direction is best for each of us. Be persistent and strive to achieve every one of your dreams, be open to new experiences, figure out where you belong in the world and always trust your instincts because in the end, everything will happen the way it was supposed to," Leal said.
For Jeanna Tinney, this year's senior class president, this last day as a McCann student means one stage has ended and another is beginning.
"This is a huge chapter that's closing in our lives. The memories we've made over these last four years are irreplaceable but I'm excited to new opportunities. I'm excited for everything," Tinney said.
A computer-assisted design student, Tinney plans to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the fall and pursue degrees in political science and psychology, eventually going on to study at American University.
"The idea that it's over hasn't really kicked in yet. It's been surreal these last few days," she said.
As students walked across the stage to collect their diplomas, many slipped a marble or two into the hand of Rivers both as something of a practical joke and also to honor the outgoing principal. Claiming he had "lost his marbles," Rivers thanked the students for returning them.
"It's just something they did. I don't know why. They’re just a great group of kids," Rivers said after the ceremony.
Though he won't be the one at the helm, Rivers told the group of white- and green-clad graduates that McCann would always be a safe haven for them.
"If you ever need McCann Tech, you know where it is," he said.
Diplomas were awarded by School Committee Chairman Daniel J. Maloney Jr and Brosnan.
McCann Technical School Awards
ACF Certification Awards: Ethan Dwight Atwell, Joshua Charles Atwell, Bridgit Marie Benoit, Mitchell Steven Daniels, Christa Marie Griffin, Michael Jay Krutiak, Sally Ann Perras, Paul William St. Pierre Jr. Justin Thomas Stedman, Michelle Renee Stone, Cassandra Lynn Vallieres
Adams Co-Operative Bank: Nicholas Williams Daniels, Brett James Gelinas, Christine S. Leal, Sally Ann Perras, Michelle Renee Stone
Adams Lions Club: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi
Adams Lodges of Masons & Elks, William Wronski Memorial Scholarship: Rebecca Lynn Dignum
Adams Outdoorsmen for Youth Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi, Jeanna L. Tinney
Adams Plumbing & Heating Scholarship: Matthew Sacco
Albin Anthony "Bunik" Biros Memorial Award: Nicholas David Berasi
Alexander C. W. McNichol Memorial Award: Zachary Ian Taylor
American Legion School Awards: Brittany Leigh Bradbury, Travis Gerry
Berkshire Community Berkshire Community College Foundation, Honorable Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick Scholarship: Chelsea Ganczar Bernard R. "Bucky" Bullett Scholarship: Heather Malloy Bruce Whitman Memorial Award: Katelyn Ashley Lavigne-Soucie Byrone & Rose Crum Scholarship: Melanie Lynn Lemaire Charles B. Cooper Memorial Scholarship: Kate Theresa Reardon Charlie Cooper Memorial Award: Joshua M. Briggs Cheshire Lion's Club: Andrew J. Wilk, Kate Theresa Reardon Clarksburg School PTG Scholarship: Heather Nicole Malloy D.A. Ponti Athletic Award: Kaitlin E. Hendrickson DAR Good Citizenship Award: Matthew R. Sacco Daniel H. Petithory Memorial Scholarship: Andrew J. Wilk Drury High School Soccer Team: James Sooyoung Kemper III Edwin E. Silvia Memorial Award: James Sooyong Kemper III Edwin P. Stawarz Memorial Scholarship: Max William LaCasse Excellence in Cabinet Making: Sarah Alyse Williams Excellence in Carpentry Award: Steven Denault FLAME Scholarship: Brittany Leigh Bradbury, Mitchell Steven Daniels, Nicholas William Daniels, Andrew J. Wilk Florida Education Association Scholarship: Brett Gelinas Francis Millard Memorial Scholarship: Adam Cottrell, Dean St. Jacques Francis Walsh Memorial Scholarship: Daniel Wood Celentano Frank N. Costa Scholarship: Gina Tatro Frank R. Stiles Post 125, American Legion Book Award in Memory of Paula J. Raymond: James Sooyong Kemper Frank R. Stiles Post 125, American Legion Auxiliary Anne Sacco Memorial Scholarship: Steven Senay Frank S. Lazarczyk Scholarship: Nicholas Daniels "Friends of McCann Technical School" Award: Kate Reardon George L. Knight Memorial Scholarship: Matt Sacco Greylock Community Club Scholarship: Sally Perras, Gina Tatro Greylock Federal Credit Union "Treat Everyone Better Than They Expect" Scholarship: Travis Gerry Greylock Elementary School PTG Florence and Jerry Siciliano Scholarship: Sally Ann Perras Hancock Citizens Scholarship Award: Sara Alyse Williams, Kristopher Basinger Hancock School Faculty Award: Sara Alyse Williams Heather Torres Memorial: Heather Malloy Helen Hickey George Scholarship: Kate Theresa Reardon Hoosac Bank Scholarship: Michelle Stone IEEE Science Scholarship: Matthew Cote Irene Chalmers Memorial Scholarship: Joshua A. Neville Joan Solari Memorial Award: Christine S. Leal Jocelyn E. LeClair Memorial Scholarship: Adam Cottrell, James Kemper "Joe" Choquette Memorial Award: Thomas D. Primmer John M. White, Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Ethan Cohane-Mann John W. Scarpitto Memorial Award: Sarah Alyse Williams Kellie Boyce Memorial Scholarship: Chelsea Lynn Gancarz La Fayette - Greylock Lodge of Masons: Samantha Kay Shepard Landmark Credit Union: Sally Perras Lynn Burdick Memorial Award: Christa Mary Griffin Maple Grove Civic Club Scholarship: Kaci Lea Cota, Travis Gerry Marshalltown Masonry Award: Mark Goerlach, Justin Wright Massachusetts School Superintendent's Association Award: Christine Leal Mathias and Dorothy Schneider Scholarship: Stephen J. Senay Jr. Matthew Zappone Memorial Scholarship: Travis Gerry MAVA/MVA Outstanding Vocational Student Award: Michelle Renee Stone Massachusetts Vocational Association Presidential Award: Adam Digennaro, Heather Malloy MA Vocational Association Technical Student Achievement Award: James Sooyong Kemper McCann Class of 2004 Award "In memory of Charlie Cooper": Adam DiGennaro McCann Class of 2004 Award "In memory of Monica Charron": Danielle Bulshey McCann Culinary Arts Club Scholarship: Michelle Renee Stone, Mitchell Steven Daniels McCann Culinary Arts Club Awards: Sally Ann Perras, Bridgit Marie Benoit McCann Culinary Arts Hall of Fame Award: Michelle Renee Stone McCann Faculty Association Awards: David Lemieux (Automotive), Sarah Alyse Williams (Carpentry), Brett James Gelinas (Computer Assisted Drafting), Christa Mary Griffin (Culinary Arts), Huguer Joel Alvarado (Electricity), Samantha Shepard (Information Technology), James Sooyong Kemper (Machine Technology), Adam DiGennaro (Metal Fabrication), Christine S. Leal (Office Technology) Nancy Perkins Memorial Scholarship: Brett Gelinas New Car Dealers Association: Brian K. Ploufe Night Cruzers of Berkshire County: Adam Church North Adams Fraternal Order of Eagles Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi, Matthew D. Sacco North Adams Historical Society Hoosac Tunnel Scholarship: Chelsea Lynn Ganczar North Adams Lodge of Elks: Kristopher Basinger North Adams Travel Club Book Award: Kristopher Basinger Peter L. Cantoni Memorial Award: Cassandra Lynn Vallieres Ray Hill Memorial Scholarship Post #996: Erika Andrews Richard Kliener Memorial Scholarship: Travis Gerry Robert D. Reynolds Memorial Award: Jeanna L. Tinney Salutatorian: Nicholas William Daniels School Nurse Award: Erika Andrews Scott M. Gliwski Memorial Scholarship: Michelle Renee Stone South Adams Savings Bank Scholarship: Erika Lynn Andrews, Gina Lynn Tatro Specialty Minerals: Zachary B. Gamache Sam Walton Community Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi State Street T - Neighborhood Kids Scholarship: Katrina Valotta Stephen Belouin Memorial Scholarship: Adam E. Cottrell Steven S. Ferrara Memorial Scholarship: Ashley Jean Czarnecki Thomas A. Grande Memorial Scholarship: Erika Lynn Andrews Tony M. & Anna B. Deep Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Ann Beverly Ugo "Specks" Bianchi Memorial Award: Travis Gerry Valedictorian: Christine S. Leal Vocational Achievement Award, Sons of Italy, Lodge 704: Brittany Christine Reeves Walter Timoney Memorial Award: Andrew D. G. Marchegiani William "Moose" Roberts Memorial Award: Ethan Cohane-Mann Williamstown Community Scholarships: Toran Manning Williamstown Rotary Club Scholarship: David E. Lemieux
