Berkshire BPW Career Advancement Scholarships Available

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Berkshire Business & Professional (BPW) organization will award career advancement scholarships to workingwomen residing in Berkshire County. Scholarships may be used for tuition, books, childcare, uniforms, or other related educational expenses.

The scholarship committee and trustees of Berkshire BPW’s non-profit affiliation, Berkshire County Education Council (BCEC), determine scholarship amounts and the number of scholarships awarded although not more than $500 will be awarded to each recipient.

The deadline for application submission is April 15, 2009. The scholarship awards will be presented at the June 1st dinner meeting. In 2008 $5000 in scholarships were awarded to Berkshire County area workingwomen. Each recipient can only be awarded up to $500 per the organizations bylaws.
 
Eligibility criteria are as follows:

1. Women who are 25 years of age or older.

2. Must reside in Berkshire County.
3. Must be employed full-time or part-time.
4. Must be enrolled in an educational program or course at an accredited college, technical or vocational school on a full-time or part-time basis.
5. Must complete the BBPW Career Advancement Scholarship Application Form and submit it with a personal statement (two-page limit).
6. Enclose two letters of recommendation.
 
Please encourage employees, colleagues, family, and co-workers who meet these criteria to complete an application. For additional information or an application, please contact BBPW Scholarship Committee Chair June Roy-Martin, Scholarship Chair at 442-4166 ext. 119 or contact her via email at jmartin@qualprint.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Holds Awards Banquet

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Friday honored outstanding contributors to the Berkshire County sports scene at its third annual Awards Dinner at the Polish Falcon Club.
 
The foundation supports youth sports throughout the county each year.
 
In 2025-26, those donations totaled more than $30,000 to groups ranging from youth football and cheerleading programs, Pittsfield Little League, Northern Berkshire Softball and the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club Recreation Therapy Program, to name a few.
 
Funds raised by the foundation also go to support its annual Vera Barborotta Memorial Sportsman Scholarship, which this year went to Lee High School graduate Joey Abderhalden and Taconic grad Madeline Harrington.
 
Two other recently graduated high school standout athletes were recognized as winners of the Al Bianchi Memorial Athletes of the Year: Madison McCarthy and Cooper Calvert, both of Wahconah Regional High School.
 
Pittsfield High School girls basketball coach Kristy Conyers and Hoosac Valley boys basketball coach Matt Larabee received the foundation's Coach of the Year Awards.
 
John Castonguay received the Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Living Legend Award. A.J. Ziter took home the Connie Bianchi Memorial Award of Merit. And Mark Moulton rounded out the honorees with the foundation's Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
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