Inaugural Youth Leadership Program Graduates 25
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During the last 10 weeks, 25 local high school students spent their weekends traveling to local businesses to learn how to be community leaders. Tuesday's graduation ceremony, held at Berkshire Community College, focused on the program's intention of keeping young, bright minds in the county.
"I kind of thought [the county] was dead for the most part," program graduate Enrique Bouvier, a Pittsfield High School student, said after the ceremony. "But now I see that it isn't."
The students were exposed to "real life" throughout the program, starting with a retreat to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where participants got a feel for college life, and concluding with visits to local businesses.
"We want you to stay in this county. We want you to be leaders here," said Denise Richardello, vice president of enrollment and external relations at MCLA. "We were very pleased to be part of the inaugural retreat."
The students were shown career opportunities in health care at Berkshire Medical Center, hospitality at Canyon Ranch, education at Pittsfield High School, energy at Jiminy Peak, engineering at General Dynamics and Sabic, and finance at local banks.
They also met with Mayor James Ruberto, Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, and lawyers from the Office of the District Attorney for a taste of public sector careers.
"There are so many different ways you can impact the rest of the community," Matt Bohin, a program graduate from Berkshire Christian School, said.
The students presented a keynote address that recapped the program and explained how their mindset had changed. When the students started the program it was just a "boring" way to earn college credits. As the program went on they made some new friends, found their career calling or reinvigorated their view of the county.
"It was helpful. It was definitely a good experience," John Martin, a Pittsfield High School student, said.
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While the students learned a lot about the county, Danielle Gonzalez, program chairwoman, said the organizers learned just as much from the students. Gonzalez said she was impressed with the intelligence and vigor of the county's students.
"I hope that you've gotten as much out of this as you've taught us," Gonzalez told the students. "We never imagined how much you'd teach us."
The program was led by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Bank and the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board.
"The sponsors recognize how important it is for us to show what opportunities are here for our youth," Chamber of Commerce President Mike Supranowicz said.
Gary Levante, Berkshire Bank Foundation Program Coordinator, told the students that when he was their age he wanted nothing else than to get out of the county. As he traveled around through college, he eventually came to the realization that Berkshire County was actually a great place to live and work.
"I came to appreciate the quality of life and the opportunities that we all often take for granted," Levante said. "Your future is not on a plane. Your future could be right here in Berkshire County."
BCREB Youth Coordinator Heather Shogry-Williams shared a similar recollection about her high school classmates who all left the area for work.
"They simply were not aware of the opportunities right here in Berkshire County," Shogry-Williams said. "I hope this will greatly influence your future decisions."
Ashley Sulock, program coordinator, said the program will grow by five students next year and organizers will have to make cuts because of the amount of applications. Next year's program will be similar but organizers may try to expand it in 2013 if interest remains high.
More photos are available here.
