Taconic High Announces 2012 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Principal John Vosburgh has announced that Taconic High School's 42nd commencement exercises will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 1, p.m. at the school.

Alexis Jayne Savery has been named valedictorian with a grade of 102.5 and Christopher James Coughlin is the salutatorian with a grade of 101.2.

Savery is the daughter of Thomas and Jayne Savery of East Acres Road. She is a member of the National Honors Society, French Club, Book Club, National Merit Commended Scholar, and received the Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence.

She was the Academic Award recipient for Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Pre-Calculus, Novice and Advanced French, Honors Physics and Physical Education. She also received the Williams Book Award and was named an AP Scholar with Honors for her outstanding scores on her AP exams. Savery scored Advanced on all three MCAS exams, with a perfect score on her math MCAS test, and received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

She is the captain of the varsity tennis team, is a Book Club member, volunteers at St. Mark's School, helping students with their homework, and works part time.

In the fall, Savery will attend Williams College and major in mathematics.


Coughlin is the son of Peter and Sheila Coughlin of Michael Drive. He is the vice president of the National Honor Society, secretary of Taconic's Science and Engineering Academy, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and received the Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence.

He was the Academic Award recipient for Honors Spanish, Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Chemistry. He also received the Dartmouth College Book Award and was named as an AP Scholar with Distinction for outstanding scores on five or more AP exams. Scoring Advanced on all three MCAS exams, with a perfect score on the math exam, Coughlin received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

He is a doubles player for the tennis team and a standing member of the U.S. Tennis Association. In addition, Coughlin is a member of the Student Advisory Council to the School Committee, Class Council, Quiz Team, Spanish Club and Book Club. He is also a participant of the Youth Leadership Program and participated in the Regional Science Fair and Mentor-Protege  Program. He volunteers for various programs and as a peer tutor and is a senior leader at the Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club.

In the fall, Coughlin will attend Georgetown University as a pre-medical student.

Tags: graduation 2012,   valedictorian,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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