McCann Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian of 2013

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Justin Kratz, principal of McCann Technical School, has announced that Marinna Burzimati, daughter of Frank Burzimati and Ann Kozik, is valedictorian and Michael Gancarz, son of Michael and Laurie Gancarz, as salutatorian for the graduating class of 2013.

Burzimati is a senior in the Culinary Arts Program. She is a recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award for Academic Excellence. She is an active member and chapter historian of SkillsUSA and has earned numerous undergraduate awards and is a member of the National Honor Society and McCann Book Club.  

She has participated in many volunteer activities including Meals on Wheels, SkillsUSA Adopt a Family, and assisting with the McCann Tech Book Fair. Burizimati will attend MCLA in the fall, majoring in psychology.


Gancarz, a senior in the Machine Technology Program, is a recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and numerous undergraduate awards. He is an active member of SkillsUSA earning gold and silver medals at the school and district competitions in automated manufacturing technology. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, and has been an officer in SkillsUSA for the past two years.  

He will be attending Westfield State University in the fall, majoring in criminal justice.

Both students will graduate from McCann Technical School with high honors at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, during exercises in the Amsler Campus Center, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.


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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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