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Mt. Greylock Graduates Leave Legacy of Service

WILLIAMSTOWN — At every graduation, they talk about all the wonderful things the grads are going to do.

At Mount Greylock Regional High School on Saturday, they also kept the focus on everything the Class of 2013 has done.

Superintendent Rose Ellis praised the 81 grads for for logging more than 600 hours of community service this year alone, and she highlighted one service project that helped make graduation day possible for students that most of the youngsters in the Mount Greylock gymnasium would never meet.

"Your public service has already helped shape the world around you and has even reached the other side of the world -- to Afghanistan," Ellis said. "In April 2006, the Surkh Abat girls high school was established.

This all-girls school, built for 500 in the Logar province of Afghanistan was founded by local community members Don and Sally Goodrich and dedicated to their son Peter, who passed away on Sept. 11, 2011. Peter's brother attended Mount Greylock.

"With guidance from faculty members Larry Bell and Lisa Jennings, two of our student groups, Amnesty International and the Peer Team, committed themselves to help this fledgling school."

For the last two years, Mount Greylock students helped develop a science curriculum for students at the Afghan school. The lesson plans were translated to Pashtu in Afghanistan by former Mount Greylock international students, Ellis said.

"This year, the Surkh Abat all-girl high school that you have supported ... is graduating its first class of 17 students," Ellis said.

Not a bad item on the resume of a class that started its time at the school a little less auspiciously.

"By the end middle school, our class had gained a reputation by some of one of the worst behaved classes ever to come through Mount Greylock," said Hank Barrett, who was chosen by his classmates to speak at the ceremony. "Middle School is supposed to be a difficult couple of years, but our class seemed to have a little more trouble than most. While walking down the hall, you were likely to be met by a mixture of sweat, body odor, certain amounts of 'Axe' body spray and even the occasional scent of burning hair.

"Fights, which were rare at Mount Greylock, and some issues of bullying, were just a few of the things that reflected poorly on our class.

"But there were way more good memories than bad, even in the early days."

And Barrett, the son of a faculty member who said he "grew up at the school," was proud to report that the class some loathed is now lauded.

"Who knew the critical remarks we heard in middle school would turn to, 'This class is special,'?" Barrett said. "I have heard that phrase so many times this year, and it is true.

"Anything that this group of kids is passionate about really took off in the last couple of years. They have put on incredible theatrical performances ... we have dominated the county in almost every single sport as well as winning multiple Western Mass and state championships. And on top of our countless successful extracurricular, we have managed to continuously hold a high standard both in the classroom and in our community."

Ellis noted that 18 of the graduates -- or 22 percent of the class -- are members of the National Honor Society. Several of those students were singled out for class honors on Saturday.

Honorees included: Naomi Marie Day (English), Margot Louise Besnard (history), Jonah Abrams Majumder (math), Celeste Thoman Venolia (science), Miranda Caspian Park (foreign language), Jonah Abrams Majumder (Latin), Kristina Marie Fiske (art), Lindsey Johan Wick (music), Michala Jane Dean (business technology), Benjamin Scott Alley and Celeste Thoman Venolia (wellness).

Five students shared the John B. Clark Scholars Award, selected by the faculty and given to students who show outstanding promise of success in higher education: Michala Jane Dean, Molly Rosenthal Graether, Jonah Abrams Majumder, Nathan Abrams Majumder and Celeste Thoman Venolia.

The class turned around and honored math teacher and boys basketball coach Rob Thistle as the school's educator of the year.

Outgoing interim principal Christopher Barnes took advantage of his turn at the microphone to talk about how the graduates had exemplified the elements of "The Greylock Way," a set of core principles introduced during the seniors' time at the school built on the acronym ARISE: accountability, respect, integrity, stewardship and excellence.

"We've been together two years at Mount Greylock, and you've taught me a lot," Barnes said. "Over the past two years here at Mount Greylock, I've spent a lot of time in every classroom. I've been to dozens and dozens of sporting events. I've attended many drama productions, and I've chaperoned a lot of dances.

"Everywhere, in all of these places, I've seen The Greylock Way. It's more than just an acronym. It's a philosophy of living."

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.