Miss Hall's School Appoints Two Administrators

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Christine Higuera

Thomas M.S. Wheelock

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Miss Hall's School appointed two senior administrators to start the 2013-2014 academic year.
 
Pittsfield resident Christie Higuera, who has held many roles at MHS since joining the school in 2002, has been named dean of students, while Williamstown resident Thomas M.S. Wheelock has been named interim dean of academics and faculty.
 
In her new position, Higuera oversees all aspects of the student life program, including leadership development, residential life, advising and advocacy, and the continued advancement of the MHS Student Life Curriculum. Higuera previously served three years as assistant dean of students, from 2008 until 2010 as dean of student programs, from 2002 to 2008 as assistant to the academic program and assistant head of school. She has also held positions in the athletics department, including assistant director of athletics, varsity soccer coach and varsity basketball coach.
 
Higuera holds a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
 
Wheelock joins Miss Hall's from the Oregon Episcopal School, in Portland, Ore., where he served as academic dean and English teacher from 2008 to 2012. Wheelock began his career in 1981, teaching English and history at the Haverford School in Haverford, Pa., before serving as director of college counseling. He has also held administrative and teaching posts at the Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School in St. Louis, Miss.; The Altamont School, in Birmingham, Ala., where he was head of school; and St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie, La. 
 
Wheelock holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an Master of Arts in English from Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.).
 
In their new positions, Higuera and Wheelock also join the Miss Hall's School Senior Council, the senior management team that meets regularly to exchange information, set policy, advise the head of school and anticipate future needs.
 
"I am pleased to welcome these two seasoned administrators," said MHS Interim Head of School Mary H. Grant. "With her institutional knowledge and relationships with the students, Christie has certainly hit the ground running. Tom brings a wealth of administrative and classroom experience that will serve us well. I look forward to a strong year with both of these team members."
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026. 
 
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
 
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities. 
 
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
 
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society,  the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate. 
 
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student. 
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