Taconic High School Scholarships & Awards 2015

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were presented at Awards Night on Monday, June 8, to the Taconic High School class of 2015.

Valedictorian: Anna K. Leonard

Salutatorian: Alexander M. Stevens

Academic Excellence Awards in:

• Art: Mollie Rose I. Amuso
• AP Literature: Evan A. Kalinowsky & Anna K. Leonard
• English Award: Stephen P. Hicks & Haley E. Milne
• History: Anna K. Leonard
• AP Psychology: Alexander M. Stevens

Academic Excellence Awards in Foreign Language:

• French: Dina E. Bilotta
• Italian: Christopher G. Maffuccio
• Latin: Nar Lin
• Spanish: Matthew C. Rabasco

Academic Excellence Awards in Mathematics:

• AP Calculus: Michael A. DiGrigoli
• AP Statistics: Nicholas B. Turner
• Intro Calculus: Patrick J. Tierney
• Pre-Calculus: Matthew D. Lack

Academic Excellence Awards in Science:

• Anatomy and Physiology: Joshua P. Berthiaume, Kerstin N. Johnson & Nar Lin
• Senior Science Research: Kerstin N. Johnson & Lydia E. McKnight

Academically Outstanding Achievement Awards in:

• Biology: Patrick J. Tierney
• Environmental Science: Haley N. Seguin
• Physics: Anna K. Leonard

Academic Improvement Awards in

• AP Literature: Jonathan M. Placido
• English: Kelsey L. Moore & Jeno J. Teti

Academy of Business Management Certificate Awards: Jamie C. Behrent, Gillian M. Campbell, Daniel P. Carroll, Rachael A. Donahue, Matthew J. Gingras, Shea K. Hassett, Christopher G. Maffuccio, Mitchell J. Omelenchuck, Bailey N. Prescott

Academy of Human Services Certificate Awards: Joshua R. Boulerice, Jillian G. Campbell, Dominic M. Castagna, Cassandra L. Crowley, Kirklan J. Doherty, Matthew B. Ferris, Kyle R. Furey, Nicholas A. Geranios, Alison E. Gregory, Jocelyn M. Guelce, Isaiah C. Janey, Jordynne T. LaCasse, Matthew D. Lack, Heather A. Massey, Alexandra W. McKnight, Kelsey L. Moore, Jonathan M. Placido, Kevin R. Squires, Jr., Nicholas B. Turner & Ryan S. Ziter

Academy of Information Technology Certificate Awards: Anthony G. Balsamo, Jonathan P. Bell, Michael H. Boc, Charles A. Davis Jr., Austin P. Gaudette, John C. Keegan, Troy A. Phelps, Nicholas P. Rufo, Shaun D. Squires, Alexander M. Stevens, Michael J. Swint, Liam S. Tremlett

Academy of Science and Engineering Certificate Awards: Basile N. Addy, Nilsa M. Attanasio, Joshua P. Berthiaume, Alyssia E. Bonacquisti, Andrew J. Chenail, Sarah A. Cicchetti, Patrick D. Gallagher, Ashlyn M. Holden, Morgan E. Holm, Kerstin N. Johnson, Evan A. Kalinowsky, Lydia E. McKnight, Haley E. Milne, Molly E. Najimy, Brianna R. Rogers, Yasmin C. Rojas, Haley N. Seguin, Viola A. Sharron, Sarah J.Tierney & Zoia Zahid

American Legion Auxiliary President's Educational Awards: Kelsey L. Moore & Patrick J. Tierney

Business Professionals of America Awards: Jamie C. Behrent, Jonathan P. Bell, Gillian M. Campbell, Daniel P. Carroll, Rachael A. Donahue, Shea K. Hassett, Mitchell J. Omelenchuck, Bailey N. Prescott & Liam S. Tremlett

Career Technical Education Awards

• Auto Body: Manuel A. Aragon
• Auto Mechanics: Jacob C. Balsamo
• Culinary Arts: Jessica R. Bilotta
• Health Technology: Shelby L. Provencher
• Manufacturing Technology: Jules A. Gillette
• Metal Fabrication: Christian J. Friend

Cisco Network Certification (CCNA1) Awards: Michael H. Boc

Daughters of the American Revolution "Good Citizen" Award: Shea K. Hassett

Health Technology Awards
Certified Nursing Assistant Certificates, Alzheimers Care Giver Training, American Heart Association CPR and First Aid: Alyssa R. Barnes, Kaylee M. Beauregard, Taylor L. Blake, Mikayla E. Catalano, Cortnee A. Clemons, Quincy M. Fernandez Corredor, Sabrina L. Mason, Mallory C. Mineau, Nastasha G. Provencher, Shelby L. Provencher, Venesa A. Purcell, Janataj K. Wright & Alexandra L. Zuber

Louis Green Post 140Jewish War Veterans Award "Classmate Today, Neighbor Tomorrow": Troy A. Phelps

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence Awards: Anna K. Leonard & Alexander M. Stevens

Massachusetts Foreign Language Association Award for:

• Excellence in Spanish: Anna K. Leonard
• Leadership in Spanish: Michael H. Boc

Massachusetts Secondary School Administration Student Achievement Award: Jamie C. Behrent

Massachusetts Vocational Association

• Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award: Jessica R. Bilotta
• Presidential Certificate of Merit Award: Taylor L. Blake
• Vocational Technical Student Achievement Award Nominee: Jules A. Gillette

National French Honor Society Awards: Dina E. Bilotta, Joshua R. Boulerice, Molly E. Murphy & Viola A. Sharron

National Merit Commended Student Awards: Karen R. Amichia, Patrick D. Gallagher & Anna K. Leonard

Outstanding Student in Physical Education Awards: Female: Lauren P. Mangiardi; Male: Andrew R. Stevens

Perfect Attendance for Four Years Award: Taylor L. Blake

Pittsfield Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Co-Chair Awards: Jillian G. Campbell, Shea K. Hassett & Brice A. Ovitt

Pittsfield Rotary Club Service Above Self Awards: Jules A. Gillette, Shea K. Hassett & Bailey N. Prescott

SkillsUSA: Achievement Award: Jessica R. Bilotta; Leadership Award: Jules A. Gillette

Speck O'Boyle Award: David J. Jones Jr.

Taconic High School Music Awards Excellence in Chorus: Brianna M. Bigos, Sarah A. Cicchetti, Lauren P. Mangiardi, Mitchell J. McCauley & Brice A. Ovitt

Most Improved in Chorus: Shanti L. Ice-Chiappetta & Asia T. Rolan

Outstanding Achievement in Chorus: Jacob E. Giblin, Kevin R. Stasiewski, Andrew R. Stevens, Patrick J. Tierney & Braxton F. Vittori

Excellence in Concert Band: Anna K. Leonard

Excellence in Theater: Michael A. DiGrigoli, Jacob E. Giblin & Braxton F. Vittori

Most Improved in Theater: Andrew J. Baillargeon

Outstanding Achievement in Theater: Brianna M. Bigos, Shanti L. Ice-Chiappetta, Mitchell J. McCauley & Brice A. Ovitt

Outstanding Achievement in Technical Theater: Mollie Rose I. Amuso & Patrick D. Gallagher

Thomas Scagliarini Vocational Athletic Award: Trevor M. Schweitzer

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Awards: Female Varsity: Shea K. Hassett; Male Varsity: Nicholas B. Turner

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award: Anna K. Leonard

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 "Voice of Democracy" Essay Award: Michael H. Boc

 

Scholarships

Allendale School PTO Scholarship given in Memory of Janice P. Oboyski: Karen R. Amichia

Bell Family Education Scholarship: Kelsey L. Moore

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Pittsfield Lodge 272 Scholarships: Jamie C. Behrent, Shea K. Hassett, Nar Lin & Bailey N. Prescott

Berkshire Bank Foundation Scholarships: Alyssa R. Barnes & Patrick J. Tierney

Berkshire Community College Foundation

• Scholarships: Kevin C. Aldam, Dina E. Bilotta, Jessica R. Bilotta, Selina M. Guerrero, Ruchelle N. Jison, Matthew D. Lack & Ryan S. Ziter
• Grace S. Hampel Scholarships: Keely C. Baker, Anthony G. Balsamo, Jeremy C. Stinson & Michael J. Swint
• J. Edward Dery Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Dina E. Bilotta
• Michael Grogan Memorial Scholarship: Mollie Rose I. Amuso

Berkshire County Arc Scholarship: Molly E. Murphy

Berkshire Premier Soccer Scholarship in Memory of Kathy Sinico and Don Agar: Lauren P. Mangiardi

Bianchi-Barbarotta Sportsman Scholarship: Matthew C. Rabasco

Big Y Scholarships for Academic Excellence: Anna K. Leonard, Alexander M. Stevens & Patrick J. Tierney

Capeless Elementary School Eugene T. O'Brien Scholarship: Matthew C. Rabasco

Carolyn T. Sacco Memorial Scholarship: Shea K. Hassett

Charles A. Persip Post 68 American Legion Scholarship: Jordynne T. LaCasse; Career Technical Scholarship: Jules A. Gillette

CIAO Berkshire County Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Lauren P. Mangiardi & Kevin R. Squires Jr.

Civitan Community Scholarship: Jamie C. Behrent

Clarence D.J. McNeil and Family Memorial Scholarship: Viola A. Sharron

Coach Bob O'Neil Basketball Scholarship: Shea K. Hassett

Coach "Butch" Stannard Memorial Scholarship: Joshua P. Berthiaume

Crosby Elementary School PTO Scholarships: Troy A. Phelps & Janataj K. Wright

Daniel F. Koziol Memorial Scholarship: Brice A. Ovitt

Donald C. Dwyer / South Little League Scholarship: Nicholas B. Turner

Don Gleason Memorial Scholarship: Nicholas B. Turner

Elks National Foundation "Most Valuable Student" Scholarship: Patrick J. Tierney

Francis J. Quirico Educational Foundation Scholarships: Jonathan P. Bell, Michael H. Boc, Shea K. Hassett, Nar Lin, Mitchell J. McCauley, Kelsey L. Moore, Molly E. Najimy, Bailey N. Prescott, Cassandra E. Sears, Alexander M. Stevens & Andrew R. Stevens

Frosthollow Fund Scholarship: Jamie C. Behrent

Gene Case Memorial Scholarship: Shea K. Hassett

Gerard Tillman Memorial Scholarships: Quincy M. Fernandez Corredor & Ivan J. Gonzalez

Gift for Life Scholarship International Bowling Campus Youth Committee: Patrick J. Tierney

Girls Inc. of the Berkshires Berkshire Community College Foundation Scholarship: Jessica R. Bilotta

• Boys Baseball Scholarship: Daniel P. Carroll
• Culinary Scholarship: Jessica R. Bilotta
• Girls Softball Scholarship: Jillian G. Campbell

Thomas J. Curtis Memorial Scholarship: Joshua R. Schnopp

Timothy F. Jones Memorial Scholarships: Belinda Boateng, Joshua R. Boulerice & Shelby L. Provencher

UNICO

• Francis Sanginetti Scholarship: Mitchell J. McCauley
• George Cavallero Scholarship: Mitchell J. Omelenchuck
• Honorable Anthony Ruberto Scholarship: Alyssia E. Bonacquisti
• Honorable Francis Quirico Scholarship: Dina E. Bilotta
• Joseph Colombari Scholarship: Jessica R. Bilotta
• Louis Shogry and Edward Christiano Scholarship: Hannah C. Barbarotta

United Educators of Pittsfield Scholarships: Jillian G. Campbell & Sarah A. Cicchetti

 

Scholarships Awarded By Schools And Colleges

Culinary Institute of America: Cassandra E. Sears

Elms College: Joshua P. Berthiaume & Molly E. Najimy

Fitchburg State University: Hannah C. Barbarotta

Gordon College: Bailey N. Prescott

Lasell College: Jamie C. Behrent

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Belinda Boateng, Molly E. Murphy & Zoia Zahid

Mount Ida College: Quincy M. Fernandez Corredor

Providence College: Shea K. Hassett

Rochester Institute of Technology: Michael H. Boc & Alexander M. Stevens

Sacred Heart University: Haley E. Milne

Sage College: Joshua R. Schnopp

Southern New Hampshire University: Kelsey L. Moore

Springfield College: Jordynne T. LaCasse

Syracuse University: Nicholas B. Turner

Tufts University: Karen R. Amichia

Union College: Nar Lin

University of Massachusetts at Amherst: Kerstin N. Johnson & Mitchell J. Omelenchuck

University of Massachusetts at Lowell: Andrew R. Stevens

Western New England University: Rachael A. Donahue & Patrick J. Tierney

Williams College: Anna K. Leonard

Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Matthew C. Rabasco

Worcester State University: Alyssia E. Bonacquisti
 

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.