Wahconah Juniors Heading to Boys' and Girls' State Event

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DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School principal Aaron Robb has announced that delegates from the junior class have been chosen to represent the school at Boys' and Girls' State, model legislatures sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

The following students will represent Wahconah at Massachusetts Boys'/Girls' State to be held June 11-17 at Stonehill College in North Easton. They were selected by balloting among faculty, administration and guidance personnel based on service, scholarship, citizenship, sportsmanship, character and leadership.

Boys' State is sponsored by the Benjamin F. Sullivan Post No. 155 of the American Legion, with Eric Jacobson serving as chairman, and Girls' State by the Legion Auxiliary, with Gloria Schilling as chairperson.

Jessie Downer is the daughter of Daniel and Susan Downer of Dalton. Jessie is class secretary, president of National Honor Society, co-president of the DISCOVER group to promote tolerance, and secretary for Senior Assembly. She is a member of the Latin Club, Mock Trial, Student Council, Green Umbrella, Tribe, Rotary Interact and the Prom Committee. She played softball and served as manager for girls basketball and girls soccer. Jessie coaches youth basketball and soccer, serves on the Dalton Community Recreation Association (CRA) Youth Advisory Board, is a CCD teacher, a counselor at Camp Holy Cross, and participates in several Buddy Games and activities.

Jillian Gaudette is the daughter of Daniel and Josephine Gaudette of Dalton. Jillian is a member of the National Honor Society, the Senior Assembly Committee and the Prom Committee. She volunteers at the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter and works with students with special needs in school and through the Buddy Walk, Buddy Games and Buddy baseball. Jillian was nominated to attend the National Young Leaders Forum in Medicine.

Brandy Giansiracusa is the daughter of Julia Giansiracusa of Dalton and Eric Giansiracusa of Pittsfield. Brandy plays in the Wahconah Band and is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance, the French Club, Mock Trial, Green Umbrella and Student Ambassadors. She is on the Prom Committee and the Senior Assembly Steering Committee. Brandy has played volleyball and served as manager and competes in track and field. She also volunteers at Notchview Ski Resort.

Alexis Kays is the daughter of Daniel and Colleen Kays of Dalton. Alexis has served as class treasurer and Student Advisory Council representative. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the DISCOVER team, and student council. She is a varsity cheerleader and coaches youth cheerleading. Alexis is a camp counselor at Bible Camp and volunteers at fundraisers and at Moments House.


Morgan Therrien is the daughter of Paul and Donna Therrien of Lanesborough. Morgan is a member of Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Tribe and Apollonian Players. She served on the Senior Assembly Steering Committee and has participated in softball and swimming. She  is involved with her church youth group and has volunteered with the Tanglewood Ambassadors and with senior citizens.

Daniel Brainerd is the son of George Baldasarre and Deidre Brainerd of Dalton. Daniel serves as teasurer of the Business Professionals of America, is a member of Rotary Interact, National Honor Society, Quiz Team , Mock Trial and the Morning News Team and played the lead role in the spring musical. He is captain of the cross country running team and a member of the track and swimming teams. Daniel volunteers at the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter and represents Wahconah on the Berkshire County Youth Advisory Board.

Hayden Cantoni is the son of James Peters and Angela Cantoni of Dalton. Hayden is a member of the National Honor Society and Rotary Interact. He plays varsity soccer, cross country skiing and track. He has participated in several community and school improvement projects as a Boy Scout. Hayden was selected to participate in a science conference hosted by Harvard University.

Dalton Dean is the son of Stephen and Sharon Dean of Dalton. Dalton is a member of the Senior Assembly Steering Committee and Rotary Interact. He is a member of the Wahconah soccer, nordic skiing, and track and field teams. Dalton also played soccer for the Global Premier Soccer Team.

Connor Mathews is the son of Christopher and Kimberly Mathews of Dalton. Connor is a member of Student Council, the National Honor Society, the DISCOVER team, and he hosted the school’s annual talent show. His sports include football, basketball and track and field.  He serves on the Dalton CRA Youth Advisory Board and as a sportsmanship mentor for elementary school children. Connor tutors as the Dalton Youth Center and lectors at his church.

Max McIlquham is the son of Mark and Kelly Mcilquham of Hinsdale. Max is a member of the Latin Club, the DISCOVER team, and Rotary Interact, and he is on the Senior Assembly Steering Committee. He has participated in football, basketball, lacrosse and track and field. Max has participated in several fundraising activities for charity.

Samuel Pyser is the son of Neil and Michelle Pyser of Hinsdale.  Samuel belongs to the Quiz Team and the Robotics Club as well as Rotary Interact and the National Honor Society. He competes in cross country running, track and field, and cross country skiing, where he has been recognized as MVP and captain. Samuel has been on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Committee for 10 years.

 


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Dalton Health Dept. Develops Temporary Food Event Info Sheet

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass.—The Board of Health approved an amended version of a Temporary Food Event Informational Sheet.
 
Health Agent Agnes Witkowski and her Administrative Assistant Christina Parkington developed this information sheet to streamline the permitting process for temporary food events. 
 
Before this information sheet, Witkowski would work with event organizers to determine the vendors. Then Witkowski and Parkington would reach out to the vendors with applications and information. 
 
"There's times when we even had somebody show up as a vendor not being permitted and then they're looking for what we require. Well, this is to help organize that and to make it smoother," Witkowski said. 
 
This document will be given to the event organizer and the vendors. 
 
"I think it's just good communication, and it's helping guidelines and expectations," Witkowski said. 
 
The sheet instructs the event coordinator to provide the Board of Health with a contact list of all vendors 30 days before the event. The list must include the vendor's name, contact person, phone number, and email address.
 
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