Miss Hall’s Students Named Pickett Scholars

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Recent Miss Hall’s School graduate Jamie Flynn, of Chester, N.Y., and rising senior MaryCatherine Balcom of Pittsfield have been named by the Lenox School Alumni Association as recipients of this year’s Mansfield Pickett Scholarships.

The awards are named in memory of Mansfield E. (Peter) Pickett, who was a longtime teacher both at the former Lenox School and at Miss Hall's School. The scholarships are given to two students who exhibit outstanding performance in academics and extracurricular activities. This is the 13 year the association has honored Miss Hall’s students.

Paul Denzel, Edward A. Miller Jr., and Robert J. Sansone, all representatives of the Lenox School Alumni Association, recently presented the awards to Jamie and MaryCatherine, who is known as MC. Both Jamie and MaryCatherine are active members of the MHS community.

Jamie, the daughter of Rita Flynn, is an Admission Ambassador, Science Peer Tutor, and an MHS Mentor, upperclasswomen who help new students adjust to life in a new school. An Honor Roll student, Jamie has also been a member of the MHS Technology Club and the International Student Alliance (ISA). Additionally, she is a competitive gymnast. Jamie will attend the University of Vermont in the fall.



MaryCatherine, the daughter of Michael and Roberta Balcom, is a Big Sister, MHS Mentor, Athletic Association co-Head, and a member of the MHS Student Council. An Honor Roll student, she is also a member of the School’s varsity basketball team and, as a sophomore, served on the Class Fundraising Committee. Additionally, as a freshwoman, MaryCatherine was a member of the Head of School’s Advisory Committee on Growth.

Mr. Pickett, who died in 1996, was beloved by students and faculty alike. The father of Tabitha Pickett Vahle, MHS Class of 1978, and grandfather of Wendy Panchy, MHS Class of 1985, Mr. Pickett taught Latin and English at Miss Hall’s from 1973 - when the Lenox School closed - to 1992. He also served as MHS Director of Development from 1973 to 1975.

The Lenox School Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the spirit and camaraderie of Lenox School, which was an independent, all-boy secondary school founded in 1926. The school operated on the grounds of what is today the home of Shakespeare & Company.

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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