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Mount Greylock students Cam Hadley, left, and Josh Narey lead a breakout session at Tuesday's summit.
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About 130 high school student-athletes from around the county participate in the fifth annual leadership summit.

High School Athletes Learn Leadership Lessons

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Sports
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John Martin, left, and Major League shortstop Nick Ahmed speak to Berkshire County high school athletes on Tuesday morning at the Boys & Girls Club in Pittsfield.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — One of the chief lessons of Tuesday's Berkshire County Student-Athlete Leadership Summit was that leaders serve those whom they lead.

But featured speaker John Martin gave the 130 high school students gathered in the Boys & Girls Club gym permission to be self-centered — if just for one day.

"When you have a chance to speak this morning in your breakout sessions, I want you to get a little bit selfish in your role as a leader," said Martin, a guidance counselor and coach at East Longmeadow High School and a director at Palmer's Advanced Performance Academy.

"Ask yourself how you can bring back what you can take back from us, from your other speakers, from your teammates and classmates. What can you bring back that will make your school and athletic program a better place to learn, to compete, to train together?"

One of those lessons is that being a leader means being a servant, but being a servant does not mean being subservient.

"I want to serve the needs of the people I'm trying to lead," explained Nick Ahmed, an East Longmeadow native and currently a shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks. "Everyone has needs. And needs for me are very different from wants. A lot of times, when I'm in a group of people, I'm aware these people have things they want and also things they really need.

"We can't be everything to everyone, but we do need to give people what they need. Sometimes that's hard because what they need isn't necessarily what they want. … We have to have the fortitude to say, 'This situation might be a little difficult, but I know in the long run it's going to be much more beneficial for this person, and I'm going to be much more significant in their life if we ruffle a few feathers in the beginning.

"Everyone needs to be respected. Everyone needs to have good communication. … We need to be told the truth. We need to be challenged. And we need a role model we can value."

Coaches and athletic directors from high schools across the county brought selected student-athletes to the fifth-annual leadership summit. In addition to hearing from Martin and Ahmed, participants took part in breakout sessions on topics with titles like "Your Leadership Style," "Positive Teammate" and "Making Teammates Better."



The hope is that the selected athletes will take some of those lessons back to their classrooms and practice fields and be the kinds of leaders others want to follow and should be following.

"An incredible amount of attention is paid to high school athletics," Pittsfield Public Schools Athletic Director Jim Abel said. "High school student-athletes are looked upon as leaders because of your role on your teams, your role in your schools and your role in the community. The impact that young people can make on the climate, culture and the overall vibe on your teams and your schools can't be emphasized enough."

Because everyone will follow someone's example, Ahmed told the group.

"Everyone is a leader," he said. "Not only the people sitting here but all the people back at your high school. But you're leading people in one of two directions. … Everyone knows the kid at the school who is not necessarily doing things right. Maybe he's using drugs, maybe he's skipping school, maybe he's stealing something. Who knows what he or she is doing. But, sure enough, someone is going to see that and be influenced.

"Somebody looks up to that person."

Events like Tuesday's help Ahmed to give back to those who helped lead him in the right direction as a high school star athlete.

"I enjoy the kids," he said after his morning presentation. "I think one of the girls in the back [of the bleachers] said it really well: You try to look for people you can lead who are younger than you. I was in their seat not that long ago. I remember what it was like. I still remember the challenges I faced and things I struggled with.

"I want to be able to give back and help out. Hopefully, the kids will not make the same mistakes I made. I just know how many people I've had in my life who have done the same for me. I owe it to them to give back as well."


Tags: high school sports,   leadership,   

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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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