Pittsfield's L'Hote, Lee's Nason Honored at Miss Hall's School

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Miss Hall’s School has announced that four of its student-athletes have been named league all-star recognitions for the second consecutive year, recognizing their performances during the fall athletics season.
 
Seniors Simone Brown, of Pelham, N.Y., and Mikala L'Hote, of Pittsfield, were again named all-stars for the Western New England Prep School Volleyball Association (WNEPSVA), while seniors Diamond Best, of Danvers, and Sally Nason, of Lee, were again named all-stars for the Women’s Western New England Prep School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA).
 
Brown and L’Hote served as captains for the MHS varsity volleyball team, which made the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) playoffs for the sixth time in eight seasons. Brown, a four-year varsity starter playing setter/outside hitter, recorded 141 kills, 80 assists, and 54 aces, while L’Hote, also a four-year starter playing setter/outside hitter, tallied 141 assists, 97 kills, and 82 aces. Simone and Mikala also bBoth played in the league all-star game held on Nov. 6 at the Husky Volleyball Den, in Windsor, Conn.
 
Best and Nason, both four-year varsity soccer starters for the Hurricanes, were among the captains and key veterans for the squad. Best, a three-sport varsity athlete at MHS, tallied 11 goals and four assists while playing midfield and forward for the Hurricanes. Nason, a two-sport varsity athlete making her third straight soccer all-star team, recorded 16 goals and 8 assists while playing midfield. Both also played in the league all-star game held on Nov. 13 at The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories