image description

Berkshire County Arc Awards Scholarships to Five Local High School Seniors

Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc and the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group have awarded scholarships ranging upwards from $1,000 to the following five high school seniors who demonstrated outstanding prior involvement with individuals with disabilities and the potential to contribute to the field of human services.

The students are:

· Jessie Downer, Wahconah Regional High School (Recipient of the Carol Craighead Memorial Scholarship Award, which is funded by Berkshire County Arc and the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group)

· Anthony Melski, Pittsfield High School

· Aubrey Milligan, Wahconah Regional High School



· Mehgan Warner, Wahconah Regional High School

· Crystal Wojcik, Hoosac Valley High School

Downer's scholarship is the Seventh Annual Carol Craighead Memorial Scholarship Award, which is presented in memory of Carol Craighead, who was a Berkshire County Arc Board member, volunteer and supporter for more than 40 years.

An independent panel of community members consisting of Daniel Dillon, relationship development officer of Greylock Federal Credit Union; Shirley Edgerton, retiree from the Department of Developmental Services; June Hailer, chairperson of the Pittsfield Commission on Disabilities; and Lee Ann Pettus, secretary of the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group, selected the winners. Funds for the scholarships were raised through Berkshire County Arc's Annual Golf Classic and the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group.

 


Tags: bcarc,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories