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McCann Pins Nine LPN Graduates

Susan Watson, coordinator of the practical nursing program, asked the graduates to be 'change agent' in the field.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School graduated nine practical nursing students during Wednesday's pinning ceremony.

"Last January I told them it would be a very difficult year and they would have to band together and they would have to work together as a team," Superintendent James Brosnan said Wednesday as he opened the ceremony.

"All of that has come true and you earned this, and we are very proud of you."

Practical Nursing Coordinator Susan Watson asked the graduate's families to stand and be recognized for the support they have given to the graduates.

Watson told the graduates they have many different career options now but asked them to change what they see as weaknesses in their field.

"I know each of you have the ability to become a change agent in the world of health care…a person that can transform an organization focusing on matters such effectiveness, improvement, and development," she said. "I know each one of you is capable of doing this."

Watson introduced the keynote speaker Joyce Forth, who has been a clinical instructor in the program since its inception in 2007.

Forth, who is retiring from clinical instruction, told the graduates of her time as a student at St. Luke's Hospital in the 1950's where she and her fellow students were "pioneers" and actually staffed the hospital.

"I love nursing as much today as I did then, and it has been a wonderful career and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did and still do," she said.

She said although back in her day there were fewer options for nurses, in today's health care world there are many opportunities and she told the students to follow whatever career path they see fit.

She said no matter what field in health care they choose after graduation there will be a point where they "become a nurse."

"We had studied the art and science of nursing but there is a step between graduating and becoming fully confident in your own skin with patients," she said.

"I call it becoming a nurse. In a year you will know exactly what I am talking about and it will hit you. You will be on your way and you won't be afraid of anything."

Both Erika Munson, of Adams, and Ashley Witto, of Pittsfield, received the Fay Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship.

The Fay Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Fosser who graduated from the LPN program, went on to earn her registered nursing degree, and worked as a nurse locally. Fosser died in 1984, at the age of 29.

Munson also received the Highest Academic Award.

Witto was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award.

Katelynn Ruusukallio, of Pittsfield, was awarded the perfect attendance award. However, she was unable to attend graduation. 

The graduates are:

Erika Munson, Adams

Paige Howland, North Adams

Audrey Johnson, North Adams

Ashley Rancourt, North Adams

Kristina Geranios, Pittsfield

Peter Geranios, Pittsfield

Katelin Henault, Pittsfield

Katelynn Ruusukallio, Pittsfield

Ashley Witto, Pittsfield

Annual Teen Invitational Draws More Than 300 Submissions

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:05PM / Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Grand-prize winner this year is Owen Hindes, a student at Buxton School, for his drawing on black paper. See more photos here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — More than 300 students from area high schools entered their work in 12th annual Teen Invitational at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

 

The event is a collaboration between the museum and high school art teachers to inspire young artists and stimulate their creativity.

 

"These students look to their teachers for that encouragement who say, 'keep going,' who say, 'yes, it is good enough to be seen, submit your work,' and we are so thrilled that they do this every day," Lisa Dent director of public programs. "Every year the participation is different, but we're excited to see that there was participation across all 10 schools and all 10 schools are going to be recognized for the work that they've done."

 

Participating were Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School in Adams; Buxton School in Williamstown; Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y.; Drury High in North Adams; The Academy in Charlemont; Hoosac Valley High School in Cheshire; McCann Technical School in North Adams; Mount Greylock Regional School in Williamstown; Pine Cobble School in Williamstown; and Pittsfield High School. 

 

The student exhibition opened on Friday night with a reception, award ceremony and performance by the Drury band and ran through Sunday. There were five $100 awards and one grand prize of $200, sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle. Each recipient also was presented a book from the Artist Foundation for their classroom. 

 

"We do our best to also recognize individuals who really had the judges had spinning in a good way," said Dent. "These are artists, young artists who we felt like went above and beyond this year, who we felt like deserve a little bit more of the encouragement as we see the extraordinary way that they have moved their practices and presented their work this year."

 

The $100 winners were Ariel Lachman of McCann Technical School for his miniature version of E.J. Hill's "Brake Run Helix" that recently ended its run at the museum; Shayna Tarr of Darrow School for her textile work; Finn McCafferty of Mount Greylock Regional School for a landscape painting; Marlee Alpi, also from Mount Greylock, for her landscape painting; and Miles Boukalik of Buxton School for his ceramic pieces.