1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2019
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fourteen students from across the Berkshires graduated from 1Berkshire's Youth Leadership Program on Tuesday, May 7. Having completed the entirety of this 10-month leadership program, the students shared the product of their collective impact project with attending family, friends, and regional leaders, and were recognized for their program completion.
For their collective impact project, the Class of 2019 chose to conduct a sustainability fair in coordination with the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market. Through their project, they engaged more than 60 people and helped educate them about ways to be more environmentally sustainable in their own lives. Additionally, the students conducted an year long fundraiser series, and during their graduation ceremony, they provided a check to Berkshire Children and Families in the sum of $338 to help support the meaningful work of their organization.
Students shared their own feelings about their experience in the program during their project presentation, 2019 graduate Elena Crane Cuerda noted that participation in the the program "has opened my eyes to many of the opportunities the Berkshires hold." This sentiment was a consistent theme in the remarks made by the students.
The Youth Leadership Program Class of 2019 is the ninth class in the program’s history. The participants are: Adam Boscarino of Monument Mountain Regional High School; Alex Morin of Mount Greylock Regional High School; Aliyah Heideman of Pittsfield High School; Allison Henderson of Pittsfield High School; Alyssa Anderson of BART Charter School; Annabell Allessio of Wahconah Regional High School; Avery Price of Wahconah Regional High School; Catherine Boino of Wahconah Regional High School; Elena Crane Cuerda of Lenox Memorial High School; Emelyn Theriault of Pittsfield High School; Gwyn Smith of Pittsfield High School; JT Novitsky of Lenox Memorial High School; Madison Tatro of Drury High School; and Szofia Lewis of Pittsfield High School.
"These students are the future of the Berkshires, and beyond, and we are excited to see what that future looks like," Program Director Ben Lamb said.
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