image description — Fourteen students from across the Berkshires graduated from 1Berkshire's Youth Leadership Program on Tuesday, May 7.

1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2019

10:58AM / Friday, May 10, 2019Print Story | Email Story

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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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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