BCC Students Receive National Scholarships

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Two Berkshire Community College students recently received national scholarships for their academic accomplishments. A press conference will be held Friday morning, April 10, at 9 in the Intermodal Education Center, where State Senator Benjamin Downing will present each student with a citation for their outstanding academic accomplishments.

Diana Seminario, a Nursing Major student from Pittsfield, Mass, was chosen as Massachusetts’ 2009 New Century Scholar, as the state’s highest-scoring student in the All-USA Academic team competition. She is representing the state at the 2009 convention of the American Association of Community Colleges in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 4 through April 6.

As a New Century Scholar, Seminario will receive a $2,000 stipend by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. She was also selected as a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar. Selection was based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. The Coca-Cola Scholar program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. As Gold Scholar, Diana received a certificate, gold medallion, and a check for $1,500.

Alan Will, an Environmental Science Major from Dalton, Mass, is BCC’s first recipient of the prestigious Morris K. Udall Scholarship, which is awarded to students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment. Will was awarded one of 80 merit-based scholarships to sophomore and junior level college students across the country.

The Udall foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields. Alan will receive up to $5,000 for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses, and attend the Udall Scholars orientation held in Tucson, Arizona, August 5 through 9.
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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