Adams Scholars Recognized at MCLA
 Taconic High School senior Havah Flores, left, and mom Michele Berkeley were at the MCLA reception honoring Adams Scholars. Flores' MCAS results scored her free tuition at a state college. |
"I cried when she brought the letter home," said Michele Berkeley of Pittsfield. "I'm extremely proud of her. She worked so hard."
The Taconic High School senior's combined test scores in English language and math placed her in the top 25 percent of her graduating class — and won her free tuition to any state college. That will come in handy when she attends Westfield State College, where she's considering majoring in psychology or education.
Flores was among some 60 graduating seniors recognized on Monday at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for their achievements. Berkshire County produced 250 John and Abigail Adams Scholars, who ranked advanced or proficient on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.
The scholarships provide for eight semesters of tuition waivers at the state's community and six four-year colleges and its university system. While it doesn't cover ballooning fees and other costs, the tuition waiver can make a huge difference for families paying college bills.
"I'm ecstatic. This will help out tremendously," said Berkeley, who is not only attending nursing school herself but has four more children she's pushing toward college. "She's going to set the example."
 MCLA President Mary Grant talks about the college and Adams Scholars already enrolled, such as Gina Wagner, left, and Alex Nichipor. |
But winning a scholarship to any state higher education facility is something to be celebrated, and MCLA is establishing a tradition in publicly congratulating the recipients for their academic milestone.
"It's our responsbility to make sure that these achievements in your academic career are honored and praised," said Josh Mendel, director of admissions at the four-year public college.
Graduating seniors from Drury, Hoosac Valley, McCann Technical, Monument Mountain Regional, Mount Greylock Regional, Pittsfield, Taconic and Wahconah high schools and family and friends were crowded into Room 218 in Murdock Hall in the biggest turnout yet.
MCLA had made up small certificates of recognition to present but so many students showed up this year that it was decided to hand them out as they arrived at the reception. Instead, Mendel called out names by school so the students could stand and be applauded.
"We do this because we think it's importnat to recognize this accomplishment, to recongize your scholarship and the hard work and the tradeoffs you make," said Grant. "And to get the message to you that you have in your hand the opportunity to purse hhigher education in a way that's a bit more affordable."
 Shane Lamarre of McCann Technical School and his mother, Nancy Lamarre, wait for his name to be called. |
"I would love for each and every one of you to come to MCLA ... I know what this school did for me," said Grant, who graduated from what was then North Adams State College. If not, she urged them to check out the "incredibly rich public institutions across the commonwealth."
Adams Scholars currently at MCLA were introduced and one, Gina Wagner, a 2007 graduate of Wahconah, spoke about her experiences at MCLA.
Higher education is more important than ever, state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, told the gathering. His own grandfather had limited education but easily found work as a boiler tender; his mother's generation hadn't worried about finishing high school because it wasn't needed to get a good job.
His own generation was ecouraged to get that high school diploma, said the 1976 MCLA graduate, but that's not enough now.
 Stephanie Pitoniak of Hoosac Valley High School stands above the crowd. |
Shane Lamarre didn't need the scholarship to help him decide to pursue a career in engineering. But the McCann Technical School senior will put it to good use at Berkshire Community College first before deciding on his next step, possibly a state institution, possibly Purdue.
"I'm so proud of him," said his mother, Nancy Lamarre,
