Certificates Handed to 34 McCann Postsecondary Graduates
 Melissa Martell, left, and Jane Fleming found new careers and new friendship in the McCann Medical Assisting Program. |
The coursework was difficult but gratifying, said Melissa Martell and Jane Fleming, minutes before they were each handed their certificates in medical assisting on Monday night.
"I was laid off, so I made a career change. I thought there would be more opportunities in this field," said Martell, of North Adams, adding that half the class already had jobs lined up. "It was worth all the sweat and tears we put into it."
Fleming, of Dalton, agreed. "It was a lot of hard work. I'm excited to start a new chapter."
The bonus was they'd become friends, she said, during the 10-month intensive course. "That alone was worth doing it."
Fleming and Martell were among latest crop of professionals graduating from the postsecondary programs on Monday night; 32 completed courses in cosmetology, dental assisting, medical assisting and surgical technology.
Two more completed the postgraduate courses, joining the line of postsecondary graduates in black gowns and caps as they prepared to enter the gymnasium.
Josh Quimby completed the automotive course; he'd spent four years learning welding but found he liked to work on cars.
 Robert Ortiz, left, and Joshua Quimby completed postgraduate program; below, Tawanna Hatfield read a poem to her teacher. |
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 Nichole LaFrance earned the Sharon Ferguson Memorial Scholarship. More photos here. |
"Our teachers are great. They went the extra mile to help us achieve our goal," said Ortiz, who added he'd received a lot of support from the owners of Big Shirl's. "It's like a family there. [All the support] was really appreciated."
The graduates will join the cadre of professionals sustaining the people of Berkshire County, Superintendent James J. Brosnan told the graduates and their families and friends at the ceremony. "You've all worked very hard and for you and your families, this is a night of celebration."
Adversity can be part of the learning process, said School Commmittee Chairman Daniel J. Maloney Jr., but he reminded them of the recent Major League Baseball game in which the umpire made a bad call, ending the young pitcher's hopes for his first no-hitter.
"It would have been easy for the pitcher to criticize the umpire but he didn't. The pitcher understand that we're all human and mistakes can be made ... [the umpire] apologized because it was the right thing to do," he said. "Sometimes you only have an instant to say or do the right thing; you'll never be criticized for doing the right thing."
Three graduates from the Dental Assisting Program were presented scholarships: Jodi Blessing of Dalton received the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women Scholarship; Patricia Montgomery of Cheshire the Adams Mountain Club Scholarship and Nichole LaFrance, of Adams, the Sharon Ferguson Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the Dalton resident and program graduate.
In a tearful moment, Tawanna Hatfield summed up her experiences at McCann and her gratitude to surgical technology coordinator Thomas Lescarbeau.
Hatfield had come from Ohio to enter the program and wrote a poem, "The God In Me," to express her feelings and how she had grown during the last year.
"I traveled and made friends far and wide but you made me feel as welcome as an apple pie," said Hatfield, her voice beginning to break. "Without you, this would not have been a reality for me ... you more than anyone had faith in me."
The graduates are as follows:
Postgraduate programs
Culinary Arts: Robert Ortiz, Cheshire
Automotive: Josh Quimby, Hancock
Postsecondary:
Cosmetology
Brittany Bradbury, Savoy
Kirby Shepley, Adams
Dental Assisting
Kayla Baumann, Pittsfield
Kellie Berkeley, North Adams
Jodi Blessing, Dalton
Amber Haddad, Adams
Nichole LaFrance, Adams
Brittany Lennon, Pittsfield
Patricia Montgomery, Cheshire
Laurie Morin, North Adams
Andrea Sadlow, North Adams
Nancy Tran, Pittsfield
Stephanie Vogel, North Adams
Medical Assisting
Justine Barbeau, North Adams
Jennifer Filiault, Adams
Jane Fleming, Dalton
Brenda Harpin, North Adams
Jenna Lescarbeau, North Adams
Melissa Martell, North Adams
Emily Martinez, North Adams
Sarah McLain, North Adams
Lisa Nilsson, North Adams
Alycia Rochelo, Adams
Kathy Skillings-Murach, Adams
Carole Stuart, Lanesborough
Annika Worth, Adams
Donna Zsofka, Hinsdale
Surgical Technology
Shaun Cimini, Pittsfield
Michaela Farr, Cheshire
Tawanna Hatfield, North Adams
Amber Pitcher, Pittsfield
