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Certificates Handed to 34 McCann Postsecondary Graduates

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Melissa Martell, left, and Jane Fleming found new careers and new friendship in the McCann Medical Assisting Program.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The two graduates had come to McCann Technical School last fall looking for new career paths and became best friends along the way.

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.

Nichole LaFrance earned the Sharon Ferguson Memorial Scholarship. More photos here.
Robert Ortiz had started out working for Berkshire Transmissions in North Adams but crossed the parking lot to join the staff at Big Shirl's Kitchen. That led him to the culinary program at McCann - and a promotion to cook at Big Shirl's.

"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
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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