MCLA Honors Adams Scholars
 Students with the top scores on the MCAS tests were awarded eight semesters of free tuition at state colleges and universities. |
Twenty-nine students from across the county braved slick roads on Monday to be honored at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
"It's nice to have a ceremony for us. This is definitely an honor," winner Joe Babeu, who eventually plans on going to law school, said.
Students who scored proficient or advanced on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests and who are in the top 25 percent of their graduating classes were awarded eight semesters of tuition-free education at all state schools. The tuition waiver does not cover the multiple college fees, but it still helps families pay for higher education — particularly with a lagging economy.
"I could not be more proud of her. It is a big deal," said Denise Meranti, whose daughter Kimberly will be attending MCLA or Bridgewater State.
Jacob Foley will not be taking advantage of the scholarship because he plans to go to a New York school but said it will help his admission application.
The college handed out certificates individually to the attending students in Murdock Hall. MCLA has been honoring local scholarship winners for the last four years.
"Tonight is about celebrating you," said Assistant Director of Admissions Katherine Heekin. "This is not a room of slackers."
The tuition waiver is honored at MCLA and President Mary Grant did not hide that she wanted that students to go here. But even if the students choose not to study at her alma mater, she stressed the importance of higher education at any school.
"I'm convinced that this generation will change the world," she said. "There are exceptional institutions across the state."
Admission staff members were available to help with all aspects of applying to college, including financial aid, and not just for those MCLA bound. Rep.-elect Gail Cariddi stayed after the event to provide advice.
 MCLA has honored local Adams Scholars for the last four years. |
Current MCLA student Gina Wagner, a former Adams Scholarship winner, also spoke about what the high schoolers can expect in college. Recapping her uncertainty about a major and nervousness about making friends and who she would have as a roommate, Wagner said her time was the best time in her life. Every college is unique and picking a college needs to be based on personal interests, she said.
"All of my questions were answered by someone. They helped me figure out my life," Wagner said. "It's not the place or the number of people."
| Name |
High School | Name | High School | |
| Joseph Babeau | Drury | Zachary Larabee | Hoosac Valley | |
| Jacqueline Boino | Pittsfield | Jessica Longtin | McCann Technical | |
| Antonio Cardeno | Hoosac Valley | Nathaniel Massari | McCann Technical | |
| Solana Carlotta | Monument Mountain | Sara Massery | Taconic | |
| Elizabeth Christian | Monument Mountain | Amanda Meczywor | Hoosac Valley | |
| Naomi Crandall | Monument Mountain | Kimberly Meranti | Drury | |
| Marissa Ericson | Mount Greylock | John Murray | Hoosac Valley | |
| Jacob Foley | McCann Technical | Jon Oleson | McCann Technical | |
| Sara Giroux | McCann Technical | Nathan Pitoniak | Hoosac Valley | |
| Rachel Graney | Monument Mountain | Simone Rodriguez | McCann Technical | |
| Zachary Green | Taconic | Troy Segala | McCann Technical | |
| Casey Gull | Lee Middle/High | John Serridge | Pittsfield | |
| Lauren Haskins | Mount Greylock | Kimberly Thomas | Monument Mountain | |
| Kimberly Houston | Mount Greylock | Sarah Wilson | McCann Technical | |
| Gabrielle King | Drury |
