Taconic High Announces 2012 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Principal John Vosburgh has announced that Taconic High School's 42nd commencement exercises will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 1, p.m. at the school.

Alexis Jayne Savery has been named valedictorian with a grade of 102.5 and Christopher James Coughlin is the salutatorian with a grade of 101.2.

Savery is the daughter of Thomas and Jayne Savery of East Acres Road. She is a member of the National Honors Society, French Club, Book Club, National Merit Commended Scholar, and received the Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence.

She was the Academic Award recipient for Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Pre-Calculus, Novice and Advanced French, Honors Physics and Physical Education. She also received the Williams Book Award and was named an AP Scholar with Honors for her outstanding scores on her AP exams. Savery scored Advanced on all three MCAS exams, with a perfect score on her math MCAS test, and received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

She is the captain of the varsity tennis team, is a Book Club member, volunteers at St. Mark's School, helping students with their homework, and works part time.

In the fall, Savery will attend Williams College and major in mathematics.


Coughlin is the son of Peter and Sheila Coughlin of Michael Drive. He is the vice president of the National Honor Society, secretary of Taconic's Science and Engineering Academy, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and received the Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence.

He was the Academic Award recipient for Honors Spanish, Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Chemistry. He also received the Dartmouth College Book Award and was named as an AP Scholar with Distinction for outstanding scores on five or more AP exams. Scoring Advanced on all three MCAS exams, with a perfect score on the math exam, Coughlin received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

He is a doubles player for the tennis team and a standing member of the U.S. Tennis Association. In addition, Coughlin is a member of the Student Advisory Council to the School Committee, Class Council, Quiz Team, Spanish Club and Book Club. He is also a participant of the Youth Leadership Program and participated in the Regional Science Fair and Mentor-Protege  Program. He volunteers for various programs and as a peer tutor and is a senior leader at the Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club.

In the fall, Coughlin will attend Georgetown University as a pre-medical student.

Tags: graduation 2012,   valedictorian,   

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

BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories