McCann School Says Farewell to Longtime Member
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School celebrated some of its outstanding students on Thursday night, including its oldest: 86-year-old James R. Gazzaniga Sr.
The longtime School Committee member was presented with a special diploma to recognize his 36 years of service, as well as a proclamation from the state House of Representatives, a plaque from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and, perhaps more pointedly, a SkillsUSA medal and T-shirt from the students.
"Being on this committee ... it lived up to every expectation I ever had," Gazzaniga said. "To be associated with this school, these students, this School Committee, has been absolutely mindblowing."
That included the honors piled up the school this past year, including racking up 55 medals at the SkillsUSA district competition, and 31 at states. Two standout students are Samantha Dorwin, who was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, and Spenser Tanner, who was selected to represent the United States in welding at SkillsUSA in Quebec.
Dorwin, also national Region I vice president for SkillsUSA and No. 2 in her class, gave the keynote address at the state convention. The machine technology student is also a member of the softball team, won a gold in figure skating at the Bay State Games and spoken at a number of public events. She plans to attend Bentley University and study financial management.
"It is an absolutely fantastic honor," said Principal Justin Kratz, saying the school's research had so far found only three students in the history of the Berkshires having been named a Presidential Scholar. "It's a very prestigious honor."
In trying to grasp the magnitude of this award, the school did some calculations: of the 69,298 seniors in Massachusetts this year, only four were named scholars.
"That's less than half of 10,000th of a percent," he said. "That is absolutely mind boggling."
Tanner also excelled, winning one of two Awards of Excellence presented to U.S. competitors in Quebec and coming in fourth overall in the international competition. He spent two days working nine to 10 hours on welding, including against Canadian competitors in their early 20s.
The school's Business Professionals of America chapter also reviewed the highlights of its year.
Gazzaniga is the longest serving elected official for the town of Williamstown and only once, in 2010, did he face a challenger.
He thanked his wife of nearly 60 years, Joan, saying "without her encouragement and assistance, we would not be here tonight."
Williamstown Town Manager Jason Hoch joked he attended and graduated Williams College, went away to work elsewhere and returned last year, all in less time than Gazzaniga had served on the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School Committee.
"It takes a special commitment to run for elected office ... I've never known anybody who's done 13 terms," he said, in presenting Gazzaniga with a certificate of appreciation. "I do know the town of Williamstown has benefited tremendously from that time."
Mayor Richard Alcombright, who served on the committee with Gazzaniga, thanked him in a letter for his mentorship when he joined in 1993, calling him the "leader and conscience of the committee."
"You immediately took me under your wing for those first couple of years, led me through budgets, contracts ... your keen and ongoing vision was to position McCann to provide the unique and complete educational experience for the students we serve," read Superintendent James Brosnan. "You have always been an invaluable member and a cherished friend to me since our paths crossed in 1993."
John Hockridge presented Gazzaniga with the plaque from MASC for "your extraordinary service"; state Rep. Gailanne Carriddi read the proclamation from the House signed by the speaker.
Fellow committee member Daniel Maloney, in presenting the diploma for meeting "the requirements for retirement," said Gazzaniga had always done what was best for the school.
"Jim always followed the principles he had learned in his family business: doing what was right even when it was difficult," he said.
Gazzaniga worked in the business his father founded, the former Gazzaniga's Paint and Wallpaper, and was a guidance counselor at Mount Greylock Regional High School until his retirement in 1990. His wife was a longtime special education teacher.
He had worked with two of the school's three superintendents, and was instrumental in selecting the current superintendent, James Brosnan, in 1995.
"We had three superintendents and each one was the superintendent when we needed the quality they so abundantly possessed," he said.
He recalled the school's past, and how it had flourished and expanded as technology progressed. He joked with former Superintendent Howard Brookner about difficult budgets. And he gave the nod to his successor, David Westall, a McCann graduate and son of the school's first superintendent, James R. Westall.
And there was some laughter as his wife gave the "cut it" signal to his recollections.
"After tonight, I'll be asked what I miss most — everything. It's a package deal. I thank you for the opportunity to share this amazing learning experience," he said, adding to the students in attendance, "you are the proof positive of all the good things that have happened."
Tags: McCann, school committee, SkillsUSA,
