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Drury High Graduates 92 Superheroes in the Class of 2016

Olivia Carlson takes the scissors to her valedictorian sash. See  more photos here. A list of awards and scholarships is here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It was an evening of surprises and superheroes at Drury High School on Thursday night as 92 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.

It included a heartfelt thank you to everyone from family to faculty from valedictorian Olivia Carlson, a rousing speech from Spider Principal and ended with a burst of cheers and high fives as the class belted out the alma mater and exited stage right.

"Thank you to the extended community of North Adams, although I know a few of us are running for the hills as soon as we get a hold of our diplomas, we must always remember that we are a sum of our experiences and Drury High School, our hometown, and all the loving and kind people who live here are forever a permanent part of us, let's be proud of where we came from," Carlson said.

She didn't have any "cliche metaphor" as advice for her peers, no roller coasters of life or chapters of books. Rather, she mulled on the decimal points that landed her as valedictorian, and what "smart" really means: regurgitating information? Or also kindness, creativity, empathy, athleticism, self-awareness, sacrifice, confidence?

"No one is every kind of smart, no one ever will be, but there are often times I wish I could be more of one kind or less of another," she said. "I believe it is only fair to recognize the diverse and beautiful array of intelligence sitting beside me. Know that you, the class of 2016 are a class of geeks, a class of artists, of friends, of athletes, of musicians. A class of future doctors, mothers, fathers, entrepreneurs, teachers, singers, hard-workers and do-gooders."

So Carlson decided to share her valedictory sash, pulling out a pair of scissors and snipping off pieces that she handed out to several classmates. To make sure everyone got a piece, she pulled a cord to rain down hundreds of golden squares of satin and balloons upon the class.

"I have no doubt that one day, one of you will be the best nurse I have ever had, that one day I will have one of your CDs, if those will even still be a thing, playing in my car, that one day my children will sit in your classroom and that one day you will all do amazing things."

Muscian and salutatorian Michael Mazzu said his friends had urged him to write a song for graduation address, but he, too, decided to dispense with cliches. Instead he told an anecdote about different perceptions of his black guitar, which he pulled out and played to accompany his speech.

"I am a firm believer that the success one can attribute to their lives is directly a result of their own happiness, and everybody's happiness is derived from achieving their own personal aspirations," he said. "While I want to play guitar and see music that I created bring enjoyment, relief, and oneness within others, your dream in life may be to travel the world and see every country in Europe."

But don't ask the person next you what their perception of your own happiness is, he cautioned.

"I tell you class, to sit back and think, what in life drives you, what in life makes you want to get up in the morning, what in life puts a smile on your face," Mazzu said. "So try new things until you find your passion, and pursue it like no other, take it and run like the devil, run like you stole it, and live a life you're proud to look back on!"

Although there were 92 graduates, there were 93 diplomas, with James Montepare being the first name called. This was the superintendent's final graduation after more than in 40 years working in the public school system.

"Every year, I come to graduation and I leave and wonder how can it get better than that and every year I come back to the next one and it's just better and better and better," he said. "I am filled with pride to be part of the Drury High School community. Thank you all for what you've done here tonight."

A second surprise was for Kateleynn Lacosse, whose brother, who is in the service, appeared as she received her diploma.

Class President Kody Crosier made the introductions and led the Pledge of Allegiance; the band played "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" and the chorus sang "Never Alone." Mayor Richard Alcombright presented the diplomas, with Montepare and Principal Amy Meehan, congratulating the class on their accomplishments and wishing them the best success.

The packed gymnasium was treated to a short video, "Situation Graduation: Code Red," starring Meehan and students that poked some fun at the event preparations.

Meehan said she'd struggled with what to stay, even as she mocked her situation in the video. Then she decided to be her "own superhero."

"A superhero is an average person with some not-so-average abilities or powers," she said. "Some might argue the value in believing in super heroes, because they aren't real. But let's face it, we all probably were believers at some point in time, or even now. ...

"Regardless of their powers and abilities, superheroes personify the very best qualities of humanity."

Those include courage, justice, hope, perseverance and truth, attributes she'd seen in each and every senior.

Meehan said there were three defining traits: Defining your own identity; using your powers for good; and choosing wisely when it comes to sidekicks.

Then the principal donned her Spider-Man glasses and called on her two "Batman" sidekicks, Kodey and Stew, to induct the class in to superherodom by pledging: "To be the hero in my own life/So I may/Turn fears into fierceness/ Turn I Cant's into I Cans/ And turn my adversities into achievements."

"May you go forth, with courage and confidence, poise and passion," said Meehan. "Good luck and thank you to the class of 2016 for being our super human, super heroes."

The graduates are:

Emily Rose Andreatta*
Christopher Samuel Healing Andrews
Mariah Renee Arnold
Nicholas Ryan Bator**
Elizabeth Ann Billetz*
Nicholas David Boulger**
Kimberly Elizabeth Brames
Haley Victoria Brown*
Nicholas Alan Burchard*
Olivia Kathleen Carlson**
Tehya Mirae Zoe Christopher
Travis David Crawford
Dominique Melissa Crews
Brandon Christopher Cropper
Brianna Tress Crosby
Kody Michael Crosier*
Sarah Abigail Czarnecki*
Lakeria Charnee Darkins*
Jake Anthony Daugherty
Alex David Decker
Jocelyn Marie Dupee
Devin Anthony Durant
Elliott Joseph Eastman*
Briston Dean Estes-Williams
Morgan Elizabeth Fortin

High Honors**   Honors*

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.