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More than 180 students participated in the 18th annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge in Lenox on March 25.
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North Adams Team Wins 18th Annual Robotics Challenge

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North Adams 4-H Students Winning at Technology (SWAT) won the Berkshire Robotics Challenge. Back row: Aidan Roberts, Brian Czarnecki, Thayne Carlo. Middle row: Sean Mullen, J.T. Mullen, Nicholas Lescarbeau, Owen Vareschi. Front row: Coach Nathan Samson.

LENOX, Mass. — North Adams 4-H Students Winning at Technology (SWAT) defeated Herberg High Brain Power (HBP) from Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield, 79-65, in the finals to win the championship of "Animal Allies," the 18th annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge, conducted Saturday, March 25, at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School.

The competition involved 26 Berkshire County teams comprising more than 180 students ages 8 to 14 using programmable robots built from LEGO kits to complete a variety of missions involving hypothetical scenarios that focused on improving interactions between people and animals. The event was sponsored by Berkshire Community College and the Berkshire Innovation Center, with major underwriting support from SABIC, The Feigenbaum Foundation and General Dynamics Mission Systems.

Nathan Samson was the coach for North Adams 4-H SWAT (sponsored by Berkshire 4-H, CW Construction and North Adams Commons), which featured team members Thayne Carlo, Brian Czarnecki, Nick Lescarbeau, J.T. Mullen, Sean Mullen, Aidan Roberts and Owen Vareschi.

Wendy Stebbins and Ellen Lantz were coaches for Herberg HBP (sponsored by General Dynamics Mission Systems and Herberg Middle School), which featured team members Hannah Wheeler, Nathan Cracolici, Jack Wildgoose, Asa Chard, Jack Archey, Liam Chalfonte, Tyler Vosburgh and Alex Allessio.

Other award winners were:

* Semifinalist:
St. Agnes Robotechs (St. Agnes Academy)

* Semifinalist: Kontrolled Kaos II (Adams-Cheshire Regional School District)

* Sportsmanship & Team Spirit: Williams Wizard Bees (Williams Elementary School)



* Best Mechanical Design: North Adams 4-H SWAT (Berkshire County 4-H)

* Most Innovative Design: Nexus Builders (Berkshire Christian School)

* Best Programming: Forever LEGO Lovers (Berkshire Christian Homeschool)

* Comeback Kids: Forever LEGO Lovers (Berkshire Christian Homeschool)

* Rookie Team of the Year: Team Boys and Girls Club (Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires)

* Best Research Project: Kontrolled Kaos II (Adams-Cheshire Regional School District)

The planning committee included Wil Bourdon and James Chalfonte of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Dorothy DeBella of Webster Electric, attorney Lee Flournoy, Jon Friedman of Craneville Elementary, Denise Johns of Berkshire Community College, Bernie Klem of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and Kevin Mooney of GE. Judges, inspectors and referees for the event were Jon Friedman, David Owen, Greg Owen, John Bracci, Wil Bourdon, Kevin Mooney and Liam Mooney. Dick Lindsay of the Berkshire Eagle was master of ceremonies.


Tags: 4-H,   legos,   robotics,   

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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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