McCann Postgraduates Ready for Workforce
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It was the second time that Jennifer Boucher of Adams had earned a diploma from McCann Technical School's postgraduate program.
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And she held it tight as she danced her way out of the gym to the strains of "Uptown Funk" on Monday, ready for a life-changing career.
Boucher had first earned a cosmetology diploma from McCann and has been working as a hair stylist for years. On Monday night, she was pinned and presented a diploma in dental assisting.
"I am 45 years old and decided in this past year that I needed to make a whole life change and so I went for it," she said afterward. "It's a very tough course and I could not be more happier or more proud of myself."
Surrounded by her children and grandson, Boucher was ready for a full-time job she'd already lined up at Dr. Peter Sheffer's office in Pittsfield
"I'm ready to go," she said.
Boucher was one of 28 students to complete the postgraduate courses in dental assisting, cosmetology, medical assisting and surgical technology at McCann.
"This is a night that we celebrate," said Superintendent James Brosnan, as graduates and family members used the evening's program to fan themselves in hot gym. "[The graduates] celebrate the end of their course of study and their entry back into the work force. They also celebrate the time that you have worked alongside them throughout this year. It's family members, it's friends, it's relatives, it's husbands and wives, and boyfriends and girls friends -- that entire organization helped make tonight very possible. ...
"We are very proud of what you've accomplished and look forward to the care that you're going to provide to all of us in Northern Berkshire County."
The brief ceremony included Hannah Levesque, a cosmetology graduate, singing the national anthem accompanied by Robert Davis on the keyboard.
The graduates were pinned by the faculty members of their respective programs: Kristi Mastroianni for cosmetology, Terry LeClair for medical assisting, Jocelyne Hescock for surgical technology and Michelle Racette for dental assisting. The diplomas and certificates were presented by School Committee Chairman Thomas Mahar, Brosnan and Principal Justin Kratz.
Assistant Principal Keith A. Daigneault presented the award and scholarship winners. Erin Therrien, a dental assisting graduate, was the recipient of the Sharon Ferguson Memorial Scholarship and Jade Coty, a surgical technology graduate, of the Jamie Sacchetti Drennan Memorial Scholarship.
SkillsUSA State Competition Awards were: Silver Medals: Mackenzie Bona, for cosmetology more than 500 hours, and Kara Giorgi, dental assisting; Gold Medals: Carey Contini, dental assisting, and Alexandrea Luscier, job interview.
Marissa Maher of Pittsfield completed the surgical technology course, which she described as a tough but excellent course with supportive instructors. She doesn't have a job lined up but did have an interview and is hoping for a call.
"I've always been interested in the OR and I've worked in health care for a few years," she said. "It's the direction I wanted to go in and actually ended liking it a lot more than I thought I was going to, so it worked out."
It was hard but worth it, she said, and particularly gratifying that her three children could watch her graduate.
Mahar said the other graduates had made a choice to improve themselves and make themselves valuable members of society.
"A successful society has a workforce that's capable of operating industries to give them a competitive advantage," he said. "Training and education are key to providing a skilled workforce, and workers who are productive require less management and increase their earning potential."
A skilled labor force is key to determining business and economic growth, Mahar said.
"You're leaving here tonight with the training you need in your chosen field," he said. "Prepare to make an impact on society, be proud of what you accomplished, be proud of the alma mater that gave you the skills to follow your dreams."
The Graduates
Cosmetology
- Mackenzie Bona, Clarksburg
- Elizabeth Clifford, Adams
- Nicholas Darrow, Pittsfield
- McKayla DiGennaro, North Adams
- Sharon Santana Jimenez, North Adams
- Hannah Levesque, North Adams
- Alexandrea Luscier, Pittsfield
Dental Assisting
- Madison Backer, Pittsfield
- Jennifer Boucher, Adams
- Danielle Boylston, Lenox
- Haley Brown, Adams
- Carey Contini, Pittsfield
- Margaret Cowen, Sheffield
- Maria Denault, Clarksburg
- Kara Giorgi, Clarksburg
- Emily Greb, Pittsfield,
- Erin Therrien, Adams
- Breana Zieba, Adams
Medical Assisting
- Kellie Hescock, Pittsfield
- Kristen Lee, Florida,
- Schuyler Moody , Pittsfield
- Sarah Rattigan, Adams
- Trisha Taylor, Dalton
Surgical Technology
- Jade Coty, Lee
- Kimberly Funk, Sheffield
- Marissa Maher, Pittsfield
- Erin Trask, Pittsfield
- Dorothy Wickenheisser, Pittsfield
Tags: graduation 2017, McCann,
