MCLA Hands Out Book Award Scholarships

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has announced the recipients of its Book Award scholarships, which recently were granted to students who will begin their senior years this fall at one of Berkshire County's public high schools.

One student from each of the high schools received this award, which honors outstanding high school juniors who have made a positive difference in the community.

"The MCLA Book Award is presented to an outstanding high school junior who exemplifies academic achievement, displays leadership qualities, and has a strong commitment to the Berkshire County community," said Joshua Mendel, director of recruitment and outreach at MCLA's Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Students who received this award are: Ava Guidette-Bocchino of Monument Mountain Regional High School, Hayley Caufield of BArT Charter School, Nora Griffin of Hoosac Vallery High School, Brianna Kasala of Wahconah Regional High School, Conor Fitzgerald of Mount Greylock Regional High School, Hunter Cannon of Lee High School, Nicole St. Germain of McCann Technical High School, Donovan Sawyer of Mount Everett Regional High School, Bryanna McKearney of Taconic High School, Nathaly Villalobos of Pittsfield High School, Cassandra Crosier of Drury High School and Danna Toledo of Lenox Memorial High School.

Guidance counselors at each high school were responsible for collectively identifying one student they felt was a strong role model and who would benefit from this award. Students had an overall GPA of a B or greater, displayed strong leadership qualities, and positively contributed to the school and the local community.

The awards were given to each student by a member of the MCLA Admissions staff at their high school's "Awards Night" or the equivalent. The award included a book, "World Transformed: The Art of Jessica Park," and an award certificate for a $500 MCLA scholarship, applicable for the fall 2018 term if the student is accepted to and decides to enroll at MCLA.

North Adams School Committee Applauds Award Winner, Hears Budget

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
02:42PM / Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Superintendent Timothy Callahan presents his first Superintendent's Award to Brayden Canales. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee on Tuesday voted to send a recommending fiscal 2027 budget to a public hearing and congratulated the newest recipient of the Superintendent's Award. 

 

Drury High School senior Brayden Canales is graduating at the top of his class with 33 college credits and a grade-point average of 4.3.

 

"In addition to his impressive list of college courses, he has rounded out his transcript with several Advanced Placement and project based learning courses," said Superintendent Timothy Callahan, adding, "I had the honor to be Brayden's principal when he began a Drury."

 

Canales is a member of both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies and received the Principal's Award for having the top five average in his class all four years and the Rensselaer (N.Y.) Institute of Technology award for science and math as a junior outside of the classroom.

 

He's also been a member of the soccer, hockey and baseball teams and this year was presented the Berkshire County Ice Hockey Officials Association's Sportsmanship Award for his leadership. Canales has also been a peer mediator, student ambassador, among other activities.  

 

He plans to pursue a major in architecture but has not yet selected a college. 

 

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence is awarded to students who have achieved not only academically but in leadership and community service.