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Eight Graduate From McCann Practical Nursing Program

Susan Watson is retiring after six years leading the program. See more photos from Monday's ceremony here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Monday night was bittersweet for the McCann Technical School community with the celebration of the latest class of nursing graduates also saying goodbye to the woman who has led the program for six years.

"Throughout the year, all of you have reaffirmed why I love teaching, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your enthusiasm and have many memorable moments," Watson said. "On the first day of class, I called you all novices. Today, I can proudly call you nurses, and I will truly miss this class."

She went on to say she is proud of her students for letting McCann "lead the dance."

"I said to all of you that if you want to be a nurse then let McCann lead the dance and you stuck with it. You followed our lead and you stayed in step," she said. "Tonight, all eight of you have completed your education journey and you have a wonderful future in health care."

Nursing Advisory Council member Billie Allard, who had been chief nursing officer at the former North Adams Regional Hospital, also congratulated the students and wished Watson a farewell.

"It has been inspiring to watch her dedication, her caring, her compassion and her ability to rise above whatever challenge was in front of her," Allard said. "Sue has been a star here and everywhere she has ever been and I really want you to revel in the success of your career and think about all of the lives that you have touched."

Superintendent James Brosnan said Watson was critical in keeping the program running smoothly when the North Adams Regional Hospital closed four years ago.

He also congratulated the students for all their hard work.

"The individuals to my right have worked harder than any other eight individuals not only in Berkshire County but in the entire Commonwealth in a very condensed and very rigorous program to become in a few minutes practical nurses," he said.

Before handing out awards clinical instructor Diane O'Neil asked the graduates to remember the "personal touches" they have developed and to remember where they came from.

She asked them to continue to follow their dreams.

"Becoming a nurse is now a reality for all of you. You have been held to the highest standards in your field and you have made it," she said. "Continue with your goals and ambitions and please follow your dreams … I can’t be prouder of where you are and I can now call you my colleges … but now that you have made it, the words 'never' and 'I can't' have officially been removed from your vocabulary."

Nicole Bak of Cheshire, Cara Moulton of North Adams, Tim Badu of Pittsfield, and Brianna Hayden of Savoy each received the Faye Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship.

The Fosser Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Fosser who graduated from the LPN program, went on to earn her registered nursing degree, and worked as a nurse locally. Fosser died in 1984, at the age of 29.

Badu and Hayden also received the Highest Academic Award and Bak received the Perfect Attendance Award.

Rebecca Adams, of Williamstown, also received the Perfect Attendance Award as well as the Clinical Excellence Award.

Tammie DeWeever of Springfield, Brookelynne Ruopp of Pittsfield, Khadeejah Hassan of Pittsfield also graduated.

North Adams Unveils Hometown Heroes Banners

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
04:30PM / Friday, May 22, 2026

Carol Ethier-Kipp holds up the first aid kit her father used as an Army medic in World War II. See more photos here. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams honored its own on Friday afternoon, unveiling 50 downtown street banners representing local veterans who served — and continue to serve — the community and the country.

 

More than 300 residents packed the front lawn of City Hall as the community took a moment to reflect on its "Hometown Heroes" during the morning unveiling ceremony.

 

"In a city like North Adams, service is personal. The men and women we honor today are not strangers to us. They are our neighbors, our classmates, our parents, our grandparents," Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the crowd. "... These banners are far more than names and pictures hanging along our streets. They are visible reminders of the values that define North Adams: courage, sacrifice, humility, duty, resilience, and the love of country. They remind every person who passes by that this community remembers our veterans."

 

The banner program launched exactly a year ago. Veterans Services Agent Kurtis Durocher opened applications in October and spent the next six months working with families to bring the project to Main Street and over the Hadley Overpass. 

 

"We gather to recognize the brave men and women from our community who have served or who are currently serving in the United States armed forces," Durocher said. "These banners are more than images. They bear a tribute to service, sacrifice, courage, and pride, and they remind us that the freedoms we enjoy every day have been protected by our neighbors, family members, friends, and Hometown Heroes."

 

Each banner features a portrait of a veteran alongside their military branch and dates of service.

 

Durocher noted that the program was something residents clearly wanted, pointing to how fast applications flooded his desk. He praised the volunteers who stepped up to get the banners made and displayed — including city firefighters and Mitchell Meranti of Wire & Alarm Department, who were installing them as late as Thursday night.