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Graduates of BCC's two nursing programs were invited to a drive-through pinning ceremony to get their certificates and degrees.
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BCC Pinning Ceremony Recognizes Nursing Graduates

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BCC, like many other schools, has been forced to be creative in recognizing its graduates during the pandemic. The graduates have often put their own spin on the unusual ceremonies. See more photos here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Twenty-seven graduates of the practical nurse certificate program at Berkshire Community College and 57 associate degree in nursing graduates were recognized on Tuesday night for a combination drive-through and remote ceremony in order to observe social distancing protocols because to COVID-19.  
 
Ann Tierney, a nursing adviser, retired nurse practitioner and professor of nursing, addressed the practical nursing students while Lynn Geldert, with a background including critical care nursing and providing clinical instruction to nursing students, addressed the associate degree program graduates in the online portion of their ceremony.
 
The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition, dating back before the turn of the 20th century. Traditionally, nursing students have conducted an honors or pinning ceremony to mark the passage of student nurse role to practice role. It can be an emotional event that is shared with family, friends, faculty and others important to the students' education.
 
On a rainy Tuesday evening, graduates in the program were invited to drive around the college's circular driveway to receive their pins, certificates and diplomas.  
 
Graduates of the 10-month practical nursing program are eligible to sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam.
 
Pins and certificates were presented to the following graduates listed by town: 
 
Cheshire: Jacqueline A. King, Shelby L. Provencher
 
Dalton: Carmen Y. Quinde
 
Great Barrington: Morgan B. Formel
 
Lee: Michelle A. Schleimer
 
Lenox: Marybelle L. Burns
 
Pittsfield: Ciara M. Berkeley, Jamie L. Brown, Danielle A. Collette, Holya Ebiyatakyih, Cecilia A. Ebuley, Sarah M. Engle, Anne-Marie Ezoua, Amber Hertzberg, Hahna Kim, Ama S. Koblan Epse Ngoran, Ellen Laryea, Teressa N. LeBeau, Jacqueline C. Polynice, Ernestina Sackey, Kniesha M. Tarjick
 
Savoy: Jennifer L. Walker
 
Springfield: Kadian S. Anderson, Elizabeth Twum-Barima
 
Westfield: Selina M. Lopez
 
Windsor: Jonathan R. Bailey
 
Lakeville, Conn.: Valencia O. Phillips
 
Awards were presented to the following students: Clinical Excellence Award: Sara Engle, Academic Excellence Award: Marybelle Burns, Professionalism Award:  Ernestina Sackey, Spirt of Nursing Award: Jacqueline King.
 
 
 
The 51st annual ADN Pinning ceremony, sponsored by BCC's Student Nurse Organization, honored the following students who graduated on May 29, 2020:
 
Adams: Nataliya M. Houghton, Kelsy M. Nixon
 
Ashley Falls: Grace L. James
 
Clarksburg: Stephanie J. Rogers
 
Dalton: Courtney J. Corbett, Angelia M. Elser, Danielle. M Furlong, Elisabeth C. George, Alexi M. Liccardi, Amanda L. Nefreres, Renee M. Saville, Raegan B. Van Rumund, Shaina R. Weber
 
Hinsdale: Patricia A. O'Brien
 
Housatonic: Blythe A. Hinkley-Grady
 
Lanesborough: Michelle M. Gingras
 
Lee: Tyler V. Buratto
 
Leeds: Cheyenne D. Robair
 
Lenox: Suzanne J. Cotton
 
Lenox Dale: Kathryn M. Forbes
 
North Adams: Caitlin S. Gelineau, Nicole L. Maloney
 
Northampton: Ronald V. Cruz
 
Otis: Bryan E. Arnold
 
Pittsfield: Halimat O. Ahmed, Christine A. Ahoussi, Daniluz Aloyo-Hebert, Dorcas S. Archer, Michelle L. Bateman, Maribel Bednarski, Marie J. Blankson-Atte, Kortney M. Boos, Nicole M. Campos-Vasquez, Rosemary C. Carnes, Kayla J. Doyle, Alexandra M. Ely, Spencer E. Ferro, Alison E. Gregory, Amy L. Hunt, Nancy M. Klose, Jesse D. Kordana, Kelsey E. Lane, Brittany S. O'Donnell, Tomeka L. Parslow, Shila J. Vallencourt
 
Plainfield: Samantha M. Davis
 
Springfield: Luke A. Boasiako, Lucy M. Gichuhi
 
Tyringham: April A. Curtin
 
Williamstown: Alexandra W. Levinsky
 
Worthington: Fawn M. Mougin
 
Albany, N.Y.: Israel Rolly T. Muamba
 
Averill Park, N.Y.: Natalie E. Emery
 
Fort Johnson, N.Y.: Morganne T. Ottati
 
Millerton, N.Y.: Millie A. Trees
 
Portland, Maine: Andrew J. LaDouceur
 
Torrington, Conn.: Jack O'Meara
 

Tags: BCC,   graduation 2020,   nursing education,   pinning,   

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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
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