Superintendent James Brosnan makes a socially distanced presentation of the award at the school on Thursday to Stephen Perrault.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School senior Stephen Perreault was recognized Thursday during a small socially distanced award ceremony and given the Superintendent's Award.
"It is nice to have a tribute in this room for one of our No. 1 students," Superintendent James Brosnan said. "We have a great deal of pride that we are able to present this award to you."
Each year, superintendents across the state award one student with a Certificate of Academic Excellence, sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
Principal Justin Kratz said Perreault, an advanced manufacturing technology student, has a 4.37 grade-point average and is No. 1 in his class. He has enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement and honors courses and has taken advanced courses at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
"We are so proud of your accomplishments," Kratz said. "You have been a model student here at McCann."
Kratz read some testimonials from Perreault's teachers:
"He is the portrait of the model student. He is kind, polite and diligent ... he has a knack for critical thinking that is well above his peers."
"Last year, Stephen was a rock star in a period of remote learning that was not easy for students by any stretch."
"He has always been someone who steps up to challenges ... based on his time at McCann, he will be a strong member of any college campus, enterprise, or whatever field he chooses to enter. I am sure we are not done hearing about his accomplishments."
"He will excel regardless of where he goes. He is one of the most respectful, hardworking students I have ever had. He is definitely deserving of this award."
AMT instructor Tom Matuszak, who attended the ceremony, said he was always impressed by Perreault and that he learned how to program a robot remotely.
"I am sure his future is bright," he said. "Wherever he goes they are lucky to have him."
Kratz acknowledged Perreault's family and said they surely played their part in his success.
"You have to be incredibly proud of him ... a big part of why he is standing here is because of the support he has at home and the upbringing you provided," he said. "It was a privilege to have him here for four years and we are incredibly proud of him."
Perreault said he hopes to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Harvard.
He left some advice for other McCann students who may want to follow in his footsteps: don't be afraid to ask for help.
"If you are ever stuck on something all you have to do is say something," he said. "You just have to talk to a teacher they are all willing to help."
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
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