image description
McCann Technical School senior Stephen Perreault poses with family after being presented the Superintendent's Award on Thursday.

McCann's Stephen Perreault Receives Superintendent's Award

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

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."

Tags: academic award,   McCann,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

FreshGrass Pauses Season, Plans for Next Year

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The annual FreshGrass Festival will be taking a pause on what would have been its 16th year.

Last week, the FreshGrass Foundation posted an update on its website that it will pause their 2026 season to reassess the festival and make next year's "the best one yet."

The annual bluegrass/folk has been held over three days in the fall on the campus of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

According to an email to iBerkshires, the Mass MoCA and FreshGrass made the decision together.

FreshGrass's  Chief Operating Officer Adam Kirr said the festival will still have a presence in North Adams with singular performances at Studio 9, at the Porches Inn.

"FreshGrass remains invested and calls North Adams our home. In fact, we just opened a new facility on the Porches Inn campus called the FreshGrass Annex, which will be used to house artists during our programs hosted by the FreshGrass Institute," he wrote. "FreshGrass will continue to host performances, open mics, workshops, camps, and other events at Studio 9 on the Porches Inn campus as well as work with Mass MoCA and possibly other venues on great performances."

The three-day event has drawn thousands to the North Adams since 2010. A second festival was established in 2021 in Bentonville, Ark., but it concluded its run last year.

The FreshGrass Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit partners "with world-class institutions to bring innovative performing arts experiences to life," according to its website.

The festival is set to return Sept. 24 to 26, 2027, with tickets going on sale this September.

 


The announcement comes a week after Williamstown Theatre Festival announced they will not be staging any events this summer.
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories