Monument Mountain Announces Valedictorian, Salutatorian for 2021

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Karina Mahida has earned the distinction of valedictorian for the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2021 and Abigail Zeik has earned the distinction of salutatorian.

These students will receive scholastic medallions and certificates awarded by the Berkshire Hills Regional School District at commencement exercises on Saturday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m. at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

The following profiles of the class speakers were provided by the high school.

Mahida, daughter of Jignesh and Rita Mahida of Great Barrington, is a member of the National Honor Society, the recipient of the Chang Chavkin Scholarship, the University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Certificate and the President's Educational Award. Mahida is highly motivated and holds herself to the highest standards but more importantly demonstrates the utmost humility and kindness through all of her commitments. She has been a leader in Monument Mountain's restorative justice work and has worked tirelessly on building a student advocacy group, continuing the work virtually throughout the pandemic. She has been a leader in student government, service groups and on athletic teams.

Mahida has been accepted and enrolled at Harvard University, where she plans to pursue biology, philosophy and the pre-med program.

Zeik, daughter of Todd and Helen Zeik of Great Barrington, is a National Honor Society member and the recipient of the Rensselaer Institute of Technology Math & Science Award, the Austen Riggs/Erikson Institute-Evelyn Stefansson Nef Scholarship, and the President's Educational Award. She is an accomplished musician, playing first violin and participating in the All-Western Massachusetts District Orchestra every year and winning the National Orchestra Award. Her contributions to the community include her service as class president, in which she demonstrated grace, composure and creative problem solving in navigating the challenges of being a senior through a pandemic.

Zeik has been accepted and enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where she plans to major in biological sciences or biochemistry..

Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 

 

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

 

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 

 

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 

 

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

 

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 

 

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.