PreviousNext

Taconic Class of 2021 Challenged to Make World a Better Place

Valedictorian Benjamin Vengalil challenges his classmates to make the world a better place. See more photos here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 195 Taconic High School seniors graduated from the school's football field on Sunday surrounded by a large crowd of friends and family.

The audience — who filled up the field with lawn chairs from home — was not shy when it came to cheering for their loved ones' achievements.

The class of 2021 is the first class to have commencement outside on the school's brand-new campus.  Principal Matthew Bishop outlined the number of other firsts this senior class has experienced.

"You are the first class at the Taconic to graduate having navigated the world of remote in hybrid learning, terms that really didn't exist for us before this year," he said. "You are the first to have multiple first days of school, and withstand being inundated with videos and emails from the principal, and you're the first to graduate here outside on the track."

Bishop expressed his apologies for how the class's last year and a half has unfolded but said the students were able to grow beyond their comfort zone because of being presented with challenges and adversaries in the face of COVID-19.

Valedictorian Benjamin Vengalil promised his classmates that he will move forward in life with the intention of making the world a better place.

"We're all born and we will all die, and in between these two points is a funny thing we call life," he said. "I apologize for the cliché, I promise I have a point. As I stand in front of you today, I'm going to make each and every one of you a promise, as I make my way to that final point, every breath that I take, every step that I manage, and every word that crosses my lips will be carried out with the intention of making this world a better place."

Vengalil challenged each and every one of his classmates to do the same.

"As I look out at you all, I know that some of you may make more money than me, some of you may live longer lives, and some of you may have more stories to tell," he said. "But one thing I'm sure of is that if I can, in any attempt to do so, make this world a better place, I'm as successful as anyone who has ever been able to say the same thing. And I hope that as you look up at me, you're assured of that same fact.

Before wrapping us his speech, Vengalil solicited a round of applause for parents, guidance counselors, teachers, family, and friends who have helped him reach this milestone.

Salutatorian Ellianna Christopher said her time at Taconic went fast — just as she was told it would — and that is a universal truth that all of the graduates have to accept.

"If you take anything away from the pandemic, in the last 15 months, there should be a new appreciation of time. Time goes so fast and you don't always have control of everything around you. So you should be sure to make the best of your time and every moment in whatever way that brings you peace and happiness," She said to her peers.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.