image description — The Husky 4 of Herberg Middle School was the champion at Saturday's Berkshire Robotics Challenge. Pictured are coach Wendy Stebbins, left, Ezekiel Mason, Ashton Brennan, Aastha Rai, Qing Song and coach Ellen Lantz.

Herberg's Husky 4 Wins Berkshire Robotics Challenge

07:58PM / Saturday, March 19, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Husky 4 of Herberg Middle School defeated the Raging Riots of St. Mary's School in Lee to be crowned champion of "Cargo Connect," the 21st Berkshire Robotics Challenge, conducted Saturday at the Berkshire Innovation Center.

The tally in the finals was 250 points for Herberg and 200 for St. Mary's.

The competition involved six teams of students ages 8 to 14 from throughout the county who used programmable robots built from Lego kits to complete a variety of missions involving hypothetical scenarios related to safe, efficient transportation. The event was sponsored by Berkshire Applied Technology Council, with major underwriting support from the Feigenbaum Foundation and General Dynamics Mission Systems.

Ellen Lantz and Wendy Stebbins were coaches for Herberg, which featured team members Aastha Rai, Ashton Brennan, Ezekiel Mason and Qing Song.

Cara Maiorano, Christine Barry and Conner Consolati were coaches for St. Mary's School, which featured team members Brendan Bayles, Joey Abderhalden, Sam Korte, Jacob Cooper, Natalie Hall, Sophie Alsmaan, Isabella Hall, Keaghan Kline, Bernadette Starczewski and Matt Abderhalden.

Other award winners were:

Comeback Kids: Lee Robowildcats of Lee Elementary School.
Best Research Project: Lee Robowildcats.
Best Programming: BART-Botics of Berkshire Arts and Technology Public Charter School.
Most Innovative Design: Herberg Middle School.
Team Spirit Award: Conte Mechanics of Conte Community School.
Sportsmanship Award: St. Agnes Angels of St. Agnes' School in Dalton.

Judges, inspectors and referees for the event were Wil Bourdon, John Bracci, and Jim Chalfonte of General Dynamics Mission Systems and Kevin Mooney of GE. Chalfonte and his son, Liam, were scorekeepers.

The planning committee included Denise Johns, Tim Butterworth and Kate Light of the Berkshire Innovation Center, Bourdon and Chalfonte of General Dynamics, Doug Crane of the New Dalton Group, Bernie Klem of Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America, Kevin Mooney of GE and John Wood of SABIC.

Tags: robotics,

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Pittsfield Council Preview: DEI Office Rename, Playground Grants, and City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
11:46AM / Monday, August 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday, the City Council will see a request to rename the DEI office, $80,000 in grants for Williams Elementary School's playground renovation, and a proposal for the city audit.

The agenda includes a request to amend Chapter 2 of the City Code, renaming the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion the "Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity."

"The proposed changes reflect the City's approach to advancing equitable access to municipal programs and services," it reads.

"The updated name more accurately represents the Office's commitment to removing systemic barriers, promoting opportunity, and ensuring fair treatment of all employees and residents."

During fiscal year 2027 budget hearings, $5,800 was reduced from the DEI Office: $4,800 from the DEI ambassador line and $1,000 from travel and dues.

Ward 7 Councilor Kathy Moody asked Mayor Peter Marchetti to consider merging the department with Human Resources, and other councilors supported exploring restructuring the department, though not during budget season.

The proposed ordinance also establishes the Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission to replace the current Human Rights Commission.

The Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity, through the chief equity officer and supporting staff, would develop and implement the policies, programs, and initiatives of the city and Pittsfield Public Schools related to equity, access, and opportunity.