PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 48 graduates of the William Stickney Pittsfield Adult Learning Center walked proudly in their black caps into the Taconic High School auditorium to receive their diplomas. 

 

It was the first time in three years the ceremony had been held in person and the graduates were ushered as  Anthony Gubelman played "Pomp & Circumstance" on the grand piano.

 

Families, friends, faculty, and staff gathered in the Taconic High School auditorium to celebrate the hard work these graduates did to earn their adult diplomas, or pass the General Educational Development Test

or High School Equivalency Test.

 

Julianna Tremblay's family had always told her that high school would be the best years of her life but for her, it was the opposite. 

 

"At school I would keep to myself because in the past I was always used by people that I used to call my friends. They would use me for comfort, talk to me out of pity, or knew I was an easy target to bully. And a fear of that happening all over again, I distanced myself from everyone," Tremblay said. 

 

Despite these circumstances and her learning disability she was a good student with good grades but in 2021, she dropped out of high school uncertain of the future. 

 

With guidance from her family and with the recommendation from the school guidance counselor Tremblay enrolled in Adult Learning Center. 

 

Right from the start, the faculty and staff were supportive and guided her to this moment, she said, as her family, in the audience, shed tears of joy.

 

Director Paul Gage commended all the graduates for their achievement and said goodbye with one last lesson –- to not forget about the four most important questions they should ask themselves. 

 

They were to continue to ask what they want to do, to take chances and not be afraid of failure, to enjoy the journey, and to stay present in the moment.  

 

Gage demonstrated the fact that the future is unclear but that they can find the path right for them by sharing the story of runner David Gilbert who was fired by his boss after requesting some time off to recover from running 3,500 miles for charity. 

 

"Gilbert couldn't anticipate where his life was going at the time he was fired but he rolled with the changes in his life. And he decided from that point forward in his life revolved around running, running races, and raising money for charity," Gage said.

 

"So finally, that being said, take those lessons, I wish you all the best of luck in your quest to make your dreams happen."

 

Superintendent Joseph Curtis noted how graduation means something different to every graduate and that every graduate turned their obstacles into opportunities. 

 

"You did not let barriers stop your progress as a person. You saw those barriers as opportunities that lead you to a different path, a road less taken in your overall life journey," Curtis said. 

 

Mayor Linda Tyer spoke on this year's large class size and how all of them had a support system whether it be friends, family, or a teacher that helped them get to this moment. 

 

"While you did the hard work, you also did not walk this path alone. I see from where I stand, all of the people, your family, your friends, your teachers, they have been a part of your transformation and your achievements" she said. 

 

"And they've been part of your journey all along the way. When the road ahead looked uncertain and the challenge steadily increased their encouraging words and their belief in you, and your potential, gave you the courage to keep going and the belief that you could do it." 

 

Graduate Tynisha Young also spoke of how supportive the educators were when she started continuing her education after leaving school to work and raise her children.  

 

"Yes, we left high school for a reason but we never gave up and tonight we are walking testimonies of that," Young said. 

 

2022 Graduates

 

Shawn Y. Agudo 

Lilly R. Alibozek*

Julia Antunez Garcia 

Lindsay A. Avery 

Trent A. Beals*

Tasha S. Bleau 

Dawn M. Bonilla 

Kacie T. Bourquard 

Francesca A. Bruno 

Nicole P. Cohen 

Jaydin N. Cooper* 

Emma S. Dargi

Mason D. Douglas*

Brianna M. Elling* 

Asia A. Filliault 

Daniel J. Flynn 

IndiaRain I. Hankey 

Evan Harding

Connor A. Harford* 

Brendan S. Jamieson 

David C. Jansen*

James E. Kingsbury

Hannah M Lester 

Laura Juliana Lopez-Manasalva

Bethanie J Malloy 

Deseray M. Malloy*

Mackenna O. Malloy* 

Chloe-Cathleen H. McEneany 

Joshua J. McFalls

Jack S. Olender* 

Olivia N. Pedretti 

Christina I. Perry 

Oscar G. Ramos 

Rebecca R. Ramos

Mirical N. Robinson 

Skylar Dayne St. John* 

Joshua A. Sargent* 

Samuel H.O. Schultheis 

Francis Someah-Kwaw

Sarah C. Squires 

Sharye K. Tibbs-Jackson

Julianna A. Tremblay* 

Tynisha S. Young 

 

*Adult Diploma Program 

 

Award Recipients

 

Volunteer Angels: Cherie Ericson, John Foster 

 

Linda Hermanski Positive Mindset Award: Ashley L. Martinez 

 

Roselie Jean-Louis ACL All-Star Award: Jack S. Olender 

 

William Stickney Scholarship: Lindsay Avery, Tasha Bleau, Dawn Golden, Alanah McLear, Oscar Ramos, James R. Tandoh 

 

Distinguished Alumna Award: Ginder Cruz-Rosario