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The graduates received congratulations and well wishes from faculty, administrators and several others at the pinning ceremony
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Superintendent James Brosnan said the new graduates share a comradery together through the shared experience in the nursing program.
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Practical Nursing Coordinator Christa Berthiaume congratulated the graduates and thanked their families for helping to foster their success.
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Lorraine Mancuso, a retired education specialist at Berkshire Health Systems, gave an address to the graduates before they received their pins.
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McCann Celebrates 20 Nursing Grads in Pinning Ceremony

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School honored the achievements of 20 new Practical Nursing graduates at its annual pinning ceremony on Monday. 

 

The group received congratulations and well wishes from faculty, administrators and several other guests.

 

Superintendent James Brosnan said the new graduates share a comradery together through the shared experience in the nursing program. 

 

"I doubt anybody knew each other before they got here, but now they're best friends for the rest of their lives," he said. "... Notwithstanding everything that the faculty did for you, you did this yourselves. You really made it together." 

 

Lorraine Mancuso, a retired education specialist at Berkshire Health Systems, gave an address to the graduates before they received their pins. She told them to rely on others and work as a team wherever they end up. 

 

"What makes the experience work for both the patient, as well as yourself? That is the healthcare team. The team is what makes that work being performed successful and rewarding for everyone," she said. "Sharing experiences, motivating others and leaning on one another to help the team to be successful." 

 

Practical Nursing Coordinator Christa Berthiaume congratulated the graduates and thanked their families for helping to foster their success. 

 

"Some are natural leaders, some are quiet and observant, some are opinionated and outgoing," she said. "... I can honestly say that this group has come together in a truly unique and inspirational way."  

 

She reiterated that nursing is a difficult and ever-changing profession. 

 

"Nursing is not just knowing about the facts and the medications that somebody has, it is about caring for the whole person: body, mind and soul," she said. "These are memories that you will hold onto forever." 

 

This year's graduates are:

 

Adams:

Heidi L Comalli

Amber L. Foster

Bryan E. Lillie

 

Clarksburg:

Donna M. Messenger

 

Cummington:

Mikayla N. Howes

 

Dalton:

Lisa M. Gillooly

Kristen N. Soules

 

Lanesborough:

Caroline A. Knox

 

Lee:

Heather M. van Lingen

 

North Adams:

Cassandra M. Follett-Montgomery

Mary M. Karimi

Megan M. Lillibridge

Nicole M. Rivard

Kelley L. Wilson-Wood

Kacie Jo Wood

 

Pittsfield:

Jillian E. Cimini

Michelle M. Hugar

Andrea R. Jones

Bonnie L. Lyon

Stacia N. Puzio

Jamie G. Smith

 

This year's scholarship recipients are: 

 

Rachel Canto Botto Rhodes, RN Memorial Scholarship:

 

Cassandra Follett-Montgomery 

 

Amber Foster 

 

Kristen Soules 

 

Kelley Wilson-Wood 

 

Kacie Wood 

 

Fay Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship:

 

Kristen Soules 

 

Kelley Wilson-Wood


More photos can be found here.

 


Tags: nurses,   pinning,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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