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Superintendent James Brosnan presented Sunn and his family with the award at the school committee meeting on Thursday.

McCann Senior Christopher Sunn Wins Superintendents Award

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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Sunn, a senior in the school's Computer Aided Design program, is a straight-A student with a 4.4 GPA.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School student Christopher Sunn has received a certificate of academic excellence from the Mass Association of School Superintendents. 

Sunn, a senior in the school's Computer Aided Design program, is a straight-A student with a 4.4 GPA. When he graduates, Sunn plans to attend UMass Amherst, where he will study engineering. 

Superintendent James Brosnan presented Sunn and his family with the award at the school committee meeting on Thursday. 

"It's our most enjoyable and most exciting evening at our December meeting, where we are able to recognize McCann student that has been selected to receive the Massachusetts superintendent's Association Award," he said. 

Principal Justin Kratz noted several of Sunn's accomplishments at the school, including his time on the cross-country team, his participation in SkillsUSA and his gold-medal award in architectural drafting. He said Sunn and his class were just Freshman when the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

"That's a lot for kids to go through. A lot of changes, a lot of adapting. A lot of flexibility, a lot of patience," he said. "And yet, still was able to make it through on top of his class. And he did a remarkable job," he said.

Kratz also read comments submitted by several teachers about Sunn. The comments lauded him for his work ethic and participation in the classroom. 

"Through all, Chris has brought an attitude of academic excellence, as well as palpable joy to our classroom, and I'm grateful. I can foresee that the future looks bright and promising for Chris, and I'm honored to have him as a student," one teacher wrote.

"Chris exemplifies the qualities and values that the community has come to expect in the McCain student," another teacher commented. "And for this and many other reasons, we think he is the perfect choice for the superintendent's award." 

Committee Chair Gary Rivers congratulated Sunn for his hard work and accomplishments at McCann

"Only one student in each school in the Commonwealth receives such an award," he said. "You should be commended on your work ethic, your sense of purpose, and your intentional fortitude to continue working as hard as you work when, seemingly, it comes easy to you," he said. "It's a wish for all of our students, is that they live up to the talents that they were given. And you certainly have lived up to all of your talents." 

In other business, Brosnan acknowledged a letter from the Clarksburg Select Board, thanking the students from the school for their work replacing the roof on the Peter Cook Memorial Field Pavilion. 

"It was an excellent project for our students, who are only too glad to help," he said. 

  • Rivers thanked Committee Member Diane Parsons for her work on the committee. Parsons, a North Adams representative on the committee resigned from her position because she has moved to Adams. 

 


Tags: McCann,   recognition event,   

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Companion Corner: Ellie at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There is a spicy orange tabby looking for her new home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. 

Ellie is a 5-year-old domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for about a month. Kennel assistant Claire Morin introduced us to her.

"The family's living situation was changing, and so they surrendered her on that day," she said.

Like a typical orange, Ellie can have a "spicy" side to her and may hiss or growl. But she is also in a shelter setting which can cause more stress.

"Ellie is a very sassy girl. She's been a little bit challenging to handle here because she hates all cats, so ideally she would want to be in a single-cat home," Morin said. "When we get her out, she enjoys being out, but she starts to smell the other cats that are here, and she becomes very antagonistic. The cats are antagonistic toward her as well, but overall she's a very sweet girl." 

While Ellie is not a fan of other cats, and since she is in a room with other cats, it can be hard to show off how great she can be without the stress.

Ellie is big on food and likes her wet treats. She also likes being brushed with a toothbrush.

"Ellie loves wet food, which she is devouring right now because it's lunchtime. She loves catnip. She loves being brushed with this giant toothbrush-like brush, and she loves treats," she said.

She can be in a home with older children who can understand her boundaries.

"Ellie would do beautifully if she was the only cat in the house. It would take her a few minutes to warm up with whoever adopts her."

She would also do best as the only one getting attention on her terms and to be respectful of her boundaries. But once out of the shelter setting she may find herself more comfortable and more loving with one-on-one attention. 

"We think she would do fantastic in a home where she was the only one getting the attention. She'd be much more comfortable on her own terms."

If you think Ellie could be your companion, be sure to fill out the form on the shelter's website and email or drop it off to No Paws Left Behind on Hodges Cross Road.

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