Adams Theater to Host Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant

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ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Theater will present the Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant on June 2.
 
The event is set to kick off Pride Month in the Berkshires and will feature a lineup of kings, queens, and everyone in-betweens who will take the stage to showcase drag artistry and self-expression, according to a press release.
 
Created and presented by Bella Santarella and hosted by Shawn Hollenbach, the night's festivities will include a competition, with the winner being crowned the Majesty of the Berkshires and receiving a one-year reign as the leader of the Berkshire County LGBTQIA+ community. Berkshire native and NYC-based drag queen Nancy Nogood will join as a judge, along with locals from other queer organizations in the area. 
 
Berkshire Cider Project and Big Elm Brewery will be catering the evening's beverages, and Dottie's Coffee Lounge of Pittsfield will be providing delicious food, including DRAGon bowls, a Dom Sub sandwich, and a Bear Bowl. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure their preferred seats and dress to impress. 
 
Tickets for Majesty of the Berkshires are now on sale and range from $12.99 - $25.99, including fees. They can be purchased online at www.adamstheater.org.
 
In-Person Box Office Hours: The theater is holding new in-person box office hours for community members who would like to buy tickets! Box office hours will take place Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. at 27 Park Street.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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