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Drury High Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian for 2023

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Drury High School has named Evan-Quin May-Sims Goodermote and Morgan McLean Sarkis as the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the class of 2023. 
 
The Drury High graduation takes place Thursday at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium. 
 
Goodermote, child of Brett and Tania Goodermote of North Adams, has taken a challenging course load including Advanced Placement courses and two dual enrollment courses in conjunction with Massachusetts College of Liberal
Arts. They were named to both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies and received the
Rensselaer Institute of Technology Book Award for Innovation and Creativity. In addition, they were also a recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
 
Goodermote was a media studies intern in the Drury library, has a passion for reading and writing and performs slam poetry in their spare time. 
 
After graduation, they plan to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and pursue a career in the culinary arts field, with an emphasis on pastry arts. They are currently taking steps toward this goal by working in Williams College's dining services department.
 
Sarkis, daughter of James and Katie Sarkis of Stamford, Vt.,  is graduating with an overall grade average of 99.97 and has earned numerous accolades, including being inducted into the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies, receiving the Saint Michael's Book Award during her junior year, receiving the Principal's Award for three consecutive years, and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Award. 
 
She has taken a full honors and Advanced Placement course load and has also completed three dual enrollment courses through MCLA. She has been an extremely dedicated and involved student during her four years at Drury, being a vital member of the varsity basketball team, Student Council and Student Ambassadors. She was also a peer mediator and is trained as a World of Difference leader.
 
Sarkis will be attending Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., in the fall, majoring in nursing and hopes to pursue a career in anesthesiology.

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

 

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