GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — At the Berkshire Hills Regional School District School Committee Meeting on Thursday Oct. 19, 2023, Superintendent Peter Dillon presented three seniors with the following awards.

 

Student bios were provided by the shcool.

 

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents - Certificate of Academic Achievement Award

 

Ari (Elisheva) Caine

Elisheva "Ari" Caine is the daughter of Hanan and Rebecca Caine of Richmond. Ari is an outstanding student and an active member of Monument's school community. Ari has been awarded the AP Scholar Award including the AP WE Service Recognition and the AP National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award. In addition, Ari is the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Award and is a member and elected secretary of the National Honor Society. Ari is the stage manager for school theater performances and is a member of the Empire State Youth Wind Orchestra. Ari is passionate about studying animal science and has dedicated time as a veterinary assistant and veterinary technician since 9th grade.

 

National School Development Council - Academic Growth in Student Leadership and Learning

 

Noelia Salinetti

Noelia Salinetti is a community leader, a difference maker, and a dedicated and talented student who exhibits all of the values you would hope for in a young person. Noelia has been remarkably consistent in all subject areas. As one of the most highly motivated student leaders in our school, Noelia has been recognized with induction into our National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award at last year's junior awards ceremony. Noelia has consistently

pursued education beyond the traditional and found ways to stretch herself intellectually. This intense desire to learn is paralleled by a deeply committed life here as a student leader. Noelia has been a member of our Student Adult Advisory Board each year she has been here and currently serves as the leader of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee. Most importantly, Noelia has been a driving force in our school community with regards to improving diversity, equity and inclusion as well as in the area of wellness and student voice. Noelia was one of a small group of students with the support of a faculty member to plan a two- day school wide assembly, focused on Anti-Racism. This included preparing faculty ahead of time, collaborating with community organizations and administration to put on the event. Noelia was the co-moderator for both days of the forum and the impact and impression it left on everyone was deeply resonant. Noelia is a confident public speaker as well as being a strong problem solver and organizer. She is confident in her ability to sit at a table with both peers as well as adults and can stand by her opinion and advocate for the student body in ways that focus on improving the quality of the experience and are congruent with our school’s mission. Noelia’s contributions to the performing arts are notable as well, where she has been involved with our Shakespeare Fall Festival productions and our spring musical productions often in a leading role. This past summer she participated in a summer performing arts program at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan as well. She has had a massive impact on our school community.

 

National School Development Council - Academic Growth in Student Leadership and Learning

 

Ella Saupe

Ella is a deeply committed student leader here. Ella has excelled academically. She has taken a very rigorous program and gone well beyond her academic program taking multiple college courses through dual enrollment programs. She even earned a certificate through Holyoke Community College for a course she took in Spanish for Medical Professionals last summer, which aligns well with her goal of pursuing a career in the medical sciences. Her scholarship, outstanding character and accomplishments as a student-leader earned her the distinct honor of being the recipient of the Dartmouth College Book Award at our junior awards ceremony. Ella’s dedication to her studies is obviously very important to her, yet it represents only one facet in her life, which is filled with significant accomplishments and honors as well. Ella is a captain and starter involleyball She has been a leader in student government, serving as class president and a student facilitator for our Student Adult Advisory Board, as part of our Wellness subcommittee. This year, she is also the president of our National Honor Society as well. When it came time to select a small group of students to participate in the writing and editing of our school code of conduct, Ella was one of only a few selected from her class by our assistant principal. She has also served as a tutor for our English Language Learners in mathematics and currently is a teaching assistant in our AP Chemistry course. Outside of Monument, Ella has always had a job throughout high school and somehow has found the time to create and market her own brand of granola (Ella’s Granola). In order to fit all of this in, it requires a great deal of organization and discipline which is where Ella separates herself as a leader. She is first and foremost a person of integrity who can be counted on, to take initiative and consistently follow through. Ella is in one sense very modest and unassuming, yet underneath beats the heart of a focused and extremely determined person, deeply dedicated to doing her very best.