image description — Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis presents the certificate to Aiden Garcia at the Nov. 16 Central Berkshire Regional School Committee meeting.

Wahconah High Senior Garcia Award Certificate of Academic Excellence

05:03PM / Saturday, December 16, 2023Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School senior Aiden Garcia is the recipient of this year's Massachusetts Association School Superintendent's Certificate of Academic Excellence.

The award was presented by Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis at the Nov. 16, Central Berkshire Regional School Committee meeting.

Garcia is the son of Susan and Andrew Garcia of Dalton and has distinguished himself by demonstrating high academic standings, comprehensive community service, and standout leadership endeavors throughout his educational career.

"What I am most impressed with is Aidan's commitment to service within his community and the way he approaches all individuals with empathy, respect and compassion," said Blake-Davis. "In this way, I am quite certain he will make the world a better place."

Garcia has participated in extracurricular activities such as quiz team and being president of the Green Umbrella Club, class secretary as a freshman and sophomore, secretary of School Council, current National Honor Society president, captain of the Nordic ski team, captain of varsity track and field, and an Eagle Scout. He received the Class of 2024 Citizenship Award and Academic Excellence Awards in Algebra 2 Honors, Modern World History Honors, Concert Band and English 10 Honors.

In addition, Blake-Davis said, he has stood out as an exemplary citizen due to his kindness and compassion for all individuals in the school community. He upholds the core values of his high school to include resilience, integrity, self-direction, and empathy. He lives the motto "We all rise together." He gathers food and donations from local businesses to support those in need and volunteers at the National Honor Society's Empty Bowls dinner. He likes to work with young children and baby-sits and has visited Craneville Elementary to participate in environmental lessons. He has volunteered at the May Day Races as well as at Senior Awards Night, graduation and senior assembly.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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