Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Theater on May 31 will present the return of the Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant, a colorful celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community with a face-off to become the Berkshires' reigning queen. 

According to a press release:  A talented lineup of kings, queens, and everyone in-betweens will take the stage to showcase drag artistry and self-expression in a fierce competition for the crown and a one-year stint as the leader of the Berkshire County LGBTQIA+ community. 

Created and presented by Bella Santarella and hosted by Shawn Hollenbach, the night's festivities will include surprise guest queens, musical and dance numbers, fierce lip syncing, and more! Last year's Reigning Queen, Poppy DaBubbly, will be on hand to pass the scepter. 

Reserve tickets at www.adamstheater.org/present. 

Hoosac Valley Presents Academic Certificate, Talks Absenteeism

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Dean of Students JJ Choquette, left, high school Principal Colleen Byrd, middle school Principal Lisa Lesser and elementary Principal Chris Wenz explained their efforts to combat absenteeism. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Senior Anna Thurston is this year's recipient of the Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence at Hoosac Valley High School.

 

The award was presented at Monday's School Committee meeting by Superintendent Aaron Dean, who said she has been involved "in anything that brought student voice to the table."

 

"She conducts herself in a professional way, but brings humor to the table. She's just really a joy to be around and a joy to work with," he said. "Congratulations on this great accomplishment and congratulations to your parents."

 

Thurston is an honor roll student and a recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. She's been a member of the Portrait of a Graduate committee, the Leo Club, the school's Student and Adult Advisory Board and the National Honor Society. She was on last year's first-place team in the General Dynamics STEM Competition and is a medal winner for figure skating in the Bay State Games. 

 

Principal Colleen Byrd read letters of endorsement from Thurston's teachers, who described her upbeat attitude, intelligence and confidence, her curiosity, and the positive, can-do energy she brings to all her efforts. One teacher spoke of how she joined the engineering class during her free period to support the only girl in that class. 

 

"Of course, she accepted instantly, soon became one of the strongest students in the class and paved the way for other young women to flourish," the teacher wrote. 

 

In other business, the committee heard about efforts to stop chronic absenteeism from Byrd, Principals Lisa Lesser and Chris Wenz, and Dean of Students for the middle and high school JJ Choquette.