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Monument Mountain Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian for 2024

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Ariel "Ari" Caine and Madeleine Rocheleau-Holmes have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2024.
 
Both will speak at graduation ceremonies being held on Sunday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Caine is the child of Hanan and Rebecca Caine of Richmond. They are a member of the National Honor Society, Edith's Ensemble Chamber Music Group, Creative Writing Club, and are an integral member of Monument's Fall Festival of Shakespeare and the spring musical theater program, managing the lighting and sound design for all performances as well as stage managing and acting.
 
Caine is the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent's Award Certificate of Academic Excellence, the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, the AP Scholar Award, and the National Merit Commended Student Award.
 
They will be attending the University of Rochester (N.Y.) in the fall to study biology and theater.
 
Rocheleau-Holmes is the daughter of Anne Wild-Rocheleau and Christopher Holmes of West Stockbridge. She is a member and co-president of the National Honor Society and the recipient of the Williams College Book Award, the Rochester Institute of Technology's Humanities and Social Sciences Award, and also earned the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement and the Seal of BiLiteracy with Distinction. 
 
A highly accomplished musician, she is a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and previously the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. Last summer, she was selected to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute For Young Artists. Here at Monument, she was chosen to play with the Massachusetts All State ensemble and currently plays in the jazz ensemble as well as the Edith Chamber Music ensemble. In addition, she has taken part in the spring musicals both as an actor and as a member of the pit orchestra as well as the Shakespeare Fall Festival and the Advanced Drama program.
 
She also was a captain and successful runner for the cross country program earning All Berkshire honors and is a member of Best Buddies as well. 
 
Rocheleau-Holmes will be heading off to Oberlin (Ohio) College, where she will be majoring in English and musical studies.
 

Tags: graduation 2024,   Monument Mountain,   val & sal,   

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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