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Hoosac Valley Names Valedictorian & Salutatorian for Class of 2024

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CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School has named Talia Rehill and David Scholz as the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the class of 2024. 
 
They will speak at graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. in the high school gym. 
 
Rehill, daughter of Alisha Hampton of Cheshire, has been involved in numerous student activities during her four years at the school. This includes president of the Student Council, the Adams-Cheshire Leo Club, the class of 2024, and the National Honor Society. She also was a student representative on the Athletic Leadership Council and the Rainbow Alliance, a peer leader for World of Difference and pride mentor of the Boomerang Project. She also was editor of the yearbook and founder of the Hoosac Valley chapter of the 84th Movement, a non-smoking initiative. Also active in sports, she was captain of the varsity soccer and track and field teams. 
 
She participated in the 2023 production of "Annie," raised money for childhood cancer as a princess with the AYJ Fund, and built a social networking platform for individuals suffering from homelessness. Her awards include the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award, National Honor Society's Student of the Year for Massachusetts, the College Board Big Future's award for rural and small-town recognition, and the American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State Award. 
 
Rehill is the second Hoosac graduate to be admitted to Harvard University, where she plans to study government on the pre-law track. 
 
Scholz, the son of Erik and Laura Scholz of Adams, has been vice president of the class of 2024 and a member of the Student Council, a student representative on the Athletic Leadership Council, and a member of the National Honor Society. He also was a member of the concert and marching band.
 
Active in sports, he was first team All-Western Mass for soccer in his senior year and Nordic skiing as a junior. He was captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the school's ski and track and field teams. He also was a volunteer coach with the Adams-Cheshire-Savoy Youth Soccer League and a member of the Downhill Ski Club since Grade 8. 
 
Scholz plans to attend the University of New Hampshire and major in electrical engineering. 

Tags: graduation 2024,   HVHS,   val & sal,   

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Fire District Seeks Legislative Fix for Mandatory Retirement Rule

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — As the Fire District continues to navigate the state's mandatory retirement age for firefighters, one thing is clear: legislative action is needed.
 
District voters will see an article on its annual meeting warrant authorizing the district to petition the state general court to enact special legislation for firefighters 65 and older to continue service.
 
Whether this authorization will apply to specific individuals or extend across the entire department remains unclear, pending confirmation of liability coverage for firefighters aged 65 and older.
 
In April, the Fire District questioned the impact of the retirement mandate after four Dalton firefighters, including the interim chief, had to retire. 
 
With Chief John Pansecchi set to retire, First Assistant Engineer David Lennon intends to run for the chief position, while Edward Capeless plans to run for Lennon's current role.
 
However, this mandate would also affect Capeless, so the district would need to seek a home-rule bill to waive the mandated retirement. 
 
The board agreed that seeking a waiver is necessary; however, whether it will apply department-wide or be issued on an individual basis remains uncertain.
 
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