Pittsfield: UNCO Chapter Awards Scholarships

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Chapter of UNICO National held its scholarship awards ceremony on July 23 at the Italian American Club. 
 
Since 1987 UNCO has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to students from Berkshire County high schools. This year The UNICO Scholarship Committee, chaired by Julia Salatino, awarded $19,000 in scholarships to local high school graduates who are continuing their post secondary education.
 
The recipients:
 
Alexandra Bills of Wahconah RHS received the The Gloria Powers Scholarship. The daughter of Mark and Teresa Bills, she will be attending UMass Amherst, Isenberg School of Management.
 
Dominic Carnevale of Mt. Greylock RHS received the Richard Rilla Scholarship. The son of Alaina Moresi and Justin Carnevale, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Katarena Castagna of Pittsfield HS received the Francis Fazio Scholarship. The daughter of Krystal and Tony Castagna he will be attending Roger Williams University.
 
Jake Duquette of Pittsfield HS received the Honorable Rudolph Sacco Scholarship. The son of Christopher and Alysia Duquette, he will be attending Fairfield University.
 
Kailynne Errichetto of Taconic HS receive the Edward DiAngelo Scholarship. The daughter of Stephen and Ashley Errichetto, she will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Olivia Gamberoni of Wahconah RHS received the Francis Sanginetti Scholarship. The daughter of Patrice and Anthony Gamberoni, will be attending the Eisenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
 
John Pignatelli of Lenox HS received the Honorable Paul E. Perachi Scholarship. The son of Shannon Miller and Scott Pignatelli, he will be attending UMass Boston.
 
Christian Salzarulo of Taconic High School received the Joseph Bonaquisti Scholarship. The son of James and Gina Salzarullo, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Nico Sondrini of Pittsfield HS received the Louis Shogry Scholarship. The son of Peter and Tracy Sondrini, will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Ava Telladira of Pittsfield HS received the Ralph DiBlasis Scholarship. The daughter of James and Diana Telladira, will be attending UMass Boston.
 
Kaeleigh Tornicelli of Taconic HS received the James DiSimoni Scholarship. The daughter of Kimbery Tornicelli will be attending Siena College.
 
Nevaeh Williams of Taconic HS received the Mario DiMartino Scholarship.
 
Her guardian is Lori Cook and she will be attending Fitchburg State University.
 
Cameron Williamson of Pittsfield HS received the Robert Quattrochi Scholarship. The son of Wesley and Jena Williamson, he will be attending Berkshire Community College.
 
Baseball/Softball Hall of Fame Scholarships
 
Daniella Barry of Wahconah RHS. The daughter of Gregory and Lynn Barry, she will be attending Penn State.
 
Ashton Bock of Pittsfield HS . The son of Phil and Nadia Bock, he will be attending Siena College,
 
Nicholas Brindle of Pittsfield HS. The son of Paul and Laurie Brindle, he will be attending St. Joseph’s College.
 
Caleb Petruzella of Taconic HS. The son of Denise Petruzella, he will be attending Hudson Valley Community College.
 
Vocational/Technical School Scholarships
 
Damaris Escalon-Brizuela of Taconic HS received the Sheriff Thomas Bowler Scholarship. The son of Douglas Escalon and Maria Bruzcela, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Anthony Fiorini of Taconic HS received the John Pignatelli Scholarship. The he son of Matt Fiorini, he will be attending McCann Technical School.
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Former Miss Hall's Teacher Arraigned on Rape Charges

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Warning: this article discusses sexual assault. 
 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former teacher pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three counts of felony counts rape related to his tenure at Miss Hall's School.
 
Matthew Rutledge, 63, was indicted last month by a Berkshire grand jury following accusations dating back to the 1990s of sexually assaulting students at the girls' school. 
 
"Today, Matthew Rutledge was arraigned for raping me. He began grooming me when I was 15 years old, a student at Miss Hall's School, and his abuse of me continued for years after I left that campus," former student Hilary Simon said to a large crowd outside of Berkshire Superior Court.

"After more than two decades, this case is finally in the hands of the criminal justice system."
 
Simon and Melissa Fares, former students, publicly accused Rutledge of abuse and called out the school for failing to protect them. 
 
They provided testimony at his indictment and, on Wednesday, were in the courtroom to see their alleged abuser arraigned. 
 
Rutledge was working at the day and boarding school until the allegations surfaced nearly three years ago. Pittsfield Police investigated the claims but initially concluded no charges could be brought forward because the students were 16, the age of consent in Massachusetts. 
 
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