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Wahconah Regional High students Ashlyn Roch, Grace Radzick and Ella Reardon were recognized last with certificates from the Green Committee for their logo design work.
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Dalton Green Committee Awards Climate Action Logo Winners

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis, Green Committee member Antonio Pagliarulo, Grace, School Committee Chair Richard Peters, Ashlyn, Ella, art teacher, Bonnie Capogna and Principal Aaron M. Robb.
DALTON, Mass. — Green Committee member Antonio Pagliarulo presented the three Climate Action Plan Logo contest winners with a framed letter of recognition in front of the Central Berkshire Regional School Committee. 
 
The letter was signed by the Green Committee Chair David Wasielewski and Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson. 
 
The logo helps reflect Dalton's past, present, and future environmental climate status. The committee called for logo submissions out to Wahconah Regional High School students and received 24 logo submissions. 
 
"Congratulations and thanks to your class and teachers for providing this lasting legacy of artwork for our project," Pagliarulo said. 
 
The climate action plan consultant, Blue Strike, had its graphic designer narrow the submission down to the three most compatible options that can be turned into a logo. 
 
During a November meeting, the committee voted to select Ashlyn Roch's submission for its Climate Action Plan logo. However, several members also liked elements of the other two runners-up — Grace Radzick and Ella Reardon. 
 
Following the selection, the town's CAP consultant, Blue Strike, had its graphic designer convert Roch's drawing into a usable logo for the town. 
 
During the meeting, Pagliarulo provided committee members with black-and-white versions of the three students’ drawings but said this version doesn't do justice to the colorized versions. 
 
The Wahconah Regional High School's art teacher, Bonnie Capogna, highlighted how this competition was an amazing experience for the students, especially since the town will use the design. 
 
The committee is developing a climate action plan to achieve net-zero by 2050 by seeking strategies to decrease the town's dependence on fossil fuels for homes, businesses, municipal facilities, and vehicles. 
 
The logo development process aims to enhance community engagement by informing residents about the climate action plan, collecting their input for its formulation, and addressing any questions they may have.
 
Blue Strike's graphic designer and committee members previously highlighted how Roch's design had clear and organized elements that would be a good concept for a logo. 
 
They also liked how Roch's logo showcased the Town Hall and incorporated the environmental element with the leaf growing from the bottom of the building.
 
Radzick's submission was selected for second place because "it is even more simplified and would make a solid logo."
 
During the November meeting, committee member Laurie Martinell also highlighted how she liked that the logo incorporated the text "Green Dalton Committee" in it. 
 
Reardon's submission was given third place because committee members liked the "exceptional artwork" but felt it was too complex to be converted into a logo. 
 
Blue Strike’s designer highlighted the keyhole shape, which is uncommon, unexpected, and clever for a CAP project. 
 
Although, Radzick’s and Reardon’s submissions were not selected as the climate action logo the committee would like to showcase the work somewhere else. 
 
"Your submission was outstanding among many submissions, as it uniquely represents our efforts to create a sustainable future for this community. We are proud to incorporate the efforts of one of our younger citizens into a document that represents our concern for future generations," Pagliarulo said reading Radzick’s and Reardon’s letter of recognition.
 
"Although, your submission was not chosen for this project. We would like to hold it for possible future projects."

Tags: CBRSD,   green committee,   logos,   recognition event,   

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Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, Name

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond. 

This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February. 

"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said. 

"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just the West Side. We serve people from other parts of Berkshire County. So the hope is just to make it more inclusive." 

The Christian Center was a stop on Berkshire Community College and NAACP Berkshires' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The nonprofit will hold three input sessions at 193 Robbins Ave. to inform future programs and branding, and ensure that West Side voices are heard. 

The sessions will be held on: 

  • Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
  • Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. 

The center dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission started by the Methodist Church to serve newly arrived immigrants and help them assimilate. The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974. 

Over the decades, it has drifted away from a faith-based organization to a space for anyone who needs a meal, a warm jacket, a place to bring their child, or a meeting place. A space for everyone. 

This is what center officials wanted reflected in the name. 

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