Drury Selected as U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee

11:15AM / Monday, January 13, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jacinta Felix, a senior at Drury High School, has been selected as a Massachusetts nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced.

Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston praised Felix's selection, which places her among the top students in the Commonwealth. The selection process was highly competitive, with submissions evaluated by the DESE review team in October.

"We are thrilled to have Jacinta represent Massachusetts as one of our Presidential Scholar nominees," said Drury High School Principal Stephanie Kopala. "Her hard work and accomplishments reflect the excellence we strive to foster in our schools."

Felix's nomination will advance to the U.S. Department of Education's national review team, which will invite her to submit an application for further consideration for the award.

"Jacinta's outstanding academic and personal achievements demonstrate the excellence present in our students at Drury High School," said Barbara Malkas, Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools. "We thank Principal Kopala and the school team for their support as Jacinta pursues this honor."

Felix will be honored during the Drury Student Recognition event on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 1:30 PM. Community members are invited to attend.

The U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce Presidential Scholar awardees later this spring.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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