McCandless Staying as DuBois Middle School Principal

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Jake McCandless previously served as superintendent in Mount Greylock, Pittsfield, and Lee.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Jake McCandless, who left his post as superintendent of Mount Greylock Regional School District last spring, will continue as a middle school principal in the Berkshire Hills Regional School District
 
Superintendent Peter Dillon told the School Committee on Jan. 16 that McCandless, principal of W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School, has extended his contract for an additional three years. 
 
McCandless began his role in July 2024, succeeding Miles Wheat, who was hired as principal at Chatham (N.Y.) High School
 
With more than 30 years of experience in education, McCandless also previously served as superintendent in Pittsfield and Lee, where he was also a principal, as well as an assistant principal and teacher in Virginia.
 
Superintendent Dillon shared his praise.
 
"It's great to have a steady hand on the tiller," he said. "I'm so impressed with the relationships Jake has built, the time he's taken to listen, and his capacity to support sustained growth in the building. We're very lucky to have Jake as our principal and to extend his time on our team."
 
McCandless expressed his gratitude.
 
"I am very honored and very grateful for this gift of getting to serve long-term as the principal of a truly remarkable school in a truly remarkable district," he said. "Being an educator in the Berkshires for the past 22 years has been a joy, and being able to continue to serve with a focus on middle-level students and the professionals dedicated to caring for and educating them is a tremendous privilege."
 

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Mount Everett's Top Students Announced for Class of 2026

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Mount Everett Regional School has announce that Benjamin Vella has been named valedictorian, and Philip Enoch has been named salutatorian of the class of 2026.
 
They will speak at graduation exercises to be held Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Vella has completed a demanding course schedule, which includes eleven honors courses, eight early college courses, and one Advanced Placement course — Spanish Language and Culture, for which he earned the Seal of Biliteracy.
 
In addition to his academic endeavors, he has participated in extracurricular activities, making positive contributions to the Mount Everett Regional School community. Some of these activities include a member of the National Honor Society chapter, writer for The Bold Eagle student newspaper, Prom Committee member, Vex Robotics team captain, cross country team captain, track and field team captain, Rotary Interact Club secretary, and various positions on the
Student Council, including secretary, treasurer, student representative to the School Committee, and president. His leadership in the aforementioned areas has been notable. 
 
In the fall, Vella will attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, to pursue a degree in biochemistry.
 
Enoch has completed a rigorous course of study, taking 11 honors courses, three early college courses, and four AP courses. A leader in the school community and three-sport athlete, he has contributed to the Mount Everett community through the following extracurricular activities: tennis team, captain of both the soccer and hockey teams, Rotary Interact president, The Bold Eagle's
editor-in-chief, National Honor Society treasurer, and the school band and choir. 
 
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