NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School awarded diplomas and pins to 23 graduates of the cosmetology, dental assisting, medical assisting and surgical technology programs on Monday night. 

 

The gymnasium at the school was filled with family members cheering the graduates. Superintendent James Brosnan noted that it was an opportunity to celebrate not just for the students completing their postsecondary programs but also for the families. 

 

"You can celebrate their success, your success, because without you they wouldn't be here tonight," he said. 

 

School Committee Chair Gary Rivers offered them three key things to remember: "Be flexible. Be flexible. Be flexible."

 

"The academic content in clinical experiences are extremely demanding. The material is technically demanding," he said. "Unlike anything you have studied in the past, your clinicals have given you practical application of your skills and the preview of the day-to-day life of a medical assistant, a cosmetologist, a dental assistant, a surgical tech ...

 

"You know what it takes to get the job done and you are willing to do it.  Remember, the only thing constant is change. Your generation is expected to change careers at least four times. Job security is a thing of the past. ... Always get the education and the skills you need to change."

 

Assistant Principal Keith Daigneault recognized three graduates who won medals in SkillsUSA competitions: Kaliegh Eichstedt won state level gold in cosmetology and Sierra Beckman and Blake Smith, who both won gold in dental assisting. Kelly Sadlow and Ashley Massey took silver in dental assisting. 

 

Eichstedt, Beckman and Blake will be competing in the national competition in Atlanta this month. 

 

With that, Principal Justin Kratz called up the graduates as program coordinators joined Brosnan and Rivers to "pin" them and wish them success, after which the gathering made its way onto the lawn for pictures, and flowers and balloons. 

 

Two cosmetology graduates were ready to embark on their new careers. 

 

Cindy Slade of Dalton said she loved the course and was following in the footsteps of her mother, a hairdresser.  

 

"Everyone was super sweet, and the teacher awesome," she said adding she's already working at Oasis Hair Design & Day Spa  in Pittsfield and will be working at Loft 48 Salon in Lenox.

 

Gwendolyn Payne of Great Barrington also has a job lined up. 

 

"It's always something I've been interested in," she said. "I've wanted to do it since middle school, so just decided to pursue that."

 

Makenna Kubli of Pittsfield had a personal reason for pursuing a careering dental assisting. 

 

"I've always had an interest in it because I had a big gap in my teeth, and I needed orthodontic work when I was younger, and after the work, I felt really confident in myself, and I've always wanted to do that and help other people and make them feel confident," she said. "I reached out to McCann, and they brought me in touch with the instructor, Michelle [Racette, program coordinator], and she really helped me. And now I have a job."

 

She's working at Western Mass Periodontics' Pittsfield office and greatly enjoyed taking the program. 

 

"It worked out well," she said. "I really enjoyed it I would really recommend it."