BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Graduates of Practical Nursing Program

• Sarah McCormick, Academic Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the LPN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in Nursing. This award recognizes the hard work and determination demonstrated by this student in the pursuit of nursing knowledge. 
• Jeidi Paredes, Clinical Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who performs exemplary delivery of nursing skills in the clinical setting. This award recognizes the role of advocacy in nursing by promoting compassionate and holistic patient centered care. 
• Edward Kuloba, Professionalism in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who is committed to high quality patient care, and role models teamwork and collaboration. This award recognizes the importance of communication, critical thinking and promotes the positive image of nursing. 

• Ahou Claudine Adiatou-Koffi, Pittsfield 
• Celia Armstrong, Housatonic 
• Gabrielle Barrett, Pittsfield  
• Marleigh Briggs, Cheshire  
• Yesmary Carela, Chicopee  
• Courtney Decker, Dalton  
• Erin Dillon, Pittsfield  
• Gretchen Ghada, Sandisfield  
• Miranda Harford, Pittsfield  
• Natoniah Kemp-Williams, Pittsfield  
• Chasidy Kery, Holyoke 
• Edward Kuloba, West Springfield  
• Jennifer Lippmann, Northampton  
• Sarah McCormick, Adams 
• Marina Morrison, South Lee  
• Yachira Olivo, Springfield  
• Elizabeth Paglier, Lanesborough  
• Jeidi Paredes, Agawam 
• Ariana Rave, Lee 
• Jacqueline Rosa, Springfield  
• Leticia Smachetti, Lenox Dale  
• Amber Sumner, Dalton 

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.