BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Graduates of Practical Nursing Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for graduates of its Practical Nursing Program on Thursday, June 26.
 
The event honored 22 graduates, three of whom received special awards. 
 
Award winners are as follows: 
  • 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. 
The graduates from Massachusetts are: 
  • 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 
The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words "To travel hopefully."   
 
The graduates wish to thank Paula and Stan Walczyk for their gift of the nursing pins.    
 
For more information about BCC Allied Health and Nursing programs, call the Admissions Office at (413) 236-1630 or visit www.berkshirecc.edu/nursing

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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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