BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Nursing Graduates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for 32 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program on Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Robert Boland Theatre on the main campus.
 
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 time-honored 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." 
 
Four graduates received awards:
  • Rachel Moriarty received the Academic Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the ADN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in nursing. This award recognizes the student’s hard work and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of nursing knowledge.
  • Thomas Gwinnell received the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to a 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.
  • Petrina Roberts received the Professionalism in Nursing Award, which is presented to a student who is committed to high quality patient care, and who also serves as a role model for teamwork and collaboration. The award recognizes the importance of communication and critical thinking while promoting the positive image of nursing.
  • Santiago Diaz Charry received the Berkshire Healthcare Systems Spirit of Caring Award, which is given to a graduating Associate Degree Nursing student who best exemplifies the spirit of compassion.  The recipient of this award is committed to clinical and service excellence, optimizes each patient interaction to its full potential, and shows caring and concern for patients and their families.
The ceremony honored the following Class of 2025 graduates:
 
Connecticut
Bloomfield: Petrina Roberts
East Windsor: Camela Smith
Stafford: Trevor Maffuccio
 
Massachusetts
Adams: Emma Moser
Clarksburg: Cara Moulton
Dalton: Victoria Partridge, Courtney St. John
East Otis: Max Koivisto
Great Barrington: Stephanie Sanchez-Heredia
Lee: Amber Fabiano, Alexandra Saunders
North Adams: Alanah McLear, Payton Miller, Kelly Therrien
Pittsfield: Santiago Diaz Charry, Melissa Cobb, Thomas Gwinnell, Kobe Holloway, Laura Murphy, Clarinda Osei, London Steinman, Nicholas Stockley, Sally Twumasi
Richmond: Grace Ellrodt
Savoy: Jeremiah Reagan
South Egremont: Rachel Moriarty
South Lee: Nicole Bianco
Southfield: Peter Regan
Springfield: Kelly Phipps, Myrna Shapiro
 
New York
Stephentown: Jenessa Fuller
 
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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Berkshire Concrete Special Permit Continued; Other Updates

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Frustrations continue to fester with the Planning Board's decision last week to continue the public hearing for Berkshire Concrete's special permit for a third time. 
 
Confusion stemming from a labyrinthine history, questions surrounding the board's legal authority, and illegible documents described as "garbage" by board member Don Davis has delayed the town's yearlong odyssey in mitigating sand from leaving Berkshire Concrete's property. 
 
During the prior two meetings, the board asked Petricca Industries, the parent company of Berkshire Concrete, to provide updated, accurate, and clear plans. However, the documents provided did not answer the questions the board presented during previous meetings. 
 
Board members criticized the documentation provided for the absence of a clear overlay indicating "no-extraction" areas, a lack of information about the proposed work and schedule, unclear depictions of previously worked and reclaimed areas, and the failure to include a definitive reclamation schedule.
 
Attendees also noted the absence of a sufficient dust mitigation plan, which the town's consultant Berkshire Environmental Consultants, determined was insufficient
 
Berkshire Concrete's attorney, Dennis Egan Jr. of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP, asserted that the 1992 permit, which applies to the entirety of its land, is the foundation to all special permit renewals. 
 
He contends that the yearly renewal demonstrates to the board where Berkshire Concrete intends to mine during that timeframe and the reclamation requirements and dust mitigation plan are unchanged from previous modifications that had been modified in 1994, 2000, and 2013. 
 
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