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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Growth of Girls Basketball Reflected in County Hall of Fame Inductees

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Each year, the Berkshire County High School Girls Basketball Hall of Fame adds more chapters to the history of the game.
 
Sometimes, that history can be traced through a single family.
 
“I can go back to the days that show how far we've progressed in women's basketball,” Deborah Donovan told the crowd at Saturday’s induction ceremony at Proprietor’s Lodge. “Because when I started at St. Joe, we had pinnies -- do you know what pinnies are? They were things you threw over your head, and it was either red or yellow, and you had to tape on a number.
 
“We didn't have a league, per se. We didn't have anyone go out and follow us.”
 
Donovan and her sisters, Patricia Donovan and Laura Donovan-Najimy, all graduates of St. Joseph Central High School, joined the county Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon, along with Donovan-Najimy’s daughter, Alice Najimy, a graduate of Lenox Memorial, Hoosac Valley’s Alie Mendel, Wahconah’s Maria Gamberoni, Lee’s Karli Retzel, Drury’s Bonnie Eichorn and Mount Everett’s Gwendolyn Carpenter.
 
Coach Ron Wojcik, who led Hoosac Valley to six state finals and two state titles, and Peter Arment, the long-time president of the Lenox Youth Basketball Association, rounded out the 11-member Class of 2026.
 
Patricia Donovan, in her remarks, noted that her sister Deborah played high school basketball in the days when teams played six on a side and players were not allowed to cross half court.
 
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