BArT Announces Junior Book Awards Worth Over $1.75 Million Dollars

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ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Arts & Technology (BArT) Charter Public School presented Junior Book Awards during a ceremony on Monday, June 15, at an all-school assembly.

The recipients were as follows:

The Alfred University Scholars Award is a merit-based scholarship offered to high-achieving junior students. The selected recipient will receive $30,000 per year while attending AU. Based on their transcript and letter of recommendation, they also offer this student admission to Alfred University for Fall 2026 as an Academic Explorer in their College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This award goes to Aiko Hosmer and Gabrielle Thomas

The Clarkson University Award recognizes students with strong academic records and outstanding leadership. Their Achievement Award, worth $30,000 per year (total of $120,000), goes to Keira Cannava, and their Leadership Award, worth $30,000 per year (total of $120,000), goes to Lillie Lloyd.

The Cornell Sweatshirt Award recognizes an outstanding student who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to the Berkshire community. This year, the sweatshirt goes to Keira Cannava.

The Elmira Key Award, an award of merit, is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. The award is valued at $22,000 per year (total of $88,000), and this year it is presented to Norin Darby.

The George Mason University College Book Award honors students who demonstrate academic curiosity, intellectual growth, civic engagement, and a commitment to inclusion. The award includes a fee waiver and is awarded to Jayden Bruneau.

The Lasell University Book Award honors students who embody the Lasell motto, Repulsae Nescia (Ignorant of Defeat). The recipient consistently pursues the greatest version of themselves. In short, they never seem to quit! This award includes $1,000 towards tuition and is awarded to Isabella Luna.

The 2026 MCLA Book Award is a prestigious scholarship and recognition program presented to outstanding high school juniors in Berkshire County. It honors 11th graders who exemplify academic excellence, demonstrate leadership skills, and are heavily committed to bettering their local communities. This student will receive $1,000 in their first year at MCLA if admitted to the program. This award goes to Teagan Smith.

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Award recognizes outstanding high school juniors for their scholastic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. Their Art and Design award, worth $29,000 per year (total of $116,000), goes to Sarah Fleury. Their Humanities and Social Sciences award, worth $29,000 per year (total of $116,000), goes to Jayden Bruneau. Their Science and Math award, worth $29,000 per year (total of $116,000), goes to Mickeayla Rosa Pietri. Their Engineering and Technology award, worth $29,000 per year (total of $116,000), goes to Aiko Hosmer.

The Russel Sage Student Sage Award is a recognition program for outstanding high school juniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, character, and community involvement. The award is valued at $22,000 per year (total of $88,000) and is awarded to Nate Guerin.

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rensselaer Medal is awarded to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. This medal comes with a scholarship of $40,000 per year (total of $160,000). This award goes to Gabrielle Thomas

The Sacred Heart Book Award recognizes an outstanding high school junior for academic achievement and for embodying the university's values. This year's award goes to Katie Higgins.

The Saint Michael's College Book Award recognizes outstanding students who are chosen by their schools for demonstrating a strong commitment to volunteerism and leadership in their communities. Recipients of this award are considered for a four-year merit scholarship at Saint Michael's, ranging in amounts from $17,000 to full tuition, contingent upon an offer of acceptance. This award goes to Kendall Heck.

The Simmons University Junior Book Award recognizes students who show exceptional promise and achievement. This award goes to Clara Janis. 

The Springfield College Book Award is presented to a high school junior who demonstrates a proven record of service to their school and community. The award recognizes students whose personal values, leadership, and aspirations closely align with Springfield College's mission of educating students in spirit, mind, and body. This year's recipient is Emily Rivenburg.

The St. Lawrence Book Award honors high school juniors who have distinguished themselves in their communities by their significant commitment to community service. An actual book is awarded to these students, along with a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year for 4 years) for those Book Award recipients who apply and are admitted to St. Lawrence University. This award goes to Mickeayla Rosa Pietri.

The St. Lawrence True North Scholars Program is a highly competitive, renewable merit award valued at $44,500 per year (totaling $178,000 over four years). It honors high school juniors who demonstrate strong character, community engagement, and strong academics. This year's recipients are Katie Higgins and Sage Winkler.

The Suffolk University Book Award is given to a student who exemplifies a commitment to their education and school community. This award includes a signed book package and an application fee waiver. The awardee is Lillie Lloyd. 

The University of Vermont Book Award celebrates high school students around the globe who demonstrate the spirit of citizenship and scholarship. The award package includes an official letter of recognition, along with this year's selected book, Motherland by Maria Hummel. All recipients will also be eligible for an application fee waiver to the University of Vermont. This award goes to Sage Winkler.

The Western New England University Book Award is given to a high school student who shows a high level of leadership throughout their extracurricular activities and community service. This year's winner is Clara Janis.

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Innovation Award recognizes a student who demonstrates outstanding potential in STEM fields. It includes an application fee waiver and a minimum $25,000 merit scholarship per academic year upon acceptance (a total of $100,000). This award goes to Aiko Hosmer.

 


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Cheshire Speed Limits Reduced, Code of Conduct Mulled

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Some streets will soon be slower for cars with the Department of Public Works replacing the speed limit signs in response to community concerns.

The town adopted Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce some local road speed limits to 25 mph. Twenty-three streets are approved by the state; signs are ordered from the state Department of Transportation and should arrive within a couple weeks.

DPW Director Corey McGrath told the Selectmen at last Tuesday's meeting that the department had received concerns from residents wanting people to be slower on the following streets:

  • Church Street 
  • East Main Street 
  • portions of Wells Road 
  • Main Street 
  • Furnace Hill Road
  • Flaherty Road
  • Pit Road
  • Prospect Street 
  • Dean Street 
  • Richmond Street 
  • School Street 
  • Railroad Street 
  • Depot Street 
  • Richardson Street 
  • 5th Avenue
  • Meadowview Drive 
  • Wood Lane
  • Dean Street Extension 
  • portions of Ingalls Road 
  • Devonshire Drive 
  • Yorkshire Drive
  • Berkshire Drive 
  • Wilshire Drive 

Chair Michelle Francesconi asked McGrath to look into the signs solar-powered "slow down" signs. She also spoke about increasing problems with electric bicycles and similar devices.

Young people are going 30 to 40 mph, often on sidewalks, weaving between cars, cutting through private property and town property and riding in the road, she said, and brought up how other towns are creating bylaws to address these problems. Francesconi thought the board should look into it as well as a matter of public safety.

The state is currently revising related laws, so the board will see what the Legislature passes and then model bylaws on other communities.

Francesconi also said that since there is limited police coverage at night during most of the behavior, she suggested shifting some patrol hours to evenings to address youth riding behavior.

Later in the meeting, Francesconi also brought up code of conduct for town employees as she has been receiving numerous reports regarding professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and internal relationships and communication among town hall staff, department heads, and with the public.

She said town counsel has recommended adopting a code of conduct as well as providing training. After some discussion, the board decided to get a catalog of training options and identify mandatory and optional trainings. Members are also thinking of doing them in-person.

In other news, the Fire Department's rescue boat missing from the water because motor is broken and is in the process of being replaced.

There are two applicants in the running for the police chief position who will be doing the assessment center on Aug. 17. The Selectmen will get their resumes afterward and decide on interviews.

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