The Drury Drama Team at the International Thespian Festival

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James Montepare receives the Educational Theatre Association's National Administrator's Award from Debbie Gibbs, President-Elect.
Anna Sebastino, student president of the Drury Drama Team was elected as an International Thespian Officer. The six members of this prestigious group helps organize the week-long International Thespian Festival held at the University of Nebraska and composed of over 3000 participants.

She was elected at the festival by student leaders from 45 states and a number of foreign countries. Her area of responsibility will cover New England, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. She will attend state Thespian festivals in these states and along with the five other Thespian Officers, will oversee the International Thespian Festival next June in Nebraska. Dr. Radin said that, “I was thrilled but not very surprised that Anna was elected to this international office. She is an intensely bright, industrious and personable young women who will go far in life. I look forward to attending next year’s festival with Anna at the helm of this exciting event.”<L2>

James Montepare, Superintendent of the North Adams Public Schools was presented the National Administrator’s Award before an audience of over 3000 theatre students and their teachers. He was presented a large plaque by Debbie Gibbs, President-Elect of the Educational Theatre Association in recognition of his understanding of the importance of the arts, and in particular theatre, in the development of young men and woman. There were only two administrators this year who were honored with this international award.

<R3> The Drama Team received a standing ovation for their performance of, Booby Trap at the International Thespian Festival. This one-act drama depicted a soldier during war who was trapped by a land mine and reluctantly left by his unit to die on the battle field. The Drama Team performed the play at MCLA and Drury High School earlier this year. It was directed by student, Christopher Gutierrez, who graduated in June
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North Adams OKs Property Sale, Vac Truck Buy

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday sold off a dilapidated property and approved borrowing of more than $600,000 for a new vacuum truck. 
 
The property at 135 East Quincy St. was acquired for back taxes through Land Court. Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the city had a buyer at $30,000. 
 
"Folks, I was shocked that we even got a buyer," she said. "When we took it, I was afraid we were really going to own it. The back of it is like missing it's in deplorable condition."
 
However, there were four or five interested buyers with the $30,000 cash bid being the best, the mayor said. The delinquent taxes on the property are $80,000.
 
"We are taking a loss on it, but again we're hopeful that they will flip it, so to say, and get it back on the tax rolls," said Macksey. "So technically, I don't have to ask you for permission, because it is a foreclosed property, but as I said before, I'd like to inform you of the good work that [Treasurer/Tax Collector] Jessica {Lincourt} is doing, and that we are moving these tax title properties through foreclosure, which we hate doing ...
 
"But this house has been vacant for a very long time, and we have a lot of complaints from the neighbors out there about this."
 
In answer to questions, Lincourt said 44 properties are currently in Land Court. 
 
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