WGBY Teen Program Returns for 4th Season

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SPRINGFIELD - The locally produced "Making It Here: TeenStyle" begin its fourth season Monday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.

One of WGBY's most popular programs, it tells the stories of hard-working and creative teens from across western New England.

"The teens featured this season are all just getting into the work force, and they each offer a unique story about their experience with this process," said producer Meagan Murphy Forget.

Returning as hosts are Shelby Leshine, 17 of Longmeadow and Donnelle Tennyson, 19 of Springfield.

Among the enterprising teens profiled this season include Web designer Brendan Ciecko of South Hadley, who has created sites for the likes of Mick Jagger and Natalie Cole, and Valerie Jursek of Greenfield, who is an electrical lineman interning with Western Mass Electric Co.

Don "Toot" Cahoon, head coach of the nationally ranked University of Massachusetts hockey team, and chef Ana Jaramillo, a culinary instructor for Dean Technical High School, will be among the weekly professionals who talk about their experiences in getting started on a career path in the show's "Business 411" segment.


The popular "Backstage Pass" segment returns to "TeenStyle" with performances ranging from reggae to jazz by area teens with aspirations of careers in music. All of the performances from this season will be available for online streaming and many songs will be available for download.

Introduced in May 2005 to WGBY's lineup of local programming, "Making It Here: TeenStyle," shot entirely in high-definition, is designed to reach into the energetic youthful communities of western New England and profile enterprising teenagers and the work they do every day.

"TeenStyle has become one of WGBY's most successful local series. And it's not just teens watching the show; we hear from plenty of adults across the region who are impressed by what they see in the local teens we profile: a motivation and entrepreneurship that's rarely covered in the media," said executive producer Lynn Page.
 
WGBY continues to seek suggestions for teens to be featured; names of potential candidates may be submitted by clicking here.

WGBY is a community-supported public broadcasting organization.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.
DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.
 
Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 
 
Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 
 
Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 
 
This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  
 
Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 
 
"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said. 
 
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