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McCann Graduates Told to 'Shine'

By Jen Thomas - June 05, 2008
iBerkshires Staff

Photos by Paul Guillotte and Jen Thomas

NORTH ADAMS - Nicholas and Mitchell Daniels have never really had to spend too much time apart.

The fraternal twins, 17, will be attending different colleges in the fall - Mitch will be going to Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island and Nick to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

"It'll definitely be weird being separated," said Mitch, who plans to go on to study culinary arts.

On Wednesday night, the brothers officially completed their final day as classmates, walking across the stage at the C.H. McCann Technical School's 46th annual Commencement exercises. Nick, the class of 2008's salutatorian, said he welcomed the change and was looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.


"I'm excited but - I don't know- it's the last time we get to be in high school. It's the last day for everything. I'm going to miss so much but I'm also looking forward to the future," said Nick, who completed the computer-assisted design program and hopes to study computer animation at RPI.

In his speech, Nick compared the experience of being a senior year in high school to a bag of marbles.

"The students, each individually shine and show their colors and the high school brings them all together. And once the bag - I mean, the high school - lets the students out, they all go in different directions or some in the same," he said, scattering a bag of silver marbles across the stage in the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Amsler Campus Center.

"What this means is that each of you has the same starting point and that, once we leave this ceremony, we will all go our separate ways. Let us shine like the students we were meant to be when we stepped through the front doors of McCann those years before and make a difference where we are, in this moment."

That sentiment - building on the strong foundation McCann provided - reverberated in the night's speeches, including ones by Superintendent James J. Brosnan, retiring Principal Gary Rivers and Valedictorian Christine S. Leal.


"As graduates of McCann Technical School, we have prepared you to meet challenges. At the start, you came to us with an empty toolbox and over four years, we've helped you fill it," said Rivers, who also said that this graduation - his last - was "a sad event."

Rivers left the students with what he called "pearls of wisdom."

"No. 1. Remember the compliments you receive and forget the insults. Read the directions even if you don't follow them. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life," he said. 

Leal, a cheerleader, active volunteer and exceptional student, told her classmates to "lean back on the support" of the relationships they've built at McCann in a speech in which she drew parallels between life and her favorite pastime.

"In many aspects of life, including cheerleading, many people look for glory or recognition. In cheerleading routines, people typically want to be at the top of the pyramid but without other people giving support, one couldn't be at the top. Everyone has their own foundation that helps push you forward but you also need a support system because no one can make it on their own. You need someone to pick you up when you fall and someone to give you guidance and advice when it is needed most," Leal said.

 
 
 
 
 

The valedictorian, an office technology student, will attend Bridgewater State College in the fall, where she will major in business. Leal eventually hopes to become a businesswoman and get involved in the family business (her father owns more than a dozen Dunkin Donuts stores in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont).

"This year flew by. It just went by so fast. I think I'll carry a lot of old memories with me when I go and I'll definitely miss my friends the most when I leave," said Leal.

Leal said she attributes her success to a strong work ethic and a drive to do well.

"I can't just not do my homework. It would bother me if I didn't get something done. I'm ambitious and I know that a lot of people deserve this honor and a lot of people worked just as hard or harder than me but I'm definitely excited because this was one of my goals," she said.

In her speech, she told the class of 2008 to be bold, to go out into the world afraid of making mistakes.

"After today, we will be making decisions about what direction is best for each of us. Be persistent and strive to achieve every one of your dreams, be open to new experiences, figure out where you belong in the world and always trust your instincts because in the end, everything will happen the way it was supposed to," Leal said.

For Jeanna Tinney, this year's senior class president, this last day as a McCann student means one stage has ended and another is beginning.

"This is a huge chapter that's closing in our lives. The memories we've made over these last four years are irreplaceable but I'm excited to new opportunities. I'm excited for everything," Tinney said.

A computer-assisted design student, Tinney plans to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the fall and pursue degrees in political science and psychology, eventually going on to study at American University.

"The idea that it's over hasn't really kicked in yet. It's been surreal these last few days," she said.

As students walked across the stage to collect their diplomas, many slipped a marble or two into the hand of Rivers both as something of a practical joke and also to honor the outgoing principal. Claiming he had "lost his marbles," Rivers thanked the students for returning them.

"It's just something they did. I don't know why. They’re just a great group of kids," Rivers said after the ceremony.

Though he won't be the one at the helm, Rivers told the group of white- and green-clad graduates that McCann would always be a safe haven for them.

"If you ever need McCann Tech, you know where it is," he said.

Diplomas were awarded by School Committee Chairman Daniel J. Maloney Jr and Brosnan.



McCann Technical School Awards
 
Abigail and John Adams Scholarship: Ethan Cohane-Mann, Kaci Lea Kota, Adam E. Cottrell, Nicholas William Daniels, Brett James Gelinas, Sarah Elizabeth Grimaldi, James Sooyoung Kemper III, Michael Jay Krutiak, Christine S. Leal, Katherine A. Livsey, Joshua A. Neville, Sally Ann Perras, Matthew R. Sacco, Steven J. Senay Jr., Justin Thomas Steadman, Michelle Renee Stone, Gina Lynn Tatro, Jeanna L. Tinney, Andrew J. Wilk.

ACF Certification Awards: Ethan Dwight Atwell, Joshua Charles Atwell, Bridgit Marie Benoit, Mitchell Steven Daniels, Christa Marie Griffin, Michael Jay Krutiak, Sally Ann Perras, Paul William St. Pierre Jr. Justin Thomas Stedman, Michelle Renee Stone, Cassandra Lynn Vallieres

Adams Co-Operative Bank: Nicholas Williams Daniels, Brett James Gelinas, Christine S. Leal, Sally Ann Perras, Michelle Renee Stone

Adams Lions Club: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi

Adams Lodges of Masons & Elks, William Wronski Memorial Scholarship: Rebecca Lynn Dignum

Adams Outdoorsmen for Youth Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi, Jeanna L. Tinney

Adams Plumbing & Heating Scholarship: Matthew Sacco

Albin Anthony "Bunik" Biros Memorial Award: Nicholas David Berasi

Alexander C. W. McNichol Memorial Award: Zachary Ian Taylor

American Legion School Awards: Brittany Leigh Bradbury, Travis Gerry

Berkshire Community

College Foundation Larkin Family Scholarship: Kristopher Basinger

Berkshire Community College Foundation, Honorable Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick Scholarship: Chelsea Ganczar

Bernard R. "Bucky" Bullett Scholarship: Heather Malloy

Bruce Whitman Memorial Award: Katelyn Ashley Lavigne-Soucie

Byrone & Rose Crum Scholarship: Melanie Lynn Lemaire

Charles B. Cooper Memorial Scholarship: Kate Theresa Reardon

Charlie Cooper Memorial Award: Joshua M. Briggs

Cheshire Lion's Club: Andrew J. Wilk, Kate Theresa Reardon

Clarksburg School PTG Scholarship: Heather Nicole Malloy

D.A. Ponti Athletic Award: Kaitlin E. Hendrickson

DAR Good Citizenship Award: Matthew R. Sacco

Daniel H. Petithory Memorial Scholarship: Andrew J. Wilk

Drury High School Soccer Team: James Sooyoung Kemper III

Edwin E. Silvia Memorial Award: James Sooyong Kemper III

Edwin P. Stawarz Memorial Scholarship: Max William LaCasse

Excellence in Cabinet Making: Sarah Alyse Williams

Excellence in Carpentry Award: Steven Denault

FLAME Scholarship: Brittany Leigh Bradbury, Mitchell Steven Daniels, Nicholas William Daniels, Andrew J. Wilk

Florida Education Association Scholarship: Brett Gelinas

Francis Millard Memorial Scholarship: Adam Cottrell, Dean St. Jacques

Francis Walsh Memorial Scholarship: Daniel Wood Celentano

Frank N. Costa Scholarship: Gina Tatro

Frank R. Stiles Post 125, American Legion Book Award in Memory of Paula J. Raymond: James Sooyong Kemper

Frank R. Stiles Post 125, American Legion Auxiliary Anne Sacco Memorial Scholarship: Steven Senay

Frank S. Lazarczyk Scholarship: Nicholas Daniels

"Friends of McCann Technical School" Award: Kate Reardon

George L. Knight Memorial Scholarship: Matt Sacco

Greylock Community Club Scholarship: Sally Perras, Gina Tatro

Greylock Federal Credit Union "Treat Everyone Better Than They Expect" Scholarship: Travis Gerry

Greylock Elementary School PTG Florence and Jerry Siciliano Scholarship: Sally Ann Perras

Hancock Citizens Scholarship Award: Sara Alyse Williams, Kristopher Basinger

Hancock School Faculty Award: Sara Alyse Williams

Heather Torres Memorial: Heather Malloy

Helen Hickey George Scholarship: Kate Theresa Reardon

Hoosac Bank Scholarship: Michelle Stone

IEEE Science Scholarship: Matthew Cote

Irene Chalmers Memorial Scholarship: Joshua A. Neville

Joan Solari Memorial Award: Christine S. Leal

Jocelyn E. LeClair Memorial Scholarship: Adam Cottrell, James Kemper

"Joe" Choquette Memorial Award: Thomas D. Primmer

John M. White, Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Ethan Cohane-Mann

John W. Scarpitto Memorial Award: Sarah Alyse Williams

Kellie Boyce Memorial Scholarship: Chelsea Lynn Gancarz

La Fayette - Greylock Lodge of Masons: Samantha Kay Shepard

Landmark Credit Union: Sally Perras

Lynn Burdick Memorial Award: Christa Mary Griffin

Maple Grove Civic Club Scholarship: Kaci Lea Cota, Travis Gerry

Marshalltown Masonry Award: Mark Goerlach, Justin Wright

Massachusetts School Superintendent's Association Award: Christine Leal

Mathias and Dorothy Schneider Scholarship: Stephen J. Senay Jr.

Matthew Zappone Memorial Scholarship: Travis Gerry

MAVA/MVA Outstanding Vocational Student Award: Michelle Renee Stone

Massachusetts Vocational Association Presidential Award: Adam Digennaro, Heather Malloy

MA Vocational Association Technical Student Achievement Award: James Sooyong Kemper

McCann Class of 2004 Award "In memory of Charlie Cooper": Adam DiGennaro

McCann Class of 2004 Award "In memory of Monica Charron": Danielle Bulshey

McCann Culinary Arts Club Scholarship: Michelle Renee Stone, Mitchell Steven Daniels

McCann Culinary Arts Club Awards: Sally Ann Perras, Bridgit Marie Benoit

McCann Culinary Arts Hall of Fame Award: Michelle Renee Stone

McCann Faculty Association Awards: David Lemieux (Automotive), Sarah Alyse Williams (Carpentry), Brett James Gelinas (Computer Assisted Drafting), Christa Mary Griffin (Culinary Arts), Huguer Joel Alvarado (Electricity), Samantha Shepard (Information Technology), James Sooyong Kemper (Machine Technology), Adam DiGennaro (Metal Fabrication), Christine S. Leal (Office Technology)

Nancy Perkins Memorial Scholarship: Brett Gelinas

New Car Dealers Association: Brian K. Ploufe

Night Cruzers of Berkshire County: Adam Church

North Adams Fraternal Order of Eagles Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi, Matthew D. Sacco

North Adams Historical Society Hoosac Tunnel Scholarship: Chelsea Lynn Ganczar

North Adams Lodge of Elks: Kristopher Basinger

North Adams Travel Club Book Award: Kristopher Basinger

Peter L. Cantoni Memorial Award: Cassandra Lynn Vallieres

Ray Hill Memorial Scholarship Post #996: Erika Andrews

Richard Kliener Memorial Scholarship: Travis Gerry

Robert D. Reynolds Memorial Award: Jeanna L. Tinney

Salutatorian: Nicholas William Daniels

School Nurse Award: Erika Andrews

Scott M. Gliwski Memorial Scholarship: Michelle Renee Stone

South Adams Savings Bank Scholarship: Erika Lynn Andrews, Gina Lynn Tatro

Specialty Minerals: Zachary B. Gamache

Sam Walton Community Scholarship: Sara Elizabeth Grimaldi

State Street T - Neighborhood Kids Scholarship: Katrina Valotta

Stephen Belouin Memorial Scholarship: Adam E. Cottrell

Steven S. Ferrara Memorial Scholarship: Ashley Jean Czarnecki

Thomas A. Grande Memorial Scholarship: Erika Lynn Andrews

Tony M. & Anna B. Deep Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Ann Beverly

Ugo "Specks" Bianchi Memorial Award: Travis Gerry

Valedictorian: Christine S. Leal

Vocational Achievement Award, Sons of Italy, Lodge 704: Brittany Christine Reeves

Walter Timoney Memorial Award: Andrew D. G. Marchegiani

William "Moose" Roberts Memorial Award: Ethan Cohane-Mann

Williamstown Community Scholarships: Toran Manning

Williamstown Rotary Club Scholarship: David E. Lemieux

Your Comments
Post Comment
Congrats to everyonee!!!!!
Good luck with the future!
from: Gabbyon: 06-11-2008
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