Hoosac Valley Names 2009 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Print Story | Email Story
Valedictorian
Holly Bednarz
Salutatorian
Laura Russett

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School has named the top two students for the class of 2009.

This year's valedictorian is Holly Bednarz of Adams; Laura Russett, also of Adams, has been named salutatorian.

Bednarz is the daughter of John and Karen Bednarz. At Hoosac, she was a member of the LEO Club, a Student Council representative who served as president her senior year, and a member of the Susan B. Anthony Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Her outside interests include 10 years as a member of the Berkshire Dance Theatre, at which she has danced ballet, tap, jazz, modern and pointe.

As a junior, she was the recipient of the Dartmouth Book Award, the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Alec Frese Memorial Modern Scholarship and the Cecchetti Ballet Exam Award.


Bednarz will attend Boston University in the fall to major in physical therapy.

Russett is the daughter of Larry and Jane Russett. While at Hoosac, she was a member of the Dance Competition Team, the LEO Club, serving as director her senior year, a Student Council representative, and a member of the Susan B. Anthony Chapter of the National Honor Society.

As a junior, she was the recipient of the Clarkson University Book Award, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Book Award and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Russett will attend Springfield College in the fall, also to major in physical therapy.

Commencement exercises will be held on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Cheshire Lays Off School Resource Officer

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — A veteran officer of the Police Department is out after his position as school resource officer was was basically eliminated. 
 
The Select Board on Thursday night voted to lay off Sgt. David Tarjick after the Hoosac Valley Regional School District requested he not return to the high school campus. 
 
An investigation had cleared him of an incident with a student but he went to the school prior to being officially reinstated.
 
The vote came after about 19 minutes of discussion and statements from Tarjick, who had requested the posted executive session be opened. 
 
"I love this town. I've given my all to this town, and I guess this is the thanks I get," Tarjick said. He said he was being made a "scapegoat" because of threats of a lawsuit.
 
The 18-year veteran of the force was accompanied by his attorney and nearly three dozen supporters who were not allowed to speak on his behalf. Public participation was not listed on the agenda as the meeting had been for executive session.
 
The initial incident had involved a complaint of the use of force with a student; according to Tarjick and officials, a third-party investigation cleared him of any allegations. The Select Board at an executive session on Nov. 12 voted to reinstate him as he had been relieved of his duties as SRO during this period. 
 
View Full Story

More Cheshire Stories