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Jacob LePrevost receives his diploma from Principal Joseph P. Turmel.
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Salutatorian Stephanie Young shares memories of her times at Lee High School.
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Superintendent James P. McCandless tells graduates to be prepared for detours in life.

Lee High Class of 2013 Embraces Community, Friendship

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
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Sixty-six Lee High School students graduated on Saturday afternoon.
LENOX, Mass. — The message to embrace friendship and community was prevalent at Lee High School's graduation on Saturday afternoon.
 
"If there is anything in life that can make your day brighter or can keep you grounded, it is the kind words of a friend and this is the undefined fuel that burns at the heart of our town, nestled in the protective folds of the Berkshire Hills," said Valedictorian Moriah McKenna to her 65 fellow classmates, friends and families at the ceremony in the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood.
 
McKenna recalled a surprise 15th birthday party as a moment in her life that defined friendship and hoped all her classmates enjoyed a similar feeling.
 
"I hope that you all are as sure as I am of yourselves as I am, knowing you have such a loving supportive community to return home to," she said.
 
Salutatorian Stephanie Young shared much of the same feelings and enjoyed the atmosphere during her years growing up at the school.
 

Valedictorian Moriah McKenna stressed the importance of community and friendship in her speech.

"I can't even begin to describe the sense of comfort and unity you feel when you enter the school, whether it be through the front entrance or a propped back door," Young said. "It was actually a pleasure to come to school every day and be within this tightly knit community.
 
School Committee Chairwoman Susan Harding told the class of 2013 to approach "new faces with an open mind and an open heart" to others as wherever they go in the world, regardless of their position or appearance.
 
"Here's our secret weapon," Harding said. "Here's what we can give you in a small place that maybe kids from bigger places don't always get. We're all people... People are all special."
 
Superintendent Jason P. McCandless, who will be leaving the school system after 11 years for a position in the Pittsfield School District, told students to be prepared for detours in life regardless of their plans.
 
"Where I went to college, what I studied, who I met, where we wound up living, working and raising our children were all deviations from the plan I had sitting on my high school graduation stage," McCandless said. "But in the end they were all tremendous blessings for me and my family and I hope to the places we've been as well."
 
 
The Graduates Scholarships & Awards Val & Sal Photos
Angela Argio *
Maximo Artioli 
Jeremiah Babcock
Kaitlin Berry
Taylor Briggs
Samantha Brown *
Stone Burdick
Dana Campagna
Joseph Carlotto
William Carroll
Jamie Castegnaro
Shirley Castillo
Cameron Collins *
Tyler Collins
Hadley Cook *
George Cox
Lisa Curley
Asia Curtin
Zachary DeSantis *
Tanner DeVarennes *
Eileen Dooley *
Marcus Drake
Brian Drumm
Jacob Fanham
Nicholas Fillio
Lauren Gagnon
Lara Gallant
Austin Gaudette
Megan Gaul *
Andrew Goodfellow III
Sara Groves
Michael Haywood
Megan Heppleston *
Travern Jerome
Abigal Jones *
Rebekah Kelley *
Sean Kelly
Jared Kirchner
Katherine Larkin
Jacob LePrevost *
Timothy LePrevost
Michelle Light
Moriah McKenna +*
Maria Melendez
Sara Middleton *
Victoria Murphy *
Ryan Nalepa
Amber Newton *
Edward Perry
Joshua Pressley
Kenneth Retzel
Lauren Richardson *
Amanda Robertson
Rebecca Robertson
Madelyn Salice *
Michelle Scapin
Nicholaus Sitzer
William Stewart
Kenn Suarez
Jack Tallboy *
Tabitha Thomas
Kurt Warner *
Preston Webb
Joseph Winston
James Wood
Chuanqi Xiong
Stephanie Young ++*
Jessica Zerbato
+ valedictorian, ++ salutatorian, * National Honor Society

 

 


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Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund Songwriter Series Continues

LEE, Mass. — The Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund will host the second event of its new bi-monthly Songwriter Series on Friday, Jan. 17, at Appetito, located at 54 Main Street in Lee.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features Pittsfield-based singer-songwriter Christine Bilé, followed by an open mic session for original songwriters.

According to a press release:

Christine Bilé is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, blending acoustic pop and folk influences. Playing instruments like guitar and ukulele, she writes, composes, and arranges songs that explore themes of relationships, self-love, and empowerment. Influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, John Mayer, and Beyoncé, Christine plays music across Massachusetts and beyond, with notable performances including a set at the Ladybug Music Festival in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Songwriter Series, held on the first and third Fridays of each month, celebrates the legacy of Sandy McKnight, a beloved local musician and advocate for the arts who passed away in May 2024. The series offers a platform for seasoned and emerging songwriters to share their work, fostering community and creativity in McKnight’s memory.

 

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