McCann Graduates Urged to Struggle And Persevere

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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McCann graduated 103 students on Wednesday night. More photos can be found here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School on Wednesday night handed out diplomas to a "mature and knowledgable" graduating class of 2014.

But not so mature that they couldn't take a few moments to celebrate the end of their four-year journey with hoots, horns and the spangle of ribbon poppers in the Amsler Campus Center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

The class had much to celebrate, said Principal Justin Kratz. They had met deadlines, teamed together to get projects done and developed a strong work ethic that will do them well in the future.

"Be proud of your accomplishments," he said, applauding them on a senior prank played out earlier in which the students set all of their phone to go off at exactly 10 a.m. in their lockers — and forcing the principal to unlock and turn off each one.

"It was tasteful, it was appropriate and it was very clever," said Kratz, to the graduates' laughter.

While an example of the strong bonds between the class, now was the time for farewells, however bittersweet, said valedictorian Makenna Lindsey Arnold.

The word valedictorian means to say goodbye, she said. "I have been tasked to say farewell for you and to you."

She encouraged her classmates to continue to strive to achieve in all their endeavors, and to find success in happiness and in love of what they are doing.

"Struggle is the key of success, success is not a guaranteed element in life but is actually a choice," said Arnold. "It's a critical choice to strive for our achievements ...  reach for dreams .. explore opportunities."

McCann would remain a reminder to be true to themselves and to their achievements.

"We need to be of value to others and we need to recognize the value in ourselves," Arnold said. "Now it is our time to step past the boundaries of comfort and enter the real world."   



Arnold went out of her way to thank her teachers, friends and especially her parents for their guidance, echoing similar sentiments from salutatorian Jessica Sue-Ann Lesure.

"We will never travel far on the road to success without their guiding hands and encouraging words,"  said Lesure.

She thanked her teachers "for pushing me and teaching me valuable lessons inside and outside of the classroom."

The last four years have been struggle, said Lesure, and she congratulated the class on the "distinguished work" they had done.

"I like the rest of you have worked hard and tirelessly to get to this night and I strive to be exceptional ... to find myself here in front of you tonight and to earn this title is priviliged," she said.

Lesure challenged her classmates to expand themselves.

"You've already created a foundation of who you are," she said. "After tonight, you're job is to find out what makes you happy, what makes you you and what will help you create your legacy."

School Committee Chairman Thomas R. Mahar said they had the maturity and knowledge to succeed, noting 70 percent of the class planned to continue their education while four were entering the military.

Mahar, Kratz and Superintendent James Brosnan presented the diplomas, soldiering through a slight mixup in names. Breeana Lexus Rodriguez sang the national anthem to the keyboard accompaniment of Robert A. Davis. Class officers President Andrea Silva Leal, Vice President Brian Dougherty and Treasurer Emily Danielle Wilusz presented flowers and thanks to class advisers Lisa Collins and Sarah Hadley.

"The key thing to remember is perseverance, perseverance as students and as young men and women and the bonds and friendships you've formed over your four years at McCann," Brosnan told them, and the perseverance of family, friends, parents and teachers ... "who over the last four years have done everything they could to make sure you're ready to face the world and be successful."


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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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