Valedictorian Lucas Wildrick reminded his peers to follow their dreams and passion, seize opportunities, and not to fear taking risks. See more photos here.
DALTON, Mass.— Wahconah Regional High School graduates were reminded to follow their dreams, remain strong, and persevere during their ceremony on Sunday.
Families, friends, and faculty gathered in the high school gym to honor 111 graduates to celebrate their accomplishments despite the challenges they faced.
Speakers reminded the graduates that the obstacles they overcame over the last four years instilled in them strength and perseverance that will help them on their next journey.
The start of the graduates' high school journey was cut short due to the pandemic requiring the students to adjust to a virtual atmosphere, salutatorian Sheffield Drewry.
"This time was not easy, but every student sitting before you today showed strength in their perseverance," Drewry said.
"We made the most of uncertain times. Even though we couldn't be together, we were there in spirit."
The students not only adjusted to a pandemic but also a new school. Despite that, they are leaving behind their mark.
"Although we left the old Wahconah behind, this class truly came together to make new memories," Drewry said.
"Some of us scored the first goals, points, and baskets in the new Wahconah. Some of us were in the very first plays and musicals of the new Wahconah."
Families watched as their children quickly grew up. In a blink of an eye they reached major milestones from their first steps to getting their driver's license, Drewry said.
"We get to step into the real world to follow our dreams and pursue our goals as we once dreamed of when we were little," she said.
"As we follow our separate paths, let this be a time where you become the best version of yourself. Make your younger self proud to see who they've become."
The valedictorian speech Lucas Wildrick echoed these remarks, adding that despite the feeling of high school being never-ending, the time has flown by and the end is surreal.
"As we move forward onto this next chapter of life we are going to face challenges along the way but remember the challenges you have already overcome and embrace any hardships that may come," Wildrick said.
He reminded his peers to follow their dreams and passion, seize opportunities, and not to fear taking risks.
The struggles that each student overcame taught them valuable skills and made them resilient so they can achieve great things in life, Wildrick said.
"Whatever you may be going on to do after high school you're going to go places you've never been to and see things you might not see again," Wildrick said.
"It can be scary but we've been given the tools to succeed in our next chapter."
These graduates stand out as learners and collaborators Central Berkshire Regional Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said.
"You have put your trust in us as educators, to provide educational opportunities that will allow you to pursue what is most meaningful to each of you and what you are most passionate about. You are our North Star," Blake-Davis said.
While preparing for this year's address she reached out to some of the students to learn their hopes and dreams.
"Your responses were passionate about having a positive impact on humanity through service, creating meaningful connections and using your own life experiences as a source of strength and motivation," Blake-Davis said.
Principal Aaron Robb thanked the staff for their educating the students during the uncertain times that the pandemic and the new school transition caused.
He also thanked the students' parents and guardians and added that graduation is not for the students.
Robb told the parents and the graduates to close their eyes and think about what he said. He gave the graduates and families one last homework assignment and told them to reflect on one moment that made them proud and to share it with each other immediately after the ceremony.
Each graduate walked one by one to receive their diplomas as they were applauded by their loved ones. The graduates stood tall with diplomas in their hands and celebrated with silly string and a blast of neon orange mist.
Wahconah Regional High School Class of 2023
*National Honor Society +National Business Honor Society
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Two Men Found Guilty of Marijuana Trafficking
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, May 6, Yebin Mai, 32 of Staten Island, NY and Dem Wu, age 52 of Staten Island, NY, were found guilty by jury of their peers in Berkshire Superior Court.
Yebin Mai was found guilty of two charges: Marijuana Trafficking in 100 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds and Witness Intimidation. Dem Wu was found guilty of Marijuana Trafficking in 100 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds.
According to a report, on July 30, 2020, State Police responded to a request for assistance from the Eversource Electric Company. The emergency dispatcher stated that two Eversource linemen were attempting to fix an electrical problem when they had a confrontation with individuals at 72 Jackson Road, Savoy. The residence belonged to Bin Huang after he purchased it in 2017 for $200,000 cash.
When state troopers arrived, the linemen stated that they responded to a report from a resident at 72 Jackson Road, Savoy claiming that power was fluctuating. When the linemen arrived at the house, they observed severely damaged wires and insulators leading from the roadside poles to the residence. When the Eversource linemen approached the house a man came out to meet them. The man, later identified as Yebin Mai, spoke limited English; therefore, communication between the Eversource linemen and resident became difficult. The linemen tried to explain that they would need to turn the power off to conduct a safety check of the electric meter and surrounding electrical connections. Mai became agitated. He handed the linemen an envelope filled with money later determined to be $600. The linemen attempted to return the envelope multiple times, but Mai would not take it. The linemen decided to leave the property. They called the police and waited for them to arrive, stated a report.
A trooper and Eversource supervisor arrived on the road at the end of 72 Jackson Road's driveway. A short time later, Mai drove down the driveway and attempted to leave in a pick-up truck with New York plates. There were two other passengers in the truck, including Dem Wu.
The trooper instructed Mai to stop and turn off the truck which he obeyed. All the individuals returned to the residence so the linemen could complete their inspection.
In a police report, the following items were observed at and around the house:
4 separate electrical meters in poorly constructed boxes on the side of the house
Some melted wires and metal around the meter boxes (believed to be due to an excessive amount of energy being drawn through the wires)
Evidence of a small fire around one of the meter boxes
A smell of fresh grown marijuana (which grew once power was cut to the house and fans in the residence stopped running)
The sound of multiple fans inside the residence with no visible air ventilation system on the outside of the house
Windows with curtains drawn and boarded shut
A backyard covered in debris from a renovation, green planning pots, and large florescent light fixtures
Ring door cameras
A small path in the woods that ended in a pile of used potting soil and roots and stalks of freshly harvested marijuana plants
Additionally, Eversource reported that the monthly electric bill for 72 Jackson Road was approximately $10,000 per month, much higher than the average homeowner's bill.
The individuals on the property were questioned and ultimately allowed to leave. On July 31, 2020, Massachusetts State Police, including the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney's Office, and a member of the DEA arrived at 72 Jackson Road to execute a search warrant.
Berkshire Hills County Club is seeking a variance on its pool permit to allow for cost savings on staff members starting next year, including fewer lifeguards. click for more
Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. click for more
The seasonal road closed because of flooding caused by what was initially thought to be from a beaver dam that was located on the Pittsfield stretch.
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The Traffic Commission OK'd additional bus stops and multiple items in the former General Electric neighborhood at its first meeting of the year. click for more
Voters at the annual town meeting on Monday, May 6, will decide 22 articles, including articles on sidewalks and the authorization of a number of spending articles, including an approximate $22 million budget. click for more