Memories, and some misty eyes, marked the unveiling of the Wall of Recognition at Mount Greylock Regional High School Thursday, part of the school’s 40th anniversary celebration.
Longtime artist in residence teacher, now retired, John Maziarz said “It’s great to be appreciated.â€
“I am certainly flattered and honored,†said Maziarz, adding, “the people I worked with made me look good.â€
“Maze,†as he was known affectionately by the students, founded the school’s gallery, called “Half Dozen or So.†His paintings prominently feature aspects of the Berkshire landscape.
Maziarz, who taught at Mt. Greylock from 1961 to 1999, is one of 13 individuals — eight teachers, one custodian, one administrator, and three School Committee members — honored for their enduring contributions to the school.
The son of the late Dr. William R. Clark, who taught history and was principal from 1961 to 1985, said, “I think he would be very honored that the school has given him this recognition.
“The school was everything to my father,†said William R. Clark Jr., who lives in New Ashford.
“It’s wonderful. It’s very, very nice,†said Clark, who like several of the honorees, was visibly moved.
His father, said Clark, would be “very proud.â€
His father’s citation reads, “Dr. William R. Clark was Mr. Mount Greylock. Throughout his years as coach, teacher, and principal, he was a friend and counselor to students. ... [He] worked tirelessly to build morale and to maintain high standards.â€
Francis E. McSweeny, who taught mathematics at Mt. Greylock from 1963 to 1996, said “It’s lovely, very lovely. It’s humbling.â€
McSweeny’s citation reads, “Frank’s obvious enjoyment of the beauty and structure of mathematics sparked a love for the discipline in innumerable students.â€
McSweeny, a devotee of theater, directed and appeared in faculty plays and, his citation reads, “brought many of Mt. Greylock’s annual student musicals to glorious fruition.â€
Mitchie Backiel, who taught science from 1961 to 1998, said he is “in good company.â€
“It’s quite an honor.â€
“I was here from the very beginning,†said Backiel, “with the greatest faculty that was ever put together.â€
His citation praises Backiel for motivating his students, whether AP scholars or slow learners. “Mitchie offered all his students an exceptional experience in science: to be willing to risk error by experimentation, to make insightful correlations, and to reach for a clear understanding of systems.â€
Richard D. Dodds, who taught English from 1962 to 1998, said the recognition is “very touching and well-deserved for the people all around me who were at Mt. Greylock from the beginning and made it what it was.â€
Dodds’ citation praises him for infusing “into his students his love of the language; they looked deeper, read closer, and chose their words more carefully than they might for someone else.â€
Also present for the ceremony was Maurice Filler, guidance counselor from 1961 to 1984, whose citation praised his “profound ... and salutary influence on the young Mt. Greylock ... Maurie was, above all, humane — a gentle and caring person who treated everyone as a valued individual.â€
And Mark S. Gold, a member of the School Committee from 1990-98, whose citation praised him for bringing “a spirit of collaboration†to the committee.
“He was able to join faculty and committee members together on common ground after many years of tension and disagreements. He accomplished this because all parties saw him as principled, fair, and caring.â€
Gold’s citation also recognized his creation of the district’s endowment, the SEE Fund, which continues to be a major legacy for the district, helping it sustain educational excellence for all students.
Ferman Turner, custodian from 1961 to 1984, now living in the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, was unable to attend the ceremony. Turner was recognized for “honesty, dignity and kindness ... Ferman never believed that there was a ‘bad’ boy or girl and Mt. Greylock. Some, perhaps, were ‘mischievous’ or were found where they should not have been, but he always viewed such students with gracious good humor.â€
“For 24 years, the students and graduates of Mt. Greylock were Ferman’s children and friends, and he was their faithful supporter.â€
Turner is also known locally for donating his Simonds Road family home to the local American Legion Post No. 152, whose members created the Turner House Living Center for Veterans.
Mt. Greylock Superintendent Mark Piechota said Mt. Greylock’s Wall of Recognition is unusual for including descriptive citations and photographs, as well as just names.
“The prose descriptions try to capture the essence of their contributions,†said Piechota. Eight of the 13 honorees are still living, and five of those eight were present at Thursday’s unveiling.
Other honorees are, school committee members Bruce Carlson and John McGowen, and teachers Guy Dushanek, Paul LaPlante and Edna Lunney.
The district started soliciting nominations for the wall two years ago. The honorees were chosen by a selection committee composed of alumni, former and current teachers, and administration, and a school committee member.
Piechota noted that Thursday’s event was the wall’s inauguration. Two years from now, additional individuals will be honored, he said.
Maziarz would like to see junior high school teachers included.
“They should be considered for the future,†said Maziarz. “They prepared the kids that we taught.â€
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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