BCC, like many other schools, has been forced to be creative in recognizing its graduates during the pandemic. The graduates have often put their own spin on the unusual ceremonies. See more photos here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Twenty-seven graduates of the practical nurse certificate program at Berkshire Community College and 57 associate degree in nursing graduates were recognized on Tuesday night for a combination drive-through and remote ceremony in order to observe social distancing protocols because to COVID-19.
Ann Tierney, a nursing adviser, retired nurse practitioner and professor of nursing, addressed the practical nursing students while Lynn Geldert, with a background including critical care nursing and providing clinical instruction to nursing students, addressed the associate degree program graduates in the online portion of their ceremony.
The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition, dating back before the turn of the 20th century. Traditionally, nursing students have conducted an honors or pinning ceremony to mark the passage of student nurse role to practice role. It can be an emotional event that is shared with family, friends, faculty and others important to the students' education.
On a rainy Tuesday evening, graduates in the program were invited to drive around the college's circular driveway to receive their pins, certificates and diplomas.
Graduates of the 10-month practical nursing program are eligible to sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam.
Pins and certificates were presented to the following graduates listed by town:
Cheshire: Jacqueline A. King, Shelby L. Provencher
Dalton: Carmen Y. Quinde
Great Barrington: Morgan B. Formel
Lee: Michelle A. Schleimer
Lenox: Marybelle L. Burns
Pittsfield: Ciara M. Berkeley, Jamie L. Brown, Danielle A. Collette, Holya Ebiyatakyih, Cecilia A. Ebuley, Sarah M. Engle, Anne-Marie Ezoua, Amber Hertzberg, Hahna Kim, Ama S. Koblan Epse Ngoran, Ellen Laryea, Teressa N. LeBeau, Jacqueline C. Polynice, Ernestina Sackey, Kniesha M. Tarjick
Savoy: Jennifer L. Walker
Springfield: Kadian S. Anderson, Elizabeth Twum-Barima
Westfield: Selina M. Lopez
Windsor: Jonathan R. Bailey
Lakeville, Conn.: Valencia O. Phillips
Awards were presented to the following students: Clinical Excellence Award: Sara Engle, Academic Excellence Award: Marybelle Burns, Professionalism Award: Ernestina Sackey, Spirt of Nursing Award: Jacqueline King.
The 51st annual ADN Pinning ceremony, sponsored by BCC's Student Nurse Organization, honored the following students who graduated on May 29, 2020:
Adams: Nataliya M. Houghton, Kelsy M. Nixon
Ashley Falls: Grace L. James
Clarksburg: Stephanie J. Rogers
Dalton: Courtney J. Corbett, Angelia M. Elser, Danielle. M Furlong, Elisabeth C. George, Alexi M. Liccardi, Amanda L. Nefreres, Renee M. Saville, Raegan B. Van Rumund, Shaina R. Weber
Hinsdale: Patricia A. O'Brien
Housatonic: Blythe A. Hinkley-Grady
Lanesborough: Michelle M. Gingras
Lee: Tyler V. Buratto
Leeds: Cheyenne D. Robair
Lenox: Suzanne J. Cotton
Lenox Dale: Kathryn M. Forbes
North Adams: Caitlin S. Gelineau, Nicole L. Maloney
Northampton: Ronald V. Cruz
Otis: Bryan E. Arnold
Pittsfield: Halimat O. Ahmed, Christine A. Ahoussi, Daniluz Aloyo-Hebert, Dorcas S. Archer, Michelle L. Bateman, Maribel Bednarski, Marie J. Blankson-Atte, Kortney M. Boos, Nicole M. Campos-Vasquez, Rosemary C. Carnes, Kayla J. Doyle, Alexandra M. Ely, Spencer E. Ferro, Alison E. Gregory, Amy L. Hunt, Nancy M. Klose, Jesse D. Kordana, Kelsey E. Lane, Brittany S. O'Donnell, Tomeka L. Parslow, Shila J. Vallencourt
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Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count.
The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others.
Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former Hoffmann Bird Club president and longtime Christmas Bird Count participant.
Bird watching is the most popular leisure time activity in the United States, said David Schaller, North County count compiler and a leader of Saturday's team.
"It's a way to be outside. It's a way to connect with nature. It's good exercise. It's good mentally — you're trying to look at a bird and figure out what kind of bird it is," he said.
"For some participants in our group, it's a family tradition that is as important to them as other Christmas traditions."
This one-day activity is far more than that for many. It introduces new participants to a wealth of knowledge in environmental and natural science and can transform into a lifelong hobby because of its vast number of topics, Tyning said.
The annual Christmas Bird Count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others. click for more
However, last week, the Clapp Park Little Sled Library's Facebook page announced that all but one of the library's 20-plus sleds were damaged or gone.
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Dalton had several controversial situations this year including a demonstration of the dilapidated police station, the suspension of a fire chief and accusations of an unexplainable debt in the Fire District. click for more
The 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks. click for more
The committee requested that the graphic designer change the font used in the "Est. 2024" text to a bolder and taller one because the selected font is barely legible.
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