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Superintendent James Brosnan presented Sunn and his family with the award at the school committee meeting on Thursday.

McCann Senior Christopher Sunn Wins Superintendents Award

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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Sunn, a senior in the school's Computer Aided Design program, is a straight-A student with a 4.4 GPA.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School student Christopher Sunn has received a certificate of academic excellence from the Mass Association of School Superintendents. 

Sunn, a senior in the school's Computer Aided Design program, is a straight-A student with a 4.4 GPA. When he graduates, Sunn plans to attend UMass Amherst, where he will study engineering. 

Superintendent James Brosnan presented Sunn and his family with the award at the school committee meeting on Thursday. 

"It's our most enjoyable and most exciting evening at our December meeting, where we are able to recognize McCann student that has been selected to receive the Massachusetts superintendent's Association Award," he said. 

Principal Justin Kratz noted several of Sunn's accomplishments at the school, including his time on the cross-country team, his participation in SkillsUSA and his gold-medal award in architectural drafting. He said Sunn and his class were just Freshman when the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

"That's a lot for kids to go through. A lot of changes, a lot of adapting. A lot of flexibility, a lot of patience," he said. "And yet, still was able to make it through on top of his class. And he did a remarkable job," he said.

Kratz also read comments submitted by several teachers about Sunn. The comments lauded him for his work ethic and participation in the classroom. 

"Through all, Chris has brought an attitude of academic excellence, as well as palpable joy to our classroom, and I'm grateful. I can foresee that the future looks bright and promising for Chris, and I'm honored to have him as a student," one teacher wrote.

"Chris exemplifies the qualities and values that the community has come to expect in the McCain student," another teacher commented. "And for this and many other reasons, we think he is the perfect choice for the superintendent's award." 

Committee Chair Gary Rivers congratulated Sunn for his hard work and accomplishments at McCann

"Only one student in each school in the Commonwealth receives such an award," he said. "You should be commended on your work ethic, your sense of purpose, and your intentional fortitude to continue working as hard as you work when, seemingly, it comes easy to you," he said. "It's a wish for all of our students, is that they live up to the talents that they were given. And you certainly have lived up to all of your talents." 

In other business, Brosnan acknowledged a letter from the Clarksburg Select Board, thanking the students from the school for their work replacing the roof on the Peter Cook Memorial Field Pavilion. 

"It was an excellent project for our students, who are only too glad to help," he said. 

  • Rivers thanked Committee Member Diane Parsons for her work on the committee. Parsons, a North Adams representative on the committee resigned from her position because she has moved to Adams. 

 


Tags: McCann,   recognition event,   

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Clarksburg Joining Drug Prevention Coalition

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has agreed to join a collaborative effort for drug prevention and harm reduction.
 
The new coalition will hire a North County community coordinator who will be headquartered on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and who oversee allocations for harm reduction, education and prevention efforts. Berkshire Health Systems has also committed about $120,000 over the next five years. 
 
Clarksburg, one of the first communities to sign on to the opioid lawsuit filed by a consortium of states several years ago, has so far received payouts of $23,594.78. It's expected to receive nearly $64,000 by the end of the 16-year payout. 
 
In October, the board had discussed whether to pool that money with other communities, expressing concerns that the small town would not receive enough benefits.
 
"Anytime there's a pooling of money I think countywide, I think we know where the bulk goes to," said member Colton Andrew said Monday. "I'm more open to the idea of keeping the money here but open to hearing your intentions and how the mony will be allocated."
 
Chair Robert Norcross said he felt there seemed to be a focus on harm reduction, such as the use of Narcan, and not enough for prevention or problem-solving.
 
But after hearing from members of the nascent coalition, members voted Monday night to partner with other Northern Berkshire communities.
 
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