Pittsfield UNICO Awards 2024 Scholarships

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Chapter of UNICO National held its scholarship awards ceremony on July 23 at the Italian American Club. 
 
Since 1987 UNCO has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to students from Berkshire County high schools. The UNICO Scholarship Committee, chaired by Julia Salatino, awarded $19,000 in scholarships this year to local high school graduates who are continuing their postsecondary education.
 
Scholarship Recipients
 
Alexandra Bills of Wahconah Regional High School received the the Gloria Powers Scholarship. The daughter of Mark and Teresa Bills, she will be attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's Isenberg School of Management.
 
Dominic Carnevale of Mount Greylock Regional School received the Richard Rilla Scholarship. The son of Alaina Moresi and Justin Carnevale, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Katarena Castagna of Pittsfield High School received the Francis Fazio Scholarship. The daughter of Krystal and Tony Castagna, she will be attending Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
 
Jake Duquette of Pittsfield High received the Honorable Rudolph Sacco Scholarship. The son of Christopher and Alysia Duquette, he will be attending Fairfield (Conn.) University.
 
Kailynne Errichetto of Taconic High School received the Edward DiAngelo Scholarship. The daughter of Stephen and Ashley Errichetto, she will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Olivia Gamberoni of Wahconah Regional received the Francis Sanginetti Scholarship. The daughter of Patrice and Anthony Gamberoni, she will be attending UMass at Amherst's Isenberg School of Management.
 
John Pignatelli of Lenox High School received the Honorable Paul E. Perachi Scholarship. The son of Shannon Miller and Scott Pignatelli, he will be attending UMass at Boston.
 
Christian Salzarulo of Taconic High School received the Joseph Bonaquisti Scholarship. The son of James and Gina Salzarullo, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Nico Sondrini of Pittsfield High received the Louis Shogry Scholarship. The son of Peter and Tracy Sondrini, will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Ava Telladira of Pittsfield High received the Ralph DiBlasis Scholarship. The daughter of James and Diana Telladira, she will be attending UMass at Boston.
 
Kaeleigh Tornicelli of Taconic High received the James DiSimoni Scholarship. The daughter of Kimbery Tornicelli, she will be attending Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.
 
Nevaeh Williams of Taconic High received the Mario DiMartino Scholarship. Her guardian is Lori Cook and she will be attending Fitchburg State University.
 
Cameron Williamson of Pittsfield High received the Robert Quattrochi Scholarship. The son of Wesley and Jena Williamson, he will be attending Berkshire Community College.
 
Baseball/Softball Hall of Fame Scholarships
 
Daniella Barry of Wahconah High, daughter of Gregory and Lynn Barry, will be attending Pennsylvania State University.
 
Ashton Bock of Pittsfield High, son of Phil and Nadia Bock, will be attending Siena College.
 
Nicholas Brindle of Pittsfield High, son of Paul and Laurie Brindle, will be attending St. Joseph's College.
 
Caleb Petruzella of Taconic High, son of Denise Petruzella, he will be attending Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y.
 
Vocational/Technical Scholarships
 
Damaris Escalon-Brizuela of Taconic High received the Sheriff Thomas Bowler Scholarship. The son of Douglas Escalon and Maria Bruzcela, he will be attending Westfield State University.
 
Anthony Fiorini, also of Taconic High, received the John Pignatelli Scholarship. The son of Matt Fiorini, he will be attending McCann Technical School in North Adams. 

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BCC Celebrates 10 Years of Medical Coding, HIM Program

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

BCC President Ellen Kennedy says she was excited to overhear two graduates who 'raved' about the program at a dentist's office. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College's Medical Coding and Health Information Management Program has seen around 150 graduates since its inception in 2014.

Many have found the career path to be rewarding and accessible, as Berkshire County residents can work for top medical institutions remotely.

Ann Marie Perry said her life since her 2015 graduation has seen a constant upward and positive trajectory, being transformed both professionally and personally. She now works as a data quality specialist for Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital in Boston.

"Had you asked me 10 years ago whether that would have ever been in the realm of what I thought was possible for myself, I assure you, the answer would have been a resounding 'no,'" Perry said.

"Berkshire Community College and this distinguished HIM program made what seemed like the impossible possible and for that, I'm forever grateful."

Staff members, students, and graduates gathered at BCC's Connector area on Thursday to mark one decade of the program and honor those who paved the way for it. Last year, Medical Coding earned a national Professional Certificate Approval Program accreditation.

College President Ellen Kennedy said they convened in a "joyful celebration" of the program and the opportunities it has provided to students and their families as well as medical practices.

Aimed to provide a seamless transition to employment, it is an educational partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, the college's Division of Workforce Development and Community Education, and the Division of Science and Business.

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