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Lenox, Williamstown Students Name State Snowplows

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BOSTON — The state Department of Transportation has selected snowplow names submitted by students at Morris Elementary and Pine Cobble schools.
 
They were among the 12 winning classrooms for the third annual "Name A Snowplow" contest for elementary and middle school students.
 
Katie Simonelli's second-grade class at Morris in Lenox offered the name "Snowana" and Jeff Uhas' fifth grade at Pine Cobble in Williamstown submitted "Ice Ice Baby."
 
The names will be applied to trucks in District 1, headquartered in Lenox. 
 
"This contest is a great way for schools across the state to connect with the crews who work tirelessly to keep our roads clear each winter," said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "Thank you to everyone who took part in this contest, and congratulations to our winners." 
 
Last year, fourth-graders at Crosby Elementary School in Pittsfield named a truck "Flurry Fighter" and sixth-graders at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School in Shelburne Falls came up with "Sled Zeppelin."
 
The contest this year received entries from classrooms located across Massachusetts to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows within the six districts that will be in service during this 2024/2025 winter season. The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season.? 
 
One name each is selected from submissions from kindergarten through Grade 4 and from Grades 5 through 8.
 
"Maintaining safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy task. We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this fun competition that honors this vital public service," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to seeing your snowplows out in the field." 
 
Besides District 1, the winners are listed below.  
 
District 2
 
K-4: "Control-Salt-Delete," Kathleen Koonz's kindergarten at Swift River School in New Salem
 
Grade 5-8: "It's Snow Problem," Tina DeLullo's Grade 6, Paul R. Baird Middle School in Ludlow 
 
District 3  
 
K-4: "Abominable Plowman," Kimberly Tremlett's fourth grade, Brophy Elementary School in Framingham 
 
Grade 5-8: "Mac N' Freeze," Abby Normandin's fifth grade, Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin
 
District 4  
 
K-4: "Snow Force One,"  Kristen Butler's kindergarten, Great Oak Elementary School in Danvers 
 
Grade 5-8: "Blizzard Buster," Gabrielle Campbell's seventh grade, North Andover Middle School 
 
District 5  
 
K-4: "Taylor Drift," Lisa Perry's first grade, Dighton Elementary School 
 
Grade 5-8: "C3P Snow," Deborah Stratton's fifth grade, St. Mary's Catholic School in Mansfield 
 
District 6  
 
K-4: "Ice S'now More," Kathleen Blaho's fourth grade,  St. Mary of the Hills School in Milton 
 
Grades 5-8: "Meltin' John," Sean Milligan's eighth grade, Manville School in Boston 

Tags: MassDOT,   snowplow,   

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Williamstown Business Focuses on Connection Through Storytelling

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Hari Kumar's goal is to help people excel at what he calls the oldest art form: story telling.
 
The engineer turned communications specialist recently struck out on his own to found Connect Convivo, which offers public speaking programs. 
 
"Convivo means with life, with joy, with warmth, like in convivial. So the idea is to help people build confidence and joy in their ability to connect," he said. "So with my background in communication, I know that communication isn't just about conveying content. 
 
"It's about building a connection, and especially in these AI driven days, people are really hungry to connect in authentic ways, and storytelling is one of the most authentic."
 
Kumar offers training and classes to help people enhance their personal and organizational speaking skills in storytelling, conversation, networking and presentations. 
 
"So public speaking, presenting customer engagement. For nonprofits, I offer classes on mission-driven storytelling. For businesses, I do customer centric storytelling," he said. "And then for the general public, it starts out with just getting up on stage and telling the story with no slides, no notes, no memorization."
 
Kumar is offering a four-week in-person storytelling series on Wednesdays starting Jan. 8 and ending with a showcase on Jan. 29. More information here; "Adventures in Storytelling" is limited to 10 people. He's also planning a virtual class on presentations and a business storytelling class in February while continuing the regular series. 
 
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