BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Nursing Graduates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for 40 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Robert Boland Theatre on the main campus.  
 
The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words "To travel hopefully."   
 
Five graduates received awards:  
 
Marcia Bailey received the Academic Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the ADN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in nursing. This award recognizes the student’s hard work and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of nursing knowledge.  
 
MacKenzie Muzzulin received the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to a student who performs exemplary delivery of nursing skills in the clinical setting. This award recognizes the role of advocacy in nursing by promoting compassionate and holistic patient-centered care.  
 
Cortney Provenzano received the Professionalism in Nursing Award, which is presented to a student who is committed to high quality patient care, and who also serves as a role model for teamwork and collaboration. The award recognizes the importance of communication and critical thinking while promoting the positive image of nursing. 
 
Danna Toledo received the Berkshire Healthcare Systems Spirit of Caring Award, which is given to a graduating Associate Degree in Nursing student who best exemplifies the spirit of compassion. The recipient of this award is committed to clinical and service excellence, optimizes each patient interaction to its full potential, and shows caring and concern for patients and their families.  
 
Nodia Wright received the Bette B. Everson Memorial Nursing Award, which is given to the graduating Associate Degree in Nursing student who best exemplifies the personal characteristics of commitment, perseverance and professional growth. 
 
The ceremony honored the following Class of 2024 graduates: 
 
Connecticut 
 
Bloomfield: Symanther Grey 
 
Canaan: Marcos Irausquin 
 
Granby: Alysha Yard 
 
Norfolk: MacKenzie Muzzulin 
 
Suffield: Kristin Graeff 
 
 
Massachusetts 
 
Adams: Corrisa Regan 
 
Cheshire: Colleen McKearney 
 
Chicopee: Edwin Juma 
 
Clarksburg: Marcia Bailey, Aurie Delano, Carissa Hartman 
 
Dalton: Katie Higgins 
 
Great Barrington: Elizabeth Pevzner  
 
Hancock: Emily Condry  
 
Lanesboro: Tonya Burns, Jordan Rosier 
 
Lee: Alexandra Barnes, Alyssa Barnes, Michele Belliveau, Jennifer Donovan, Christina Tighe 
 
Lowell: Elizabeth Nazaire 
 
Pittsfield: Jaklyn Barbarotta, Bernice Cobbinah, Jocelyn Cote, Emily Greb, Rain Hajjar, Raisa Kachevsky, Elizabeth Kwaw, Madison Lamoureaux, Norah Moindi, Jennifer Phelps, Cortney Provenzano, Danna Toledo 
 
Shrewsbury: Stefan Stidsen 
 
Springfield: Auris Encarnacion, Frank Rogers, Nodia Wright 
 
West Springfield: Yuko Tasato 
 
Westfield: Leighan Toomey 
 
 
 

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Berkshire Carousel Offer Withdrawn, Volunteers Plan Reopening

By Brittany Polito

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Berkshire Carousel offer has been withdrawn, and a volunteer group plans to reopen it.

Tuesday’s City Council agenda includes withdrawing an order to accept a conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center St. (the Berkshire Carousel.) While the carousel, owned by James Shulman, opened to enthusiastic fans in 2016, it has not operated since 2018 after leadership and funding fell apart.

“On January 17, 2025, I received an email from Mr. Shulman notifying me of his withdrawal of the gift of the carousel and conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center Street,” Marchetti wrote.

“Given this set of circumstances, I no longer intend to create a committee to study the carousel project.”

The mayor’s office said it understands that Shulman is working with friends of the carousel group on other operations plans.

On Friday, iBerkshires.com received a press release from a volunteer group affiliated with the Berkshire Carousel, Inc., announcing the course's reopening in the spring.  It explains that when the volunteers learned that the ride could be revived, they began working with the Berkshire Carousel, Inc. to offer an opportunity for it to be run “By the people who love it most.”

The group reports that an opening date will be announced soon.

“We are excited to reintroduce the Berkshire Carousel to our community,” said Janet Crawford, volunteer group coordinator.

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