For additional information, please contact:
Benjamin Lamb
Director of Economic Development 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance
(518) 312-6363
blamb@1berkshire.com
For Immediate Release
1Berkshire Welcomes Youth Leadership Class of 2022-2023
Berkshire County, MA – April 13th, 2022 – 1Berkshire is excited to welcome its 12th class into the updated and relaunched Berkshire Youth Leadership Program! This group of 32 rising high school juniors from across the Berkshires were selected through a competitive application process to begin a year-long leadership development program that kicks off in June 2022 with a three-day, three-night retreat to be held at the newly-renovated Camp Arrow Wood.
With participants from across the Berkshires, this year’s class brings a wide breadth of experiences, backgrounds, and potential to this program. The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is focused on helping students in our region develop and grow through career opportunity awareness, leadership skill development, and the design and completion of a 10-month-long collective-impact project focused on positively impacting the Berkshires. Selected students have shown a significant capacity to grow their leadership skills and a strong desire to have a positive impact on their communities.
Over the next 12 months, these 32 students will convene at locations all around the Berkshires to participate in workshops, have meaningful group dialogues, learn from speakers and one another, and to develop and execute their selected collective-impact project. With a renewed focus on sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion, this year’s program will also aim to engage students in meaningful discussions that create critical reflection and new levels of self awareness as we seek to support qualities associated with global citizenry and cultural competence. Ben Lamb, Director of Economic Development at 1Berkshire, and program director of the Youth Leadership Program notes, “with the support of an engaged steering committee, a community of regional stakeholders and industry leaders, and a renewed energy and structure, we are beyond excited to be relaunching YLP with this incredible group of students” he adds “the success we have seen from past graduates of this program, and the impact they have made in their own communities is immense. We look forward to helping this incoming class continue that legacy of collective impact here in the Berkshires and out in the world.” Students in the Youth Leadership Program leave with a new group of friends from all around the county, a unique and deep understanding of career opportunities here in the Berkshires, and the pride of completing a project that has positively impacted their community.
Made possible through the financial and resource support of sponsors including Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, National Grid, NBT Bank, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Mill Town Capital, the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by 1Berkshire with the dynamic support of the volunteer Youth Leadership Program Steering Committee. Chaired by Matthew Martin of Mildred Elley, this committee is composed of professionals across the region who commit their time and expertise to develop and facilitate the monthly sessions for the class, while also offering advice to them as they look to their own futures.
The 2022-2023 Youth Leadership Class participants are:
Natalie Arnhold – Pittsfield High School
Shaun Astorino – McCann Technical High School
Nick Beckman – Lee Middle & High School
Alex Bills – Wahconah Regional High School
Mira Boyer – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Ian Bridges – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Bella Garivaltis – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Sophie Gentleman – Miss Hall’s School
Jack Goodman – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Che Guerra – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Emma Kate Hane – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Zoey Hawkins – Drury High School
Kira Johnson – Lee Middle & High School
Finn Jolly – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Kylie Knysh – Taconic High School
Bella Kotek – Lee Middle & High School
Emmett Krantz – Taconic High School
Svea Lawson – McCann Technical High School
Terra Lim – BART Charter Public School
Megan Linick – Avenues The World School
Abby Malumphy – Pittsfield High School
Cormac Mathews – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Lucy McWeeny – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Aliza Munch – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Emily Ouellette – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Amber Passetto – Wahconah Regional High School
Andrew Petropulos – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Quin Repetto – Mt. Greylock Regional High School
Audra Rock – Taconic High School
Julianna Salinovici – BART Charter Public School
Amity Santiago – Pittsfield High School
Claire Steinman – Wahconah Regional High School
About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide organization focused on economic development and promotion of the region as a preferred place to visit, to live, to work, and to grow a business. It provides programs that connect businesses with each other and with potential customers, as well as works to develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.
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