1Berkshire is excited to welcome its 14th Berkshire Youth Leadership Program class. This group of 31 rising high school juniors from across the Berkshires was selected through a competitive application process to begin a year-long leadership development program that kicked off in late May with a three-day, two-night retreat held at Camp Becket.
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 9-month-long collective-impact project focused on the betterment of 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 9 months, these 31 students will convene at locations all around the region to participate in workshops, engage in meaningful group dialogue, learn from speakers and one another, and to develop and execute their selected collective-impact project. With a 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 humility.
Kevin Pink, Deputy Director of Economic Development at 1Berkshire and Director of the Youth Leadership Program notes, “During this year’s kick-off retreat, our students connected (in most cases meeting for the first time), to begin bonding and thinking about how their individual learning and communication styles interact.” He adds, “We are thrilled to kick off another amazing year in which our students will get a deeper understanding of their Berkshire community, as well as collaboratively design and execute a project to make a positive impact here in our region and 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 in the region, 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, Berkshire Health Systems, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, NBT Bank, and Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by 1Berkshire with the dynamic support of the volunteer Youth Leadership Program Steering Committee, chaired by Julie Haagenson of New Pathways Coaching & Consulting. This committee is composed of professionals from across the region who commit their time and expertise to develop and facilitate the monthly sessions for the class, while also offering advice to the students as they look to their own futures.
The 2025-2026 Youth Leadership Class participants are:
Marlie Auger – Drury High School
Shiloh Bennet – Monument Mountain Regional High School
Zachary Berry – Taconic High School
Sunny Cart – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Reese Cook-Dubin – Pittsfield High School
Armando Coreas – Pittsfield High School
Danielle Cramer – Drury High School
Sadie Cullen – Wahconah Regional High School
Charlotte Culver – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Haydn Derby – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Leanna Driscoll – Lee Middle and High School
Sara Ehle – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Benjamin Glockner – Pittsfield High School
Lucy Grant – Wahconah Regional High School
Robyn Gregg – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Sabine Guerra – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Clara Janis – BART Charter
Cecelia Keogh – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Elizabeth Klepetar – Pittsfield High School
Anna MacPherson – Charles H McCann Technical High School
Greta Mathews – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Gabriella Nicastro – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Anna Oliva – Lee Middle and High School
Grace Radzick – Wahconah Regional High School
Brooklyn Rodriguez – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Ethan Senzel – Lenox Memorial Middle & High School
Olivia Silvernail – Hoosac Valley High School
Abe Vengalil – Pittsfield High School
Alanmichael Victor – Lee Middle and High School
Gloria Williams – Pittsfield High School
Sage Winkler – BART Charter
About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide marketing and economic development organization that works to simultaneously preserve, position, and promote Berkshire County’s profound sense of place. Its mission is to advance Berkshire County’s economy by advocating for the business community and attracting visitors. Powered by membership, 1Berkshire provides programs that connect businesses with resources and potential customers, as well as develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.