On Tuesday May 7th, 1Berkshire had the great pleasure of graduating the Youth Leadership Program Class of 2019, the ninth class in the program’s history, at Mazzeo’s Ristorante in Pittsfield. Having completed the entirety of this 10-month leadership program, 14 students from across The Berkshires shared the product of their collective impact project with attending family, friends, and regional leaders, and were recognized for their program completion.
For their collective impact project, the Class of 2019 chose to conduct a sustainability fair in coordination with the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market. Through their project, they engaged more than 60 people and helped educate them about ways to be more environmentally sustainable in their own lives. Additionally, the students conducted a year-long series of fundraisers, and during their graduation ceremony, they provided a check to Berkshire Children and Families in the sum of $338 to help support the meaningful work of their organization.
Students shared their own feelings about their experience in the program during their project presentation. Class of 2019 graduate Elena Crane Cuerda noted that participation in the program “has opened my eyes to many of the opportunities the Berkshires hold,” a sentiment shared by many members of the class. Please join 1Berkshire in congratulating the following participants:
Adam Boscarino of Monument Mountain Regional High School
Alex Morin of Mount Greylock Regional High School
Aliyah Heideman of Pittsfield High School
Allison Henderson of Pittsfield High School
Alyssa Anderson of BART Charter School
Annabell Allessio of Wahconah Regional High School
Avery Price of Wahconah Regional High School
Catherine Boino of Wahconah Regional High School
Elena Crane Cuerda of Lenox Memorial High School
Emelyn Theriault of Pittsfield High School
Gwyn Smith of Pittsfield High School
JT Novitsky of Lenox Memorial High School
Madison Tatro of Drury High School
Szofia Lewis of Pittsfield High School
Program Director Ben Lamb noted in his remarks that these students “are the future of the Berkshires, and beyond” and we are excited to see what that future looks like!
