For additional information, please contact:
Kevin Pink, Deputy Director of Economic Development / YLP Co-Director
1Berkshire Strategic Alliance
(413) 499-1600
kpink@1berkshire.com
For Immediate Release
1Berkshire Welcomes Youth Leadership Program Class of 2025
Berkshire County, MA – July 29, 2024 – 1Berkshire is excited to welcome its 13th class into the Berkshire Youth Leadership Program! This group of 29 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 June with a three-day, two-night retreat held at Camp Chimney Corners.
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 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 9 months, these 29 students will convene at locations all around the region to participate in workshops, engage in meaningful group dialogues, 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 co-director of the Youth Leadership Program notes, “During this year’s kick-off retreat, our students began to build connections and think about how their individual learning and communication styles interact.” He adds, “We are thrilled to embark on another wonderful year in which our students will learn about career opportunities and resources available to them here in the Berkshires, as well as designing and executing 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 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, 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 2024-2025 Youth Leadership Class participants are:
Natalie Aldrich – Wahconah Regional High School
Sophie Alsmaan – Wahconah Regional High School
Lauren Bridges – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Lilianna Choque – BART Charter Public School
Nyla Dion – Hoosac Valley Regional High School
Athan Dungey – Wahconah Regional High School
Nyx Hall – BART Charter Public School
Autumn Higa – Monument Mountain Regional High School
Charlie Keator – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Isla Kirchner – Pittsfield High School
Ellen Klepetar – Pittsfield High School
Maddy Kotek – Lee High School
Kiera Kristensen – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Sophia LaMalfa – Pittsfield High School
Brooklynn Lamke – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Sarah Leedham – BART Charter Public School
Connor McCormack – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Audrianna Pelkey – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Isabella Pereira – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Maddie Powell – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Kylah Rivard – BART Charter Public School
James Smith – Pittsfield High School
Francesca Stanmeyer – Monument Mountain Regional High School
Sadie Suters – Monument Mountain Regional High School
Jo Tessier – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Charlotte Towler – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Ben Westlake – Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
Mateo Whalen-Loux – Mount Greylock Regional High School
Nina Wied – Mount Greylock 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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