1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Grace Towler

What town/city do you live in: North Adams

Where do you work and what is your title: General Dynamics Mission Systems - Systems Engineering Intern

What was your favorite subject in school: Math

What do you like to do for fun: I like to read, travel, hang out with friends, and hang out with my dog, Tuna.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: I love to go to the Clark Art. I take photos there and I enjoy the outside space.

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership means opportunity, effective communication, and the chance to work with people with different ideas.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: My mom, Jennifer Towler, is someone I look up to as a leader. She works hard and can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. She shows me the importance of hard work. She takes every opportunity to build her skills so that she can teach her 8th graders effectively and help them to learn more about civics.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I am excited to see what projects the students can accomplish and how they will group as individuals and as a team.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope they learn how many opportunities and connections that can be offered to them in Berkshire County.

What is a goal you have for the future: My goal is get my Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Vera de Jong

What town/city do you live in: North Adams

Where do you work and what is your title: Housekeeper at TOURISTS and Motel/Serving Assistant at The Barn Williamstown

What was your favorite subject in school: Psychology

What do you like to do for fun: Run, hike, swim, and spend time with family/friends.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Walking at Mount Hope/behind the Clark.

What does "leadership" mean to you: To me, leadership means being willing to help others before yourself and leading by example to reach a common goal.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: A leader that I look up to is my friend Kate Swann. She is a junior at Williams College, but before that we went to high school together and she was the captain of my cross country and track and field teams. Her ability to connect different groups of people in a selfless manner is incredibly inspiring to me, and she is an amazing leader as well as a great friend! I hope to lead like her in future leadership positions: focusing on the needs of the group rather than one's individual needs.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I am looking forward to watching the YLP class of 2025 learn more about themselves and their peers so that they might grow into great leaders.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope that students learn that they are capable of more than they might think, and tapping into their invidious skills is vital to helping a group.

What is a goal you have for the future: For my personal future I want to slow down and appreciate my last year of high school by spending more time with my family and friends.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Kathleen (Kat) Toomey

What town/city do you live in: Becket

Where do you work and what is your title: Youth Program Specialist, MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board

What was your favorite subject in school: English in high school; Anthropology in college!

What do you like to do for fun: Outdoor activities including hiking, camping, biking, and swimming.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Mountain biking in and around Kennedy Park in Lenox.

What does "leadership" mean to you: To me, leadership is as much about stepping back as stepping up. Leaders aren't always the loudest in the room, and sometimes the loudest people are the most uninformed. To me, forging your own path, listening respectfully to others, and staying humble are important traits in a leader.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: A leader I look up to is my work supervisor and friend, Heather Shogry-Williams. She works incredibly hard and has mobilized an entire community of people to get behind career development education for students. She does that by sticking to her word, listening to others, and adjusting plans when needed. All of those things are easier said than done.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: This year I'm excited for the students to learn from each other and the classes that came before them!

What do you hope students learn from YLP: That Berkshire County is a vibrant place to live and work. That doesn't mean staying in Berkshire County forever (if you don't want to) - but if you want to stay, you'll have a great time (even if others say you won't). And if you want to stay for a little while, or come back after being away - please do it! There are many viable and interesting career paths here.

What is a goal you have for the future: To finish my Master's degree in Public Administration at UMASS Amherst.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Arthur Millet

What town/city do you live in: Williamstown, MA

Where do you work and what is your title: Student at Mount Greylock Regional High School

What was your favorite subject in school: Geometry and physics

What do you like to do for fun: Run, bike, play piano, hang out with friends, play board games, and draw.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: MASS MoCA

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership is to help guide others to complete a certain goal.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I am looking forward to playing a role in helping this year's class work on their project and prepare for their post-secondary plans as well as see how another group of juniors goes through the program now that I have completed it!

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope the upcoming classes learn what it's like to work on a project with a big group, get a general idea of various economic sectors, see ideas from different perspectives, and become better communicators.

What is a goal you have for the future: One goal I have is to better communicate ideas to other people. Often when I brainstorm something myself and then present it to other people, I often struggle to figure out a way to say it in a way that inexperienced people will understand and be significant to them.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Heaven Raab

What town/city do you live in: Lanesborough

Where do you work and what is your title: Registered Nurse, Berkshire Medical Center

What was your favorite subject in school: Science

What do you like to do for fun: Be home with my family, play with my 2 dogs, and bring them hiking/swimming. I love to raise chickens!

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: We are so lucky to have such beautiful surroundings so I love to spend my time paddleboarding on the lakes, taking the dogs for a swim, or hiking the trails.

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership to me is leading by example. It is easy enough to promote change, but it is entirely another to participate in the transformation and help lead others towards that change.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: My favorite thing about the program is watching the students come together as one and watch their transformations.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: My hope is the students take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way this year and to take those leaps into their future!

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Mia McCluskey

What town/city do you live in: Pittsfield

Where do you work: High Lawn Farm and Frankie’s Restaurant

What was your favorite subject in school: English

What do you like to do for fun: Read, run/go to gym, and get coffee with friends.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Get ice cream at High Lawn Farm.

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership is listening and leading others to a goal or mission.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: A leader that I look up to is my mom. She knows when she needs to put others over herself and knows when to put herself over others. She is a very strong leader and mother.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Learning more about the industries within the Berkshires while listening and sharing all of our ideas.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope students learn what it’s like to work together and work towards a goal, as well as learning more about what the Berkshires has to offer.

What is a goal you have for the future: In the future, I hope to compete at the Division 3 level for track and field.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Quinn Burnell

What town/city do you live in: Lee

Where do you work and what is your title: Founder/Executive Producer at Burnell Entertainment Ventures

What was your favorite subject in school: Biology

What do you like to do for fun: I love to spend time running, seeing concerts and shows, and spending time with my family.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Tanglewood is the place to be!

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership is having the ability to look at the bigger picture, and understand and analyze how we can use other’s strengths for the common good.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: My mentor, Jack, who is currently the tour manager of “Back to the Future” took a chance on me when I was young, and has helped me build my career into what it is today.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Looking forward to seeing everyone really flourish in their own capacities.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: That the opportunity really is endless. If you put your mind and heart to something, you have the power to make it happen!

What is a goal you have for the future: To visit every country in the world!

Congratulations to YLP Class of 2020 alumni Andrew King on graduating from Lever, Inc.'s Berkshire Interns program! Way to go, Andrew!

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Lisa Laramy

What town/city do you live in: Dalton

Where do you work and what is your title: Education Specialist II RN, Berkshire Health Systems

What was your favorite subject in school: Anatomy & physiology

What do you like to do for fun: Mountain bike, downhill ski, hike, and live music/concerts.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Skiing at Bousquet.

What does "leadership" mean to you: A leader inspires and connects people with a shared vision, and harnesses the talents of everyone on their team to realize that vision. They lead with action and attitude vs. words and credentials.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: Junko Tabei - First woman to summit Everest and also climbed the 7 summits on every continent. She established the first women's mountaineering club in the late 60's to inspire women that they too can climb big mountains.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Seeing how these experiences inspire our student group and hearing students perspectives on things. Each generation sees things differently and I find that so interesting.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: Opening yourself to new experiences and getting out of your comfort zone is the path to personal growth and finding yourself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes!

What is a goal you have for the future: I want to become an Adirondack 46er - I’m almost halfway to my goal of summiting 46 peaks over 4000 feet! I’m also working on my carving to get faster on my skis!

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program!

What is your name: Madison Digrigoli

What town/city do you live in: Lenox

Where do you work and what is your title: Alumna Steering Committee Member

What was your favorite subject in school: My two favorite school subjects are science and English.

What do you like to do for fun: Fun to me is being active whether it’s skiing or soccer, the sports I play competitively, or something like pickleball and golf I play for fun with friends.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: My favorite place to go in Berkshire County would be to the movies with friends. I also enjoy going for hikes with friends on the beautiful hiking trails.

What does "leadership" mean to you: To me, leadership means being a role model for others to look up to while simultaneously guiding others to be most successful at their goal.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: A leader I look up to is my mom. She inspires me so much because she has a leadership role as a female in a male-dominated environment. She works hard and perseveres through challenges while keeping a smile on her face.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I am most looking forward to being a leader for the kids entering this program. Now having gone through the program myself, I feel I could definitely help others find their way and get the most out of the program.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope students learn more about themselves and really find the confidence to put themselves out there to make an impact in the community and other people's lives as well.

What is a goal you have for the future: A goal I have for the future is to positively impact students' YLP experience.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name? Ciana Barnaba

What town/city do you live in? Sheffield, MA

Where do you work and what is your job title? Community Relations & Resource Development Manager, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

What was your favorite subject in school? Art, Sociology, and Creative Writing.

What do you like to do for fun? Run/hike, cook and share meals with friends, enjoy live music.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County? I love visiting all the farmers markets across Berkshire County, as well as finding new hiking trails.

What does "leadership" mean to you? To me leadership is about active listening and making sure everyone has space to share their thoughts/ideas/questions. Also, leadership to me means being brave and stepping outside my comfort zone - whether it's in my professional or personal life, and especially when it's for a cause that helps lift up others.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year? Getting to know this new class! And introducing this year’s class to what local food and agriculture looks like in the Berkshires, with the hope they learn something new.

What do you hope students learn from YLP? I hope the students in YLP this year learn something new and or unexpected about the Berkshires. As well as learn more about their own leadership style, and how to use that as a strength when working with others different from them.

What is a goal you have for the future? Run a marathon in 2024!

We're thrilled to officially welcome our class of 2025! Click through to read about them and their retreat, which kicked off this year's program!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1Berkshire Welcomes Youth Leadership Program Class of 2025 - 1Berkshire 1Berkshire is excited to welcome its 13th class into the Berkshire Youth Leadership Program! This group consists of 29 rising juniors.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Micaela Scapin

What town/city do you live in: Adams

Where do you work and what is your job title: Enrollment Counselor, Berkshire Community College

What was your favorite subject in school: English

What do you like to do for fun: Go to the gym and hike with my dogs

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: I love to go to the Wigwam.

What does "leadership" mean to you: It means a lot of things: Responsibility, commitment, empathy, communication, positive attitude, and leading by example.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: My dad, he is always taking responsibility, communicating to the best of his ability, and trying his best to be the best role model.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Getting to know each of the students and watching the positive impact they make on the community.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope they learn to be supportive of one another, build genuine and lasting relationships, and learn how to better support our community.

What is a goal you have for the future: My goal is to always be a friendly presence and supportive person throughout Berkshire County.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Hari Stephen Kumar

What town/city do you live in: Williamstown

Where do you work and what is your job title: Owner, Wyvern Coaching LLC

What was your favorite subject in school: Physics! The textbook used storytelling for homework!

What do you like to do for fun: Cycling, and learning to fly.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Cycling around the area (trying to find a group ride, and hoping to cycle up Greylock some day!).

What does "leadership" mean to you: Motivating people to become a team that is greater than the sum of individual talents.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: Pam Victor, founder and Head of Happiness of Happier Valley Comedy School in Hadley, Massachusetts. Pam embodies generosity and kindness in the use of improv to build and grow a community of joy and play. She leads through hope and joy, and inspires me to listen a lot more closely to others.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Learning about the Berkshires alongside the students!

What do you hope students learn from YLP: The key skill of close listening as a leader.

What is a goal you have for the future: Successfully launch my business.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Alexandra Bills

What town/city do you live in: Pittsfield

Where do you work and what is your job title: Waitress/Lifeguard - Country Club of Pittsfield, Berkshire Lake Camp, City of Pittsfield

What was your favorite subject in school: Science

What do you like to do for fun: I love boat days, traveling, swimming, and shopping.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: My favorite thing to do is to go boating on Onota Lake.

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership means taking charge accordingly while still being kind to others.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: A leader that I look up to is Reese Witherspoon. She is a very kind, professional business woman who uses skills and kindness to guide her through life.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I am most looking forward to meeting new people and encountering new experiences.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope they learn how to network and talk professionally with business leaders. I also hope they can engage with others in the community and learn how to make Berkshire County a better place.

What is a goal you have for the future: A goal I have for the future is graduate college with honor level grades and to land an internship in Boston.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Jennifer Connor Shumsky

What town/city do you live in: Great Barrington

Where do you work and what is your job title: Greylock Federal Credit Union - Asst VP Community Support and Events

What was your favorite subject in school: Psychology

What do you like to do for fun: Visit my children and travel.

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Tanglewood

What does "leadership" mean to you: Bringing a group of people successfully through a project with everyone involved.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: Michelle Obama, a powerful leader and caring human.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Getting to know all the participants.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: To inspire curiosity and what a great place the Berkshires are!

What is a goal you have for the future: Reinvent myself!

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Dr. Emmanuel Bile

What town/city do you live in: Pittsfield MA

Where do you work and what is your job title: President/Cofounder, Choices Mentoring Initiative

What was your favorite subject in school: English Literature

What do you like to do for fun: Listening to reggae music

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Work with youth

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership, to me, means inspiring and guiding others toward a common goal through vision, empathy, and action.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: I admire Nelson Mandela for his unwavering commitment to justice, reconciliation, forgiveness, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and moral courage in the face of adversity, and inspiring unity and positive change.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Being present for any support needed.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: In a leadership program, I hope youth learn the importance of integrity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience in inspiring and guiding others toward positive change.

What is a goal you have for the future: Transform Choices Mentoring Initiative into a five-day after-school program catering to youths aged 10 to 17, fostering personal development and mentorship opportunities.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of this year’s class!

What is your name: Benjamin Atwood

What town/city do you live in: Troy, NY

Where do you work and what is your title: Commercial Banking Account Representative, NBT Bank

What was your favorite subject in school: English

What do you like to do for fun: Golf, Hiking, Guitar, Cooking, Reading

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Exploring new hiking trails or getting out for a round of golf.

What does "leadership" mean to you: Leadership is the skill/ability to motivate and guide others to achieve a shared goal.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: I've always had an admiration for President Kennedy and his quote "Ask not what your country can do for you-- ask what you can do for your country." To me, that quote highlights an essential facet of leadership-- selflessness. In my mind, a leader should lead by example, being at the forefront of any pursuit they embark on. They should lead not out of the hope of achieving some sort of public recognition for their efforts, but because they truly want to see change come about.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: I'm looking forward to group project time. It's amazing watching the students come together to figure out how they're going to tackle their capstone project, leveraging everyone's strengths and creating something spectacular that will benefit the entire county.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: I hope everyone makes a conscious choice to get out of their comfort zones and try something new. I believe that's an essential part of personal growth, and it makes you a better leader in the long run.

What is a goal you have for the future: I'm hoping to participate in the Berkshire Leadership Program, which is the adult version of the YLP.

Each year we highlight the students of our Youth Leadership Program. This year, in the leadup to our Meet the Class posts for the Class of 2025, we want to highlight the individuals who make this program possible by putting in critical work behind the scenes.

Meet the Steering Committee of the Youth Leadership Program! Check back regularly to learn more about the rest of the Committee.

What is your name: Bill Ballen

What town/city do you live in: Pittsfield

Where do you work and what is your title: Coordinator of Professional Development at BERK12

What was your favorite subject in school: Geography

What do you like to do for fun: Tennis

What is your favorite thing to do/place to go in Berkshire County: Tanglewood

What does "leadership" mean to you: Forward thinking, helping to support others in looking at the "big picture" and working collectively to solve problems.

Who is a leader that you look up to? What is it about them as a leader that inspires you: Local entrepreneurs who aren't afraid to take a risk to make things happen.

What are you most looking forward to during the program this year: Getting to know the participants and supporting their community project.

What do you hope students learn from YLP: How to work effectively as a team.

What is a goal you have for the future: Continue to leave a positive memory when I am no longer around.