AMENIA — Taking the first step toward living out into their future of wide possibilities were the 45 members of the graduating class of 2024 at their Commencement ceremony at Webutuck High School on Thursday, June 27.
A justifiable sense of pride in individual achievement was evident as well as the joy of sharing the experience with family, friends, and classmates. The weather, although breezy, was perfection for the event held under a huge tent filled to capacity. The sunset-lit view of the fields and hills to the east provided a breathtaking backdrop.
School Superintendent Raymond Castellani offered welcoming remarks, reminded of Aesop’s fable of the eagle and the crow, noting that the crow is the only species that dares to peck at an eagle. With the crow on his back pecking at his neck, the eagle ascends to a height where the air becomes too thin for the crow, ending the attack.
“Go higher to get better,” Castellani advised, urging the class to be like the eagle.
“Set goals that are beyond your reach,” said Principal Robert Knuschke, challenging the class to find something to be passionate about, something that will make the world better, and importantly, something sufficiently large that it might result in failure.
The Commencement address was delivered by Danielle Mollica, Executive Director of the Silo Ridge Community Foundation.
Mollica spoke of four virtues paving the path toward success: Honesty, Fairness, Strength and Wisdom.
“Embrace every chance to learn,” Mollica said, advising graduates not to fear failure.
“You are allowed to make mistakes,” said Salutatorian Amanda Intrieri advising the class to focus on the future, always moving forward.
Valedictorian Riley Morgan Thirlwall expressed gratitude to the school community.
“Always remember that the sky is the limit. This is just the beginning in all your stories,” Thirlwall said, urging the Class of 2024 to be prepared for challenges and embrace failures.
Following the speeches, diplomas were awarded by Principal Knuschke and Supt.Castellani.
Leila Hawken
Graduating seniors stepped briskly toward their seats at the 70th annual Commencement under a tent at Webutuck High School on Thursday, June 27.
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Exterior of the Linde Center for Music and Learning.
“We have been thrilled and humbled to see the Tanglewood Learning Institute embraced as a year-round destination for a breadth of exceptional programming, including classical, jazz and family-friendly events,” said BSO President and CEO Chad Smith. “Our 2025–26 fall, winter and spring season reflects our deepening commitment to engaging the vibrant, year-round Berkshires community and to fully exploring the potential of TLI as a space where BSO programs make thought-provoking connections between music, art and society.”
TLI is once again presenting its Chamber Concerts series on Sunday afternoons, with small ensembles of BSO musicians performing familiar favorites and classic mainstays, as well as new music by contemporary composers. There are upcoming chamber concerts scheduled for Feb. 22, March 8 and March 15.
Interior of the Linde Center for Music and Learning.Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO
New this season is the TLI Jazz series, which continues March 20 with the Sullivan Fortner Trio, led by Grammy Award-winning artist and educator Sullivan Fortner, whose eponymous ensemble won the 2024 DownBeat Critics Poll for Rising Jazz Group. “Soul-sax sensation” Nick Hemp brings his free-blowing blend of “barroom excitement and modern jazz finesse” for a rousing night of soul jazz April 10. Rounding out the jazz series, and back by popular demand, is Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and singer Jumaane Smith, who brings his repertoire of jazz and American Songbook standards to the Linde Center on May 9.
Another season highlight comes April 12 with an animated live concert screening of the 3D stop-motion adventure film “Magic Piano.” Produced by the Academy Award-winning BreakThru Films production company in Poland, the film will be accompanied by a screening of “The Chopin Shorts,” a collection of animated films set to Chopin’s etudes, performed by pianist Derek Wang.
All performances take place in Studio E, the Linde Center’s 4,000-square-foot multiuse room that serves as TLI’s main performance and event space. It features retractable seating, acoustic and technical systems, flexible configurations, and is accessible and comfortable for all patrons.
The entire Linde Center for Music and Learning is worth a visit in itself. The complex, which also includes the informal Cindy’s Cafe (seasonal) for a quick bite, is conceived not as a single building but as a cluster of pavilion-like spaces connected by an outdoor covered walkway and arranged around a century-old red oak tree. The center promotes a welcoming and serene sense of place and continuity with the rolling Tanglewood lawn and surrounding woodlands.
Smith said, “This ongoing work is also a passion project for our musicians, who form deep ties to the area and are eager to remain active in the Berkshires beyond the summer months. We look forward to welcoming new and returning audiences to experience all that TLI offers — all year long.”
The Tanglewood Learning Institute is located at 3 W. Hawthorne Road, Lenox, Mass. For more information and to purchase tickets,
visit bso.org/tli.
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
