Hopkins students recognized by Junior Achievement

HADLEY — Students at Hopkins Academy in Hadley and Holyoke High School are among those recognized by Junior Achievement’s 18 Under 18 Class of 2023.

Eleventh graders Veronica Colon, who attends Holyoke High, and Tyler St. Hilaire, who attends Hopkins, earned the honors at an event at Tower Square in Springfield.

The event spotlights young people in the region exemplify innovative spirit, leadership and community involvement and featured poster board displays by the students, remarks by Tracey Alves-Lear, who chairs the board for the Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts Board Chair and Michael Sakey, a board member from Unify Against Bullying and a citation from Mayor Domenic Sarno, presented by his daughter, Cassandra Sarno, a long-time Junior Achievement supporter.

Colon is the president of her class and team captain on her high school and indoor and outdoor track teams, as well as a member of the theater club, musical department, Madrigal ensemble, chess club and garden club. A member of the Honor Society, Colon plans to pursue a degree in either politics or musical theater.

St. Hilaire is the president of the Ski Club, captain of the Golf Team and lead peer mentor, and enjoys aviation, fishing, hunting and woodworking/mechanical projects. A top archer in the youth league and a key member of the local fire department, St. Hilaire hopes to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Judy Brooks series next talk on Saturday

AMHERST — “The Intersection of Race and Climate” is the title of the next event in the Judy Brooks Conservation, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Amherst.

The talk, led by the Sunrise Movement Amherst, takes place in virtual format Saturday at 2 p.m.

Sunrise Amherst was established in May 2019 by Amherst Regional High School and Amherst College students.

To participate, go to lwvamherst.org

Odenong Powwow will be held Saturday

AMHERST — The third annual Odenong Powwow will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Amherst Regional High School.

Vendors will set up when the powwow opens, and dancing starts at noon. No admission is charged for the event.

The Odenong Powwow is an annual Native American cultural event featuring Native American singers, dancers, vendors, performers and educators

“Odenong” is an Ojibwe word for community with “where hearts gather” being an approximate translation.

Justin Beatty, a spokesman for the event, said the Amherst Cultural Council provided a $7,000 grant for the event that highlights Indigenous culture, honoring the talents, gifts, wisdom and knowledge of the cultural artists and entrepreneurs.

“We are truly grateful for our growing friends and neighbors who appreciate the gravitas of holding an Indigenous led event in a location named after someone who wanted to erase us,” Beatty said.

Families with Power scholarship celebration

FLORENCE — Families with Power will award its 2023 scholarship winners in a gathering June 12 from 7-8 p.m. at the Florence Civic Association, 90 Park St., in Florence.

The program supports the educational goals of high school graduates, young adults and parents/guardians who have participated in Families with Power programs and who have financial need.

Thanks to the support of community donors, the organization will continue to support its 2023 scholarship winners as well as the new scholars.

For more information, and if you would like to donate to the Scholarship Fund, contact familieswithpower@gmail.com.

Plainfield Pond Paddle

PLAINFIELD — Join ecologists and naturalists Patricia Serrentino and Alex Haro for a paddle around Plainfield Pond on Sunday, June 4, from 9-11 a.m., in search of the plants, birds, fish, and other animals that reside in and around the pond. Binoculars and polarized sunglasses will be helpful but not required, life jackets are required, and insect repellent is strongly suggested.

Participants need to bring their own canoe or kayak. Due to very limited parking, people are asked to carpool. Registration will be first-come basis.

To sign up, email: ediesh82346@gmail.com, simply write:

“I wish to join the June 4th Paddle” and answer the following questions: name(s), phone number(s) and email address(es). Also say whether you will bring one or two boats, whether you can load two boats on your car, and whether you are willing to accommodate someone else’s boat on your car? Questions? Email Edie Heinemann at ediesh82346@gmail.com

Meet at 8 a.m. at Home Depot on Route 2 in Greenfield to carpool with boats, expecting to arrive at Plainfield Pond about 9 or 9:15. This event is free and heavy rain cancels.

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