BMC Announces Kermit Gordon Scholarships

PITTSFIELD — The Kermit Gordon Scholarships were recently awarded by Berkshire Medical Center to 10 Berkshire County students enrolled in medicine, dentistry, nursing at the advanced degree level, pharmacy, or health science programs. Through the continued support and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Gordon — longstanding donors to Berkshire Medical Center — the Berkshire County students selected this year were awarded $1,000 scholarships to begin or continue their education in the health care field.
The scholarships were awarded to:

• Alana Belfield, a graduate of Hoosac Valley High School and Williams College currently attending New York University School of Medicine. Belfield is pursuing a career in Opthalmology and is the daughter of Allan and Lynda Belfield of Cheshire. This is Belfield’s third Kermit Gordon Scholarship.
• Kathryn Bernardo, a graduate of Pittsfield High School will be entering the University of Connecticut to study Pharmacy. Bernardo served as class president, class council member, tutor, chemistry Olympiad participant, and captain of both the Pittsfield High soccer and basketball teams. She is the daughter of Michael and Judith Bernardo of Pittsfield.
• Heather Consolini, a graduate of Lenox Memorial High School, will be attending Boston College this fall, studying for a degree in Nursing. Consolini earned high honors distinction for every quarter of her high school experience, and was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2002. She has served as a volunteer at Berkshire Medical Center and has tutored at Morris Elementary School. She is the daughter of Lawrence and Linda Consolini of Lenox.

• Mason Gingras, a Pittsfield High School graduate, will study Pharmacy at Northeastern University. Gingras was active in high school sports, served as senior class treasurer, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has volunteered at the Catholic Youth Center camp and serves on the youth group and as an altar server at Notre Dame Church. He is the son of Mark and Laurie Gingras of Pittsfield.
• Kristin Kellogg is entering her fourth year at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and is a past recipient of the Kermit Gordon Scholarship. Valedictorian at Wahconah High School, she is a 2001 graduate of Williams College and is interested in practicing rural medicine, possibly in the Berkshires. She is the daughter of Cheryl and Brian Kellogg of Peru.
• Jessica Lockenwitz is a graduate of Monument Mountain High School who attended her senior year in Brazil as a Rotary exchange student. She will enter Champlain College this fall to study Radiology. She has volunteered twice in a village in Haiti, has worked as a junior volunteer firefighter, and served as a Big Sister. She is the daughter of Preson and Paula Lockenwitz of West Stockbridge.
• Sarah Oboyski, a Pittsfield High School and Williams College graduate, is entering her second year as a medical student at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. A Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society student while at Williams, she was the recipient of numerous awards and has been a volunteer for the Berkshire Food Project and other organizations.
• Cristina Silva graduated from Pittsfield High School and is entering St. Rose College to study Speech Pathology. She was a member of the National Honor Society, served as a student council member at Pittsfield High, and was captain of the swim team and a gymnastics team member. She has volunteered for Special Olympics and Relay for Life, and is the recipient of the Fairfield University Book Award. She is the daughter of David and Cheryl Silva of Pittsfield.
• Kelly Walsh is attending Bay Path College, studying Occupational Therapy. She has volunteered for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and serves as a coach for younger girls on the Dalton Community Center dance team. She would like to work with children who need occupational therapy services. She is the daughter of William and Mary Walsh of Dalton.
• Christine Wood, a previous Kermit Gordon Scholar, is a graduate of Wahconah Regional High School and is attending Roberts Wesleyan College, entering her second year as a Nursing student. She has served a math tutor, volunteered with the Dalton United Methodist Youth Group, worked for Habitat for Humanity, was a peer educator, and participated on both high school and college cross-country running teams. Wood plans on working in medical rescue and would like to become a flight nurse for a major medical center. She is the daughter of Charles and Tina Wood of Peru.

The Kermit Gordon Scholarship Fund at Berkshire Medical Center was created by Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Gordon in 1985 for students with financial need who plan to enter the health care field. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, superior academic performance, commitment to a chosen field, and potential for success.