Mohawk Trail Regional School grads move on to a new beginning

Valedictorian Eliza Crowell addresses the Mohawk Trail Regional School Class of 2025

Valedictorian Eliza Crowell addresses the Mohawk Trail Regional School Class of 2025 STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

Mohawk Trail's class of 2025 exits the stage after graduating on May 30

Mohawk Trail's class of 2025 exits the stage after graduating on May 30 STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

Mohawk Trail Regional School honored the 36 graduates of the Class of 2025 in a ceremony on May 30.

Mohawk Trail Regional School honored the 36 graduates of the Class of 2025 in a ceremony on May 30. STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

Valedictorian Eliza Crowell smiles as classmates, friends and family cheer during graduation.

Valedictorian Eliza Crowell smiles as classmates, friends and family cheer during graduation. STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

Mohawk Trail graduates toss their caps into the air as confetti explodes around them

Mohawk Trail graduates toss their caps into the air as confetti explodes around them STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

Adison Crawford shakes hands with School Committee Chair Martha Thurber during the Mohawk Trail graduation

Adison Crawford shakes hands with School Committee Chair Martha Thurber during the Mohawk Trail graduation STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Staff Writer

Published: 06-02-2025 11:17 AM

BUCKLAND — For Mohawk Trail’s Class of 2025, graduation marked the end of 12 years of hard work and learning, and the beginning of their next chapter.

Mohawk Trail Regional School held its commencement ceremony on Friday, honoring 36 graduates and telling them to continue to learn, grow and achieve.

“Moving on is the only way to grow,” said Salutatorian Palmer King. “Don’t wait for permission to live your life. You only get one shot, so make it count.”

“They have finished their studies, completed test after test in subjects they chose to pursue. They’ve handed in their essays and paperwork required to receive the diploma that they so deserve. They’re finished here at Mohawk,” added commencement speaker Robert Mastorakis, who is also ending his days at MTRS and retiring from teaching math at the end of the school year. “This coincides with the word commencement, which means a beginning.”

Valedictorian Eliza Crowell told her fellow graduates that no matter how scary the changes may seem, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to, especially if they rely on their friends and the network of support they’ve built during their time at Mohawk Trail.

“You can handle pressure, you can handle stress, you can handle anxiety, and you have for the past four years. Right now we’re sitting in the middle of the biggest change facing our lives until this point. Change is undeniably scary, but everyone we love will stay with us,” Crowell said. “The foundations that we’ve built here will serve us as we go to college, joining the workforce, or learning a trade. We have options and we have people who will support us no matter what.”

The Class of 2025 will go on to do great things, said Principal Chris Buckland. Some are staying local, planning to spend a year or two at Greenfield Community College before transferring to a four-year program elsewhere. Some students are going far away, such as the Salutatorian Palmer King, who will be going to University of Miami. Some are planning to take a gap year, and others are heading to trade school and straight into the workforce. Buckland said that no matter where they end up, the graduates should be proud of their years at Mohawk Trail.

“I’m sure when you first started at Mohawk Trail, this day felt like a million miles away. Congratulations on making it to the finish line,” Buckland said. “As well as learning how to be adaptive, patient, determined and supportive of each other, it has been a pleasure to be able to appreciate your intelligence, empathy and inclusivity.”

Graduates

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Scholarships and Awards

■Carolyn Aubrey: Excellence in French.

■Alexia Bowers: Excellence in French.

■Leela Clark:Trustees of Sanderson Academy Scholarship, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship.

■Adison Crawford: The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship, Mohawk District Education Association Scholarship, Colrain Community Church Scholarship, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Area Woman’s Club Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Eagles Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarship.

■Eliza Crowell: Excellence in Calculus, Excellence in AP Calculus, Excellence in Creative Writing, Science Bronze Award, Mohawk Trail Music Association Award, Theater Award, The Thomas Merrigan Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Alex Dmejkal: Teacher’s Assistant Award.

■Adrian Grant: Science Bronze Award, Yearbook Award, Shelburne Falls Eagles Auxilary Scholarship, Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Award, The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship,Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Shelburne Falls Area Woman’s Club Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarship.

■Sophia Goodnow: Sue Atherton Endowed Scholarship Fund For Agriculture And Farming.

■Avery Hager: Excellence in Studio Art.

■Austin Parker: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Grady Patenaude: Science Bronze Award.

■Julia Patenaude: The Carol Purington Woman Of Words Scholarship, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Eagles Scholarship.

■Logan Pelletier: Excellence in Photography.

■Isabella Pettengill: Capstone Habits of Excellence, Science Bronze Award, Commonwealth Award, Charles E. White Scholarship, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Heath Ladies Aid Scholarship.

■Hannah Phillips: Alexia Phillips, Teacher’s Assistant Award, Excellence in Statistics, Excellence in English, Shelburne Falls Eagles Auxilary Scholarship, The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship, Colrain Community Church Scholarship, The Raymond And Agnes Starkey Endowed Memorial Scholarship, The Jarred Richard Bolognani Memorial Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Kiwanis Club Memorial Award, The A.K. Warner Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Chayim Mojalli: Science Gold Award, Class President.

■Logan Moore: Senior French Award for Improvement.

■Liliyana Jenks: The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Area Woman’s Club Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Eagles Scholarship.

■Avery Johnston: Excellence in Spanish, Academic Initiative, Capstone Habits of Excellence, Science Bronze Award, Yearbook Award, Peer Leadership Award,Coach Bob and Pat Hinds Scholarship Award, The Ian Fletcher-Lynch Spirit of the River Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Eagles Auxilary Scholarship, Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Award, Doug Turner Memorial Scholarship Award, The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship, Mohawk District Education Association Scholarship, Colrain Community Church Scholarship, The Raymond And Agnes Starkey Endowed Memorial Scholarship, The Barbara And Herbert Purington Scholarship, Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts (REAM) Franklin County Chapter Award, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Alan Willis Memorial Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Area Woman’s Club Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Deegan Kelleher: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Palmer King: Science Gold Award, Coach Bob and Pat Hinds Scholarship Award, Charlemont Lion’s Club Award, The Trustees Of Arms Academy Scholarship, Helen E. Long Memorial Scholarship, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Key Club Scholarship, Heath Ladies Aid Scholarship,John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Chayim Mojallali: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Logan Moore: Sue Atherton Endowed Scholarship Fund For Agriculture And Farming, Shelburne Falls Eagles Auxilary Scholarship, Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Award, The Summer R. Steele Memorial Scholarship, Trustees of Sanderson Academy Scholarship, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarship, The Fall Festival Scholarship, the VanValkenburg Scholarship.

■Bianca Robinson: Science Silver Award.

■Kristen Sevoian: Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Award, Louise Vetterling Ellis “From the Heart” Award, The Kelly M. Broughan Memorial Scholarship, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarships.

■Sofiya Slocik-Gritzner: Charlemont Lion’s Club Award, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarships.

■Jasmine Smith: Excellence in Personal Finance, Science Bronze Award, The Kelly M. Broughan Memorial Scholarship, Colrain Community Church Scholarship, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship.

■Emma Thrower: Excellence in Studio Art, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship.

■Phineas Tuttman: Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Award, Larry Rancourt Scholarship, Doug Turner Memorial Scholarship Award, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, Carl H. Nilman Scholarship, Rolland Gifford Memorial Scholarship, Shelburne Falls Area Woman’s Club Scholarship, The Dr. Sarah Kemble Memorial Scholarship, Fred W. Wells Fund scholarship.

■Norwin Wangmo: Gertrude Streeter Award, Capstone Habits of Excellence, Science Gold Award, The Dr. John B. And Lillian C. Temple Memorial Scholarship, The Raymond And Agnes Starkey Endowed Memorial Scholarship, The Gordy Van Gilder Family Scholarship, The A.K. Warner Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Jadelyn Wheeler: Excellence in Personal Finance, Science Bronze Award,The Ian Fletcher-Lynch Spirit of the River Scholarship, Charles E. White Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

■Mayzie Whitaker: Excellence in Spanish, Capstone Habits of Excellence, Science Gold Award, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.