Posts by Hayley Sotolotto
A Safe and Innovative Learning Environment
When Amber Tulloch traded in her title of teacher for principal in 2021, it was supposed to be temporary, covering for the principal of Hawlemont Regional Elementary School’s (HRES) during her maternity leave. Principal Tulloch soon went from acting to interim, and ultimately to permanent principal when the job opened up later that year. Stepping…
Read MoreThe Need for Community
The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were uncertain and challenging for all, and Cathryn LaMontagne’s experience was no exception. In the spring of 2020, Cathryn began her days by dropping off pumped milk to her newborn daughter at Baystate Hospital in Springfield before heading to Boston with her immunocompromised toddler for check-ups with his…
Read MoreStudent Assistance Corner
The Caring is Sharing Clothing Closet By fostering positive educational achievements that help students thrive, the Mary Lyon Foundation has steadfastly advocated for students and faculty within the Mohawk Trail community. One shining example is the Caring is Sharing Clothing Closet, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the Key Club with backing from advisor Lisa Camarda,…
Read MoreCampaign for Student Success
Thank you to everyone who celebrated our Campaign for Student Success at the Crazy Horse Bar and Grill in June! Because of our community’s dedication to ensuring our students learn, succeed, and thrive, we’ve made remarkable strides in reaching our $5 million-dollar fundraising goal. Special thanks to local musicians Greg Daniel Smith and Tory Hanna…
Read MoreBoard Spotlight: Arthur DeBow – Empowering Student Success
Arthur DeBow is an active Mary Lyon Foundation board member and an ardent advocate for local K-12 students and their families. Arthur’s dedication to providing opportunities for student success is inspiring and has made him an invaluable asset to the Foundation. By working to mobilize services and programs that create positive educational outcomes, Arthur empowers…
Read MoreExtending a Helping Hand: The Mary Lyon Foundation’s Impact on Families During Challenging Times
The Mary Lyon Foundation’s support and dedication to the community were critical for many families during the chaos and uncertainty of COVID-19. Kecelyn DeArmond, a parent whose children attend Hawlemont Elementary School, recalls how the Mary Lyon Foundation provided her family with crucial aid and renewed hope during those particularly challenging times. Coping with Homeschooling…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Summer 2023
We blazed into summer with a Reach for the Stars launch party supporting our Campaign for Student Success. The well-attended event was at the Crazy Horse Bar and Grill at Berkshire East in Charlemont, MA, and featured local musicians Greg Smith and Tory Hanna, along with the Mohawk Trail High School Chorus. The band played…
Read MoreVolunteer Month
Thank you to all our amazing volunteers! In honor of National Volunteer Month, we celebrate their commitment to our communities. Shown below are our Hilltown Church Food Pantry Volunteers, who helped move 4,000 pounds of food in March, feeding hundreds of people with the assistance and support of 11 drivers. We appreciate our volunteers today and…
Read MoreCalling Our Community to Action for Student Success
We take our name from the pioneering 19th-century educator, Mary Lyon, a Buckland native and the founder of Mt. Holyoke College in 1837, who devoted her life to providing access to education for everyone. Her words, spoken roughly 150 years ago, “Go where no one else will go. Do what no one else will do.”…
Read MoreThe Davin Scholarship: Carrying on Tanja’s Legacy & Motivating Future Doctors
Tanja Davin knew she wanted to be a doctor from a young age. Her mother and father, Lizz and Bruce Davin, were elated for their daughter to have the ambition, drive, and intellect to make her dream come true. “We just watched and waited, and sure enough, she graduated, went onto Tufts, went into pre-med,…
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