The Lyon Roars
New & Updates
A Helping Hand at the West County Community Resource Fair
The Mary Lyon Foundation proudly hosted its second annual West County Community Resource Fair at Mohawk Trail Regional School, highlighting the many ways Franklin County organizations provide critical support to families and students. With a mission to connect the community in a trusted and familiar space, the fair brought together a wide range of services…
Letter from the Executive Director: Winter 2025
Four years ago we imagined a future for the Mary Lyon Foundation in which we would expand our programming and grow our operating and program endowments to meet the extraordinary challenges of the families in the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Districts in perpetuity. Because of the commitment of community members like yourself, we have…
Honoring a Legacy of Community Service: The E.W. Martin II Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Mary Lyon Foundation is proud to support the E.W. Martin II Endowed Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to the remarkable life and enduring legacy of our neighbor Edgar W. Martin II. Edgar, who called Shelburne Falls home before settling in Ashfield, made meaningful contributions to the West County community, leaving a lasting impression that continues…
Ron L. James: From Adversity to Advocacy – A Story of Transformation and Hope
Ron L. James, a member of the Mary Lyon Foundation’s Board of Trustees, has a profound story of redemption and transformation. Having faced challenges including substance abuse, serving 25 years in prison, and homelessness, he has turned his trials into triumphs. Ron is committed to sharing his experience so others don’t walk the same difficult…
Mentorship and Inspiration: Pursuing Passion with Support
Andrew Doty’s formative years at the Mohawk Trail Regional School District launched a passion for helping others, eventually leading him to medical school. Shaped by the guidance of his mentors and the support of his school community, his experiences set him on a path to making a meaningful impact in the medical field. As a…
Letter from the Executive Director: Fall 2024
Students and families in the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School districts face immense challenges. Over fifty percent of the student body does not have enough food to nourish their bodies and minds, warm winter coats, heat, hot water, gas money, or emergency funds. In this incredibly hot summer, most cannot afford the electricity to cool…
Accessibility in Advanced Placement
As is standard in schools across the country, students at MTRHS have always been assigned to Advanced Placement (AP) level courses based on teachers’ assessments of their abilities – but, what if this perceived aptitude and ability to succeed has taken an opportunity away from students that could’ve benefitted? MTRHS Director of Curriculum and Instruction…
A Portrait of Dedication
Jana Standish, a cherished member of the Mary Lyon Foundation’s Board of Trustees, embodies the essence of dedication, compassion, and community spirit. With over three decades of service as an elementary school counselor in the Mohawk Trail Regional School District, Jana has been a beacon of support for countless students, families, staff, and community members,…
A Lifetime of Advocacy and Support
Gordon and Marion Taylor have supported West County for longer than most of its residents have been alive, leading many initiatives and programs that benefit us all. Through a lifelong commitment to serving a community of friends and neighbors, they’ve made an impact that will continue for generations. Even before Gordon and Marion officially became…