Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wahconah Newsletter #46

 

Young Adult (14-25) Job Fair

August 19, 2026 l 11am-1pm

Berkshire Innovation Center
45 Woodlawn Ave, Pittsfield. 

Are you looking for your first job, a part-time position during the school year, or a chance to explore career paths?

The Young Adult Job Fair is the perfect place to get started! This event brings together Berkshire County employers who are eager to hire motivated young adults for part-time, seasonal, and entry-level positions. Whether you’re saving for college, gaining work experience, or taking the first step toward your career, this event is designed to help  you succeed!

Bring your resume, bring a friend, dress professionally, and come ready to meet employers who are excited to invest in the next generation of talent!

 ATTENDING EMPLOYERS:

  • Berkshire Family YMCA (16+)
  • Berkshire Health Systems (18+)
  • Canyon Ranch (18+)
  • CRT Cabulance (18+)
  • Gateway Collaborative Media (15+)
  • Hillcrest Educational Centers (18+)
  • Integritus Healthcare (16+)
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (18+)
  • MassHire Berkshire Career Center (14+)
  • UCP of Western Massachusetts (18+)
  • UNISTRESS CORP. (18+)
  • US ARMY (17+)
  • Williams College (18+)
  • and more!

Pre-Registration strongly encouraged.
Walk-ins are also welcome!

Need help preparing?
Check out our workshops:

  • Creating Your Resume will guide you in creating the perfect marketing tool to use in your job search… Your résumé.
  • Interviewing More Effectively provides tips on presenting a positive first impression, knowing what to expect at an interview, and being prepared for each stage of the interview. Plan answers for potential interview questions and develop self confidence in the process.
  • The Resume Lab workshop will help you structure a basic resume on the spot!
  • Job Club expands your network of contacts and serves as a support group throughout your job search process.
  • Youth Employment Strategies (YES) learn the fundamental steps that will lead to successful employment.

Not a Career Center member?
No Problem! Simply CLICK HERE to create an account on MassHire JobQuest and then register for this event.
Please contact the Business Services Team with questions at: BusinessTeam@MassHireBerkshirecc.com

https://www.masshireberkshirecc.com/event/young-adult-14-25-job-fair/


Common Application is now live 

The Common Application for the 2026-2027 application cycle is live as of August 1, 2026.  With the Common Application, students can apply to over 1,200 schools. 

Here is a video to help you learn more about the details when completing the Common Application: 2027 Common Application video


College Admission Counselor visits


College representatives will visit our Seniors in the Guidance Department starting

September 16th. Students can find our full College Admission visit calendar and 

register on their Wahconah Naviance.com account. If you need help with logging in

to Naviance, please reach out to your School Counselor. 


The following colleges are scheduled to visit:


Wednesdy, 9/16 - University of Massachusetts @ Amherst - 12:30pm

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - 1:30pm

Tuesday, 9/22 -   Marist University - 10:00am Wednesday, 9/23 - Simmons University, 9:00am

Friday, 9/25 - Springfield College, 1:30pm Monday, 9/28 - Emmanuel College, 10:00am Endicott College, 12:30pm

Thursday, 10/1 - University of Vermont, 9:00am Friday, 10/2 - St. Anselm College, 8:00am

Monday, 10/5 - Rochester Institute of Technology - 10:00am Thursday, 10/8 - Providence College - 10:00am Salem State University - 12:30pm Tuesday, 10/13 - University of Massachusetts @ Boston - 10:00am

Wednesday,10/21- Mt. Holyoke College, 8:00am Thursday, 10/22 - Husson University, 9:00am Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 10:00am Merrimack University, 1:30pm Friday, 10/23 - Union College - 8:30am Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, 12:30pm

Greylock Federal Credit Union Wealth Ambassadors Program offered to High School students

Are you between 11 and 22 and ready to level up your money game? Join the Greylock Wealth Ambassadors Program and get paid $300 to build your financial future.

What’s in it for you?

  • $300 stipend and a letter of commendation after completing the 10-month program
  • Real talk about money, saving, investing and building wealth
  • A chance to lead discussions and be a voice for your generation
  • Connect with mentors and like-minded young leaders
  • Over $200 worth of Greylock gear 

No experience needed – just curiosity and motivation to learn. Spots are limited, so don’t wait!

Monthly meetups:  Kicking off in September, Greylock Wealth Ambassadors will join interactive online chats every 
month. Plus, all summer long, there will be opportunities to be part of Greylock events in person!



Berkshire MassHire offers youth resources for career exploration, job readiness, and job listings.

The Berkshire MassHire office located at 160 North Street, 3rd floor, Pittsfield, MA 01201 offers youth various resources for career exploration, job readiness skills, and a list of employers who are currently hiring.  You can reach out to Kelly Groves-Skrocki, Supervisor of Youth Programs for further information.  She can be reached at kskrocki@MassHireBerkshireCC.com or 413-499-2220 ext. 145


WRHS Local Scholarships announced


Thank you to all who submitted your local Wahconah Scholarship applications.

Students can access many regional and national scholarships through Naviance. Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search

Regional scholarships recently added:

1.  Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - Due 9/30/2026


Vocational career training opportunities 

Springfield, MA Electrician Apprentice training program
Springfield Electrical JATC

Information meeting set:  August 24, 2026
https://local7jatc.coursestorm.com/category/information-session


Springfield Technical Community College (MA) - https://www.stcc.edu/

Hudson Valley Community College (NY)- https://www.hvcc.edu/


SUNY Delhi (NY): https://www.delhi.edu/


SUNY Cobleskill (NY): https://www.cobleskill.edu/

North Bennet St. School (Boston, MA): https://nbss.edu/




Naviance Career Interest Profiler


If you’re feeling unsure about your career path—or even if you have some ideas but want to explore more options—we highly recommend taking the Naviance Career Interest Profiler! It’s a great tool that can help you discover careers that align with your interests and strengths. Remember, there are many paths beyond college. Trade schools, apprenticeships, and gap years can provide valuable experiences and skills. Keep an open mind about what might suit you best.


To access it, simply log into your Naviance account (https://student.naviance.com/wahconahreghi), navigate to the Self-Discovery tab, and select Career Interest Profiler. It only takes a little time and can provide you with valuable insights into your future! As you find careers that interest you, you can even use the Favorite🩷 option to save them for easy access later.


Please feel free to reach out to your School Counselor if you need help logging in to your Naviance account.



MassHire YouthWorks programming


Students interested in looking for a job can receive assistance from the Berkshire MassHire Youth Works program. More information can be found here: https://www.masshireberkshirecc.com/youth/youth-programs/


You can reach out to Mrs. Grady at cgrady@cbrsd.org and Mrs. Kelly Groves-Skrocki, Youth Program Coordinator at kskrocki@masshireberkshirecc.com for further details and assistance.


Attend Community College in Massachusetts for free!

A new program titled MassEducate has been initiated by Governer Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Association for Community Colleges that allow Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree to attend any of the state's 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees. Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.  

To be eligible, students must:

1.  Complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)

2.  Apply to your local community college and enroll in an approved program of study.  Applications are open all year long and there is never an application fee.

3.  Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.

4.  Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.

5.  Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.

6.  Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college's requirements. 


SAT Registration is open for the 2026-2027 testing year



SAT registration is open for the 2025-26 testing year. Many colleges consider SAT scores as 

part of their holistic admission and placement decisions, and your score is a valid way to show 

what you've learned. Most juniors take their first SAT in the spring, and many take it again in 

the fall of their senior year to improve their score. It can help you keep your college options 

open, demonstrate your unique strengths, and even qualify for scholarships.  Note:  All students 

can be considered for a CollegeBoard Fee Waiver and other benefits when they are deemed 

eligible by completing the CBRSD Supplemental low-income data collection form.  Reach out to

your School Counselor and they will direct you to the form you can complete for consideration. 



SAT Update



Upcoming 2026-27 SAT Dates


August 2026–June 2027 Test Dates

These test dates and deadlines apply to all students—U.S. and international—taking the SAT:

SAT Test Date*Registration DeadlineDeadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation,
and Late Registration**
Aug. 22, 2026Aug. 7, 2026
Register
Aug. 11, 2026
Sept. 12, 2026Aug. 28, 2026
Register
Sept. 1, 2026
Oct. 3, 2026Sept. 18, 2026
Register
Sept. 22, 2026
Nov. 7, 2026Oct. 23, 2026
Register
Oct. 27, 2026
Dec. 5, 2026Nov. 20, 2026
Register
Nov. 24, 2026
March 6, 2027Feb. 19, 2027Feb. 23, 2027
May 1, 2027Apr. 16, 2027April 20, 2027
June 5, 2027May 21, 2027May 25, 2027
*Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.

**Late registration is available worldwide. Additional fees apply.

SAT Practice

The SAT transitioned to a digital test in March 2024. Digital SAT practice is now 

available to all students. When students take a full-length digital practice test in 

Bluebook™, they’ll get the full adaptive digital testing experience, as well as receive 

their scores, tailored information about the questions they got right and wrong, and 

thorough answer explanations.


SAT practice resourses can be found here to ensure they feel confident and prepared 

to do their very best on test day:  practice information 


Financial Aid 2026-2027

The 2026-27 FAFSA is now open!


WRHS students and their parents are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA supplies Colleges & Universities with important information used to create a student's financial aid offer. This will allow your students to maximize their financial aid including federal, state and institutional aid. 

Here are links to resources to help you fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA:

Net Price Calculators


Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.



Financial Aid - Create an FSA ID

If you plan to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for college financial aid, you’ll need to create an FSA ID first, which allows you to begin the FAFSA process. And you need to create your FSA ID at least a few days before you start the FAFSA, so now’s a great time to check that step off your list. Join us for this webinar where we walk through the process of creating an FSA ID, explain who needs to create one, and discuss other things to know before completing the FAFSA.

https://youtu.be/ziaXYHe5864?si=w2ZU1sR_G9ehHEnz


Financial Aid Process

You can find excellent Financial Aid resource videos from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority regarding the financial aid process and details regarding financial aid forms that you will be asked to complete via the link below.

Below is a link to an update regarding the FAFSA 

https://www.mefa.org/fafsa-simplification-updates-resources

https://www.mefa.org/videos


Raise Me Scholarships


RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their 

achievements during high school and college.  WRHS students grades 9-12 can 

access this website to participate via this link.  https://www.raise.me/how-it-works



New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break
2025-2026 program offerings

Over 2,500 programs are now offered through Tuition Break (RSP)

73% of undergraduate degree programs are now Flexible*, available to all residents of New England!


You can find additional information with this link below:


Tuition Break Program for Massachusetts residents


FAFSA Completion Assistance


FAFSA Completion assistance is provided on an ongoing basis by appointment through the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA), Berkshire Community College and MCLA.  Please find additional information via the links below:
MEFA FAFSA Completion Festival 

College search resource:  College Scorecard 

Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more.

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

CGN College/Career Library

The College Guidance Network provides an excellent library of resources through

a video library to help students and families obtain information about their 

College & Career search.  You can find it here via this link:

https://www.library.collegeguidancenetwork.com/library/home/c0e831da-6867-4eda-a580-7f87e50a4f3e?ref=c0e831da-6867-4eda-a580-7f87e50a4f3e



The College Tour - Amazon Prime 
Video Series

Hosted by Alex Boylan, each episode of The College Tour tells the story of what life is 
truly like on college campuses across the country and around the world. 
From academics, housing, sports, career preparation, campus life/location and 
much much more. In this innovative and informative series, each story is told by 
real students attending the featured college or university right now!

The much-anticipated Season 9 of The College Tour is now available on Amazon Prime Video. This season celebrates diversity and inclusivity, showcasing students with unique backgrounds and goals.

The viewers will explore majors like Business Administration, Life Science, Civil Engineering, Literature, and more, all while taking campus tours of outstanding colleges and universities across America and hearing students share their authentic stories and the impact that higher education had on them.

Join our host, Alex Boylan, on this exciting journey through the vibrant world of modern college life.




College Admission - No cost virtual workshops

Siena College is pleased to offer a series of virtual workshops regarding the college admission process.  From the application to financial aid and everything in between, tune into listen to experts chat with you about the college admissions process.  Additional information and registration can be found by clicking this link: Siena College Admission 1011


Massacusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Family Resources Portal

Please find a sampling of links on this portal page to information and resources on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) website about topics of interest to families.



Mental Health School Supplies


It's that time of year again - If your overwhelmed by the thought of going back to 

school and the pressure that comes along with it, you are not alone. Mental Health 

School Supplies is a company that provides support and resources.  

You can learn more here via this link:

https://www.crisistextline.org/school/


Managing Your Child's Anxiety: A Parent's Guide to Calm and Confidence



Today show feature - treating Mental Health virtually



Strategies to help with homework completion

Routines and incentive systems to help kids succeed

Time Management

Improving time management habits now can reduce end-of-semester anxiety and stress. Here are some sharable tips:

  • Set daily goals each morning.
  • Establish a routine and stick to it.
  • Schedule study breaks – allowing down time for exercise and fun improves work focus.
  • Use a calendar or time management app to track classes, assignments, study times, activities, jobs, etc.
  • Create a to-do list and cross off items as you go.


Naviance is available to Wahconah Students and Parents

The Wahconah Regional High School Guidance Department is very excited to introduce the Naviance College and Career planning system to our school community. 

Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals.  Its comprehensive college and career planning solutions optimize student success, enhance school counselor productivity, and track results for school and district administrators.

The Naviance program was reviewed with students during course registration and all students applying to college will need to use the Naviance program in order to obtain teacher recommendations and request transcripts.  Students were provided with an access code & parents can receive an access code by contacting your child's School Counselor.  You can access Naviance via the following webpage  https://connection.naviance.com/fclookup.php

Career Village

CareerVillage is a community where students can get free personalized career advice from real-life professionals.  Check it out by clicking the link below.


Career Village Website


Career Week video library

In the Spring of 2021, MassHire Berkshire Career Center recorded a series of Career videos for students to view as they are planning for graduation from high school.  You can access this excellent resource here and click on the career video that interests you.

Career week videos


Career exploration opportunities


West Point Summer Leaders Experience (SLE)


Current High School Juniors: SLE is your opportunity to "try on" cadet life

thourough a full immersion into West Point culture to see how well you and the

U.S. Military Academy fit together.

More information can be found via this link:

https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program


Experience Aviation

Join Aviation Exploring at Westfield-Barnes Airport, Westfield, MA.  Avation career exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women from the 6th grade to 20 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Aviation.  Contact Josh Soper, 413-459-5148 joshua.soper@scouting.org for more information.  

https://www.exploring.org/aviation/


Exploring: Discover Your Future

Join Exploring: Dalton Scout Troop 4 was established in 1921 and is the third oldest scout troop in the United States.  If you would like to get involved you can contact Tim Crocker at timothycrocker5@gmail.com


There is also a Scouting America - Western Massachusetts Council that you can get involved with:  Contact Carl Borden, Carl.Borden@scouting.org; 484-374-5366


Volunteer opportunities


Berkshire Horseworks

Berkshire HorseWorks in Richmond, provides recreational and therapeutic horse-centered programs. They are always looking for volunteers for horse-care and support staff.  For more details on this opportunity, stop in to the College and Career Center or email Mrs. Grady at cgrady@cbrsd.org


It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village has a mission to, "provide FREE postpartum and early parenting support to families with babies and young children living in Western Massachusetts, and to inspire the community to welcome the newest members of their village."  Fulfilling this mission, ITAV offers a multitude of services to families in the area including:

  • The Village Closet - a place for families to give and receive new and gently-used baby gear, clothing, diapers, feeding supplies and more.

  • Home Visits for postpartum support of families with infants for up to 12 weeks.

  • Children's Play groups

  • Caregiver Support groups, workshops and more!

You can sign up to volunteer here:  https://www.hilltownvillage.org/

Berkshire Carousel 

Join our team!!!  Become a volunteer...

Want to give back to the community?  Do you want to meet new people?  Give a few hours for days a week and become a volunteer at the Berkshire Carousel.

Join us in helping run our beautiful carousel.  We are looking for people to help us run our concession & refreshments stand, ride token sales, window sales, carousel operator assistants, and gift shop volunteers.



Wahconah Guidance Department

Phone: (413) 684-1330

Fax: (413) 684-2329


Lisa Farley Guidance Administrative Assistant

LFarley@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7109


Megan Sookey - School Counselor

Student Last Names: A-G

msookey@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7101


Peter Andersen - School Counselor & Counseling Coordinator

Student Last Names: H-M

pandersen@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7118


Katie Salavantis - School Counselor 

Student Last Names: N-Z

ksalavantis@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7110


Cathy Grady - Career and Internship Coordinator

cgrady@cbrsd.org

Ext. 7125