June 5: ‘Unplugged & Connected’
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College, in collaboration with Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre, will present “Unplugged & Connected: A Youth-Led Dialogue on Digital Well-Being” on Friday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at GCC.
The event will feature a youth-led panel discussion focused on digital health, mindful presence and mental health for young people. Speakers will address the impacts of technology, social media and connection on mental health.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Michael Tsappis, an attending psychiatrist in the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and a co-founder of the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders, a center for treatment, research and education about problematic interactive media use.
The event is free and open to the public, including educators, health care and service
providers, parents and community members. A complimentary dinner will be included for attendees. To learn more or to register, visit gccfor.me/unplugged.
Four students receive A.K. Warner Fund scholarships
GREENFIELD — Four Greenfield students have received A.K. Warner Fund scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year: Dylan Jacob Breiwick of Greenfield High School, Hannah Grace Phillips of Stonehill College, Ethan Atticus Sandberg of Hampshire College and Nathaniel Woodard of Greenfield High School.
These individuals have been academically successful, and have participated in school and community activities. The trustees are pleased to provide them with scholarships to assist with their plans for the future.
The A.K. Warner Fund was established under the will of Anson K. Warner to provide financial assistance to Greenfield residents between the ages of 14 and 21. Scholarships are awarded for the purpose of paying for room, board or tuition, or materials needed to procure a good education. The trustees, elected by the citizens of Greenfield, meet annually each spring to determine the recipients.
Family advocate to address online safety
GREENFIELD — Jess Loebel, a family advocate with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin, will be at the Greenfield Public Library on Friday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to noon to provide resources and answer questions about online safety.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin and North Quabbin coordinates a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together to investigate allegations of child abuse and exploitation. Services are provided in Greenfield and Orange.
GCC graduate gets Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College graduate Michael Hannigan was named a 2026 recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the nation’s most competitive and selective awards for community college students.
Selected from more than 1,300 applicants nationwide, Hannigan was among just 60 students to receive the scholarship, which provides up to $55,000 per year to support completion of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year institution. The award also includes individualized advising, access to a national network of Cooke Scholars and alumni, and opportunities for internships, study abroad and graduate study support.
“These scholars reflect the depth of talent and determination found in community colleges across the country,” Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, CEO of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, said in a statement. “They’ve demonstrated what they’re capable of, and we’re proud to help ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent them from continuing their education and realizing their full potential.”
The scholarship recognizes exceptional academic achievement, leadership, perseverance and service. A student in GCC’s Farm and Food Systems program, Hannigan was president of the Student Senate and previously served as student trustee. He was also at the helm of the GCC Permaculture Club, and organized gleaning projects and free farmers markets to expand access to fresh food for students and community members. Through internships and volunteer work with organizations such as Stone Soup Café and Rachel’s Table, he has become an advocate for addressing food insecurity in the region.
In 2025, Hannigan was named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities that works toward advancing civic engagement. He was also recognized through GCC’s Martin Luther King Jr. awards program for his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Hannigan, a Commonwealth Honors Scholar, graduated from GCC on May 22 with an associate degree in liberal arts, with plans to continue his education in hopes of earning a bachelor’s degree in political science.