BUCKLAND — Mohawk Trail Regional School has invested in a new service designed to give students the competitive advantage they need to get into college.
The school opened the new Rogers Career and College Counseling Center that is outfitted with ergonomic furniture that can be moved according to the needs of the activities in the space and technology that can accommodate virtual speakers. The space will allow for meetings with college recruiters both in person and virtually, allowing recruiters from farther away to meet with students.
“This tool will help students help themselves,” commented Bev Labelle, a member of the Mary Lyon Foundation’s board of trustees.
The $30,000 needed to build the career and college counseling center was obtained by the Mary Lyon Foundation, a nonprofit that supports education in Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Plainfield, Rowe and Shelburne. The money was awarded by the California-based nonprofit Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation, which funds a variety of philanthropic opportunities.
The new center is located in the school’s library. Along with being used to prepare for post-graduation plans, teachers and students use the space for routine schoolwork.
“The space has been truly integrated,” commented Librarian Emily Willis.
Willis explained the school needed a career and college counseling center, and she started to plan for the addition to the library last fall, before the funding was obtained.
Principal Christopher Buckland noted the school district has struggled to attract students — something he believes the new counseling center will help to do.
“The benefits of this space will be seen long-term,” commented Mary Lyon Foundation Executive Director Kristen Tillona-Baker.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.