Gary Ritter rototills between rows of tomatoes and squash on family-owned land on Hockanum Road in Hadley, Tuesday. He said the land has never been sold and has been in his family for about 250 years.
Gary Ritter rototills between rows of tomatoes and squash on family-owned land on Hockanum Road in Hadley, Tuesday. He said the land has never been sold and has been in his family for about 250 years. Credit: JERREY ROBERTS

Amherst

Maraina Leigh Weyl was named to the dean’s list at Syracuse University for the 2015-16 academic year. Her parents are Debbie Weyl of Amherst and Kevin Weyl of Madison, Connecticut.

Christine Adams, an occupational therapy major in the class of 2018, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.

Belchertown

Peter J. Keefe graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, with a bachelor’s degree in biology, summa cum laude.

Easthampton

Justin Brown has been appointed co-director of Camp Holy Cross in Goshen and youth minister at Saint Agnes Catholic Community in Dalton. 

Brown’s responsibilities will include youth service projects and support at St. Agnes Academy.

As co-director of Camp Holy Cross, he will be responsible for day-to-day operations, working with many participant groups and directing the overnight youth camp program. 

Brown is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University. He has spent much of his career in youth ministry, serving as a parish director of religious education work at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, while also working in the culinary arts.  

Solvieg Jonsson has graduated from Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield. 

Amanda M. Lucia was named to the “A” dean’s list and Connor D. Gibbs was named to the dean’s list at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York.

Samantha Pion graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont.

Florence

Dimitra Sierros was inducted into the Williston Northampton School chapter of the Cum Laude Society.

Theresa M. Ruszczyk, class of 2016 and an international business and Spanish major, has been named to the spring semester dean’s list at Stonehill College in Easton. 

Granby

Kiley Baran was recently named to the spring semester president’s list at Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont.

Joseph M. Varney, class of 2019 and a biology major, was named to the spring semester dean’s list at Stonehill College in Easton.

Haydenville

Benjamin Preston, the son of Pat and Deb Preston, has been named to the spring semester dean’s list at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of the class of 2018, the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity and is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in astrophysics.

Hadley

Katherine O’Donnell received a bachelor’s degree in health science from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. O’Donnell now continues on a path toward a doctor of physical therapy degree.

Syed Bilal Ali,  graduated May 21 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies, Arabic and Middle Eastern studies from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. 

Zoey Alise Campbell of San Jose, California, graduated from Leland High School in San Jose on June 1. She is the daughter of Kimberly and Rory Campbell and the granddaughter of Stan and Marion Kristek of Hadley and Treasa Quinn Campbell of San Jose. Campbell will be attending San Francisco State University in the fall.

Jasmine Delsie, a occupational therapy major in the class of 2015, was inducted into the  Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.

Hatfield

Luke M. Smith graduated with a degree in theatre from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, on May 14.

Haydenville

Ysabella Luikart was inducted into the Williston Northampton School chapter of the Cum Laude Society.

Huntington

Athena Furioni was named to the spring semester dean’s list at Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont.

Christopher Handschuh graduated magna cum laude from Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts in North Adams with a bachelor’s degree in arts management and a minor in music. He is currently employed at Mass MOCA.

Montague

 Zachary Wright was named to the spring semester dean’s list at Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont.

Northampton

Geoffrey W. Locke received an alumni citation from Northfield Mount Hermon during the June reunion weekend. Locke is a 1986 graduate of the boarding school.

 The citation honors an alumnus or alumna for exceptional volunteer service to, and support of, Northfield Mount Hermon. A four-year NMH graduate, Locke earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from New York University, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School, and both master’s and a doctorate in social work from Smith College. He is an adjunct professor at Smith College and he has a private practice in Amherst.

Arianna Elena Aquadro graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, magna cum laude.

Samuel Turner and Robert Rice graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 14. Turner received his bachelor’s degree and Rice his master’s degree.

South Hadley

Christopher Roger Menard, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Menard, graduated  from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on May 22 with a bachelor’s degree in international business and management. Menard is a graduate of South Hadley High School.

Timothy Laroche has been named to spring semester dean’s list at Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vermont.

Jeffrey Deloria earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Merrimack College in North Andover. 

Sunderland

Amber Niedbala, daughter of Karen and John Niedbala, was named to the spring semester dean’s list at Springfield College. Niedbala is enrolled in the college’s physical therapy program.

Briana Cook earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from Merrimack College in North Andover.

Whately

Nursing student Brooke Matuszko graduated magna cum laude with an associate’s degree in nursing  from Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont. Matuszko was named to the spring semester dean’s list and was recognized at the annual Castleton Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

Williamsburg

Hannah Laird was named to the spring semester dean’s list at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, where she recently completed her junior year. Laird is majoring in linguistics and minoring in psychology. Her parents are Duncan and Meg Laird.