Registration open for HCC summer youth programs

HOLYOKE — Registration is now open for 2026 Summer Youth Programs at Holyoke Community College. Starting July 7 and running through Aug. 8, HCC will offer 16 weeklong, in-person summer programs for youth aged 8 to 16.

The programs run Monday through Friday, some for a full day and others for a half day. All in-person programs will be held on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave., except for cooking classes, which are held at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke.

For more details or to register for Summer Youth Program classes, please go to: hcc.edu/summer-youth.

Programs offered include:

  • “Cooking without Borders,” with Chef Marangelly Vargas-Gonzalez (ages 9-16), July 6-10, and July 13-17. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $425)
  • “Fun Bites” with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-16), July 6-10, and July 13-17. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $425)
  • “ROBLOX Coders” (ages 8-10; 11-14), July 13-17. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 8-10; 1 to 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199)
  • “Around the World” with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-16), July 20-24, and July 27-31. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $425)
  • “Make Your First Video Game” (ages 8-10; 11-14), July 20-24. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. – noon for ages 8-10; 1 – 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199).
  • “Passport to Flavors” with Chef Marangelly Vargas-Gonzalez (ages 9-16), July 20-24, and July 27-31. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $425).
  • “Minecraft Designers” (ages 8-10; 11-14), July 27-31. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. – noon for ages 8-10; 1 – 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199).
  • “Python Programmers,” (ages 8-10; 11-14), Aug. 3-7:  Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. – noon for ages 8-10; 1 – 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199).

Amherst Dems to elect delegates to state convention

Amherst Democrats will convene at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m., to elect delegates and alternates to the 2026 State Democratic Convention.

Democrats will choose up to 17 delegates and four alternates to represent the town at this year’s nominating convention, which will decide endorsements for the U.S. Senate, governor, and other statewide offices.

The 2026 Convention will be in person at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30. Registered and preregistered Democrats in Amherst, who are 16 years old by Feb. 19, 2026, may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus.

Youth (age 16 to 35), individuals with disabilities, people of color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting https://www.massdems.org/caucus-and-convention.

If too few candidates are present at the caucus to fill available positions, party rules allow the nomination of candidates despite their absence, as long as they email ADTC co-chairs Brian Boyd and Evan Ross prior to the caucus at AmherstMADemocrats@gmail.com to express their interest in running.

Those interested in getting involved with the ADTC can visit www.amherstmademocrats.org or write AmherstMADemocrats@gmail.com.

Smith College named top Fulbright producer

NORTHAMPTON — Smith College has once again been named among the nation’s top producers of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients, continuing a long-standing record of preparing graduates for global engagement and impact.

Smith is one of only five baccalaureate institutions that can claim being a Top Producer of Fulbright Students every year since the designation began in the 2009–10 academic year. The 2025–26 recognition marks Smith’s 17th consecutive year on the list. This year, the college ranks 12th among top Fulbright-producing institutions nationwide.

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange initiative, supporting study, research, and teaching abroad. For the third consecutive year, 10 Smith students and recent alums have been selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards. Smith recipients will teach, conduct research, and pursue advanced study in Taiwan, Sweden, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Italy.

Cancer Connection’s free programs

NORTHAMPTON — Cancer Connection will offer two free public programs in March.

One of the programs, “The Genetics of Cancer and Your Inherited Risk,” will be held on Monday, March 16, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Genetic counseling is the process of helping one assess and understand their (and their family’s) risks and providing support and education throughout the genetic testing process. 

In this seminar, Page Brody, a certified genetic counselor, will explore the basics of cancer genetics and why a well-gathered family history helps providers better understand if genetic testing may shed light on hereditary cancer risk.

Brought in conjunction with the Greenfield Public Library, this program will be available in-person at the Greenfield Public Library Community room, and remotely as a Zoom webinar. This program is available to anyone in the community, regardless of a cancer diagnosis. Registration is required.

A second program, “Ask the Oncologist: Cancer Care Q&A,” will take place on Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., led by Dr. Ahmad Daniyal Siddiqui, medical director of Medical Oncology and Chief of the Hematology and Medical Oncology Division at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

This is an opportunity to hear directly from an oncologist about treatment options, managing side effects, communicating with a care team, and more. The session will be in-person at 41 Locust St. in Northampton or remotely via webinar. This program is available to anyone in the community, regardless of a cancer diagnosis. Registration is required.

For more information, visit cancer-connection.org. To register, contact Kendell Sweeney-Thomas at outreach@cancer-connection.org, or call 413-586-1642 x104.