PITTSFIELD, MA — The inaugural Alumni Music Fest at Berkshire Community College (BCC), held in late November, proved to be a smashing success, drawing more than 250 attendees and raising $3,000 for the Eleanore Velez Scholarship. The scholarship supports students who are ineligible for federal aid due to their citizenship status. Such students include those who are undocumented, immigrants, refugees, or hold J-1 visas for exchange visitors.
Performing artists included the Samba Trio with Tarcisio "Taz" Ramos dos Santos and Laura Cabrera, Grammy-nominated musician Matt Cusson, Billy Keane, Andy Wrba, Chantell McCulloch, Dave Brown, Gina Coleman and others.
"We are grateful that so many people came out to support our students and celebrate our talented alumni musicians," said Caterina Penna, Director of Alumni Relations and Events. "It was an inspiring and magical night."
Liliana Atanacio, Workforce Trainings Orientation and Youth Programming Manager, created the scholarship with people like herself in mind. She considered Eleanore Velez, a former BCC admissions counselor and coordinator of the Multicultural Center, as not only a person who helped her navigate her own path, but also as a role model for immigrants and a champion of multicultural representation in higher education.
I am an immigrant who faced challenges and succeeded. I am convinced that committed students deserve all the support we can offer as a community. They do not need to repeat our struggles. We can empower them to achieve their goals and give back so we can have stronger communities. To students of all ages, I say, 'Si se puede.' Yes you can.
Atanacio, a single parent, said while she attended BCC, she juggled attending morning classes with a full-time job and raising her daughters. As an undocumented student, she was not eligible for financial aid or loans and paid out-of-state tuition. Atanacio graduated in 2018 with an associate degree in engineering, something she says would not have been possible without the support of BCC teachers, advisors and scholarships provided by the BCC Foundation.
The Alumni Music Fest also honored Craig Cusson '64, father of Grammy-nominated musician Matt Cusson. Craig Cusson, who served as the BCC Chorus Director, composed and wrote BCC's alma mater. He later went on to a 40-year career at Berkshire Life, where he eventually became executive vice president.
