The Community Shows Its Smarts At The BART Trivia Fundraiser

Amy Krzanik reports from Adams. A combination of light drinking and heavy thinking occurred at the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BART) on Saturday night, May 3 as the school held its 7th annual “Get BART Smart" team trivia fundraiser. The school's atrium held a crowd of supporters as they snacked on food from Mezze Catering and refreshments provided by Spirited, and browsed silent auction items, which included signed Red Sox memorabilia, a private tour of the High Line in New York City, passes to Disney World and other items. Kate Drew Miller Photography took "class photos" in between the 20-minute rounds, which saw teams traveling between classrooms answering questions in the categories of citizenship, technology, SAT and pop culture. BART, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this fall, has a current enrollment of 320 students in grades 6-12 and boasts an amazing 100 percent college acceptance rate. Proceeds from the event go to fund the award-winning, tuition-free school's academic programming. Shown above left: North Adams City Councilor Ben Lamb and BART's Executive Director Julia Bowen.

Courtney Shapiro, Carrie Richards, Katie Bodnar and Amy Van Dusen; BART Development Coordinator Leah Thompson with BART's newest trustee, Marnie Sommer.

Joe Bergeron and trustee Geraldine Shen; Marisa Daley, Eric Nottke, BART staff member Monique Nottke, Hugh Daley, Beth Ellingwood and Kevin Ellingwood.

Trustee Fred Puddester with Susan Puddester, Sarah Bolton, Audrey Thier, Ari Solomon, Peter Murphy and BART's Co-founder and Board Chair Pam Johnson.

Cindy Brown, Vice President of Academic Affairs at MCLA and a BART trustee, Maura Delaney, Liberal Arts Program Advisor at BCC, and Joan Mayes and Maureen Sullivan of Syracuse, NY; North Adams City Councilor Kate Merrigan with Christian Tenczar.