Neighbor to Neighbor.

Megan Tobey, of Sterling, recently graduated from Salem State University.

Brianna E. Heighton, of Clinton, received a master of occupational therapy from Quinnipiac University during a commencement ceremony held May 13 at the TD Bank Sports Center.

Fitchburg State University recently held its spring graduation. Receiving degrees were:

Bolton: Brittany Burns, master's in teaching (history);

Clinton: Charles Crook, master's in teaching (history); Manoulosky Desormes, bachelor's (sociology); Ashley Estrada, bachelor's (nursing); Carlos Formaggia, bachelor's (sociology); Amanda Fregeau, master's (counseling); Sarah Pennington, master's (biology); Amanda Ribeiro, bachelor's (elementary education, 1 to 6); Travis St. Hilaire, bachelor's (earth systems science); and Liza Tierney, master's (counseling);

Sterling: Meaghann Babineau, master's (counseling); Aaron Longfield, bachelor's (computer science); and Chantille Zaharee, bachelor's (interdisciplinary studies).

The Berlin/Boylston Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) announced its 2012 Excellent Educator Awards recipients. This year 13 teachers, assistants or other staff members were nominated because parents felt these educators have made a difference in their child's life and educational experience.

The 2012 recipients at Berlin Memorial School were: Peter Daley, Deb Elllis, Mollee Nosek, Rachel Pini and Jen Rickard.

Taylor LeFrancois, of Bolton, graduated in December from Nichols College, summa cum laude, with a bachelor's degree.

Riley LeFrancois, of Bolton, just graduated from Plymouth State University, N.H., magna cum laude, with a bachelor's degree. He will be returning to Plymouth State in the fall to study for his master's in business administration.

Christian Shiveley, of Lancaster, received the Jeremiah Clark Barber Award presented to the Bryant University graduate who has shown the most consistent record of academic improvement resulting in making the dean's list recognition. During the May 19 commencement, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in sociology and service learning.

Several Nashoba Regional High School drama members won TAMY Awards from Theatre at the Mount recently, in recognition of their production of "Beauty and the Beast":

William Grady won for best director; the production won for best scenic design, best costumes and best props/set dressing.

Olivia Dufault, a student at Wachusett Regional High School, won for Not-Your-Average-Chorus Member for "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

Matthew Gilchrest, of Lancaster, graduated from the University of New Hampshire during the commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 19, on the Durham, NH campus. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Corrinne Lauze, of Berlin, graduated with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Mary Washington.

Bryant University held its 149th commencement on Saturday, May 19. Among the graduates are the following local residents:

Megan Goodnow, of Lancaster, bachelor's in business administration in management, cum laude; Daniel Kissane, of Clinton, bachelor's in business administration in accounting; Daniel Piazza, of Lancaster, bachelor's in communication; and Christian Shiveley, of Lancaster, bachelor's in sociology.

Angela Anita Wheeler, of Berlin, was awarded a bachelor's degree in cultural and historic preservation/international studies during Salve Regina University's 62nd commencement on Sunday, May 20. Wheeler, a Pell Honors Program graduate, received the International Studies Department Award.

The Village Green Preschool (VGP) in Sterling recently awarded its eighth annual $1,000 scholarship to Connor Casey. Connor lives in Sterling and attended VGP in 1999.

Currently a senior at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Connor excels academically and is touted as an "essential part of every discussion" and a "rare person who listens as carefully as he speaks." Connor is a member of St. John's varsity baseball team, participates regularly in community service projects with St. John's Campus Ministry program, is active in his church, and has also maintained several part-time jobs.

Connor's mother, Karen, was a dedicated teacher at VGP from 1999 to 2002. Connor says he wants to follow his mother's example, and "take life by the horns."

In the fall, Connor will attend Roger Williams University. There, he plans to major in communications with hopes of pursuing a career in journalism.

Laura Miller, of Clinton, was recognized for participation in American International College campus activities recently at a ceremony in the Griswold Theatre. More than 75 students received awards at the Co-Curricular Awards night program, as students, parents, faculty and administrators gathered to honor the student leaders.

Miller, a senior majoring in occupational therapy, received the Intramural Award.

Keval Shah, of Clinton, received a master's degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduate commencement on May 26.

Mount Wachusett Community College recently announced its spring president's and dean's lists.

Named to the president's list were: Clark Judkins and Kiara Melo, of Clinton; Zachary Raboin and Erin Ross, of Lancaster; Tess Aucoin and Joy-Anne Mitchell, of South Lancaster; and Rebecca Clark, Benjamin Gawlik, Jacqueline Richard and Charles Steinbrecher, of Sterling.

Named to the dean's list were: Scott Babineau, Meaghan Boisoneau, Sandy Dalegrand, Lars Gomez, Jennifer Gormley, Casandra Jean, Timothy Kilroy, Karen Moore, Angela Morin, Maria Pinto-Gilberto, Mayra Soto De Perez and Timothy Welch, of Clinton; Kristine Bourque, Kenneth Eckland, Khurstyn Jones, Schuyler Nelson and Joshua Velten, of Lancaster; Hyman Gardner, Chris Linton, Judline Pierre, Juline Pierre, Mayllara Puntel, Marianne Silva and Laura Winters, of South Lancaster; and Andrew Green, Stephanie Wilbur and Nicole Young, of Sterling.

To include items in the Neighbor to Neighbor column, send them to: The Item, 156 Church St., Clinton, MA 01510. Or e-mail items to: [e-mail].

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Village Green Preschool, in Sterling, awarded its eighth annual scholarship to Connor Casey. Shown are (from left) Linda Greene, director of Village Green Preschool; Connor Casey, scholarship recipient; and Corey Burnham-Howard, Village Green Preschool Scholarship Committee chairman. (2) Fifth graders at Applewild School in Fitchburg traveled recently to the Challenger Learning Center in Framingham. The students participated in the Mission Simulator Program which creates a model of a mission to Mars. Each student was assigned a job on the mission team including helping to land the craft safely on Mars, conducting studies of the Martian atmosphere and surface, as well as maintaining the health and safety of the crew. Taking his role very seriously is Chris Maskas, of Sterling.