FRANKLIN - The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is proud to announce that 26 education professionals from across the state recently graduated from the 17th Annual Leadership Training Institute. This five-day residential program was conducted by nationally renowned trainers, Kevin Ringhofer and Marty Harding. Throughout the week, leadership trainees learned practical strategies for working with coaches, students and parents to promote sportsmanship and wellness themes. Specific topics for the course included conducting pre-season meetings, enforcing drug and alcohol policies, training staff members, and setting a positive example. At the end of the week, trainees immediately put what they learned to use by conducting their own workshop for over 70 local high school students.

Through a grant, the MIAA was able to provide for the cost of all meals, materials, hotel accommodations, and professional development. Workshop participants attended sessions at the MIAA office in Franklin and the Courtyard Marriott in Milford. Almost 500 health educators, coaches, teachers, parents, and others have attended this training program through the years.

The graduates from the 17^th Annual MIAA Leadership Training Institute are:

Wayne Adams (Merrimac, MA) Assistant Athletic Director/Teacher from Amesbury High School

Lyn Briggs (Ashland, MA) Drug Demand Reduction NCO from the Massachusetts Army National Guard

Holly Brouker (Pittsfield, MA) Fitness/Wellness Consultant from Miss Hall's School

Bob Casaceli (Longmeadow, MA) Athletic Director from Tantasqua Regional High School

Michael Denise (Braintree, MA) Athletic Director from Blackstone Valley Regional Voc/Tech High School

Maria DiClemente (Cambridge, MA) Program Leader for Athletics from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

Robert Donovan (Stoughton, MA) Teacher/Coach from South Boston Educational Complex

Marie Emery (Rockland, MA) Drug Demand Reduction Administrator from the Massachusetts Army National Guard

Jessi Fanuele (Hull, MA) Social Studies Teacher/National Honor Society Advisor from Hull High School

Bob Foley (Belchertown, MA) Assistant Athletic Director from Tantasqua Regional High School

Kate Gaccione (Westerly, RI) School Psychologist Intern from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School

Shawn Gersbach (Worcester, MA) Athletic Director from Ware High School

David Jackson (Winthrop, MA) Drug Demand Reduction NCO from the Massachusetts Army National Guard

Cynthia Knight (North Attleboro, MA) School Nurse from Bishop Feehan High School

Ron Lanham (Newton, MA) Athletic Director from Newton South High School

Bill Leaver (Upton, MA) Teacher/Coach from Nipmuc Regional High School

Andrew Longey (Easthampton, MA) Assistant Principal from Easthampton High School

Keith Mangan (Bedford, MA) Athletic Trainer from Bedford High School

Lynn McConchie (Whitinsville, MA) Health/Physical Education Teacher from Bay Path Reg. Voc/Tech High School

Shawn McIntyre (Milford, MA) Teacher/Coach from Milford High School

Cathy Meader (West Springfield, MA) Director of Athletics from West Springfield High School

Colleen Moore (Newton, MA) Urban Youth Sports Health Coordinator from the Brookside Community Health Center

Gary Palmieri (Franklin, MA) Teacher/Athletic Director from the Dorchester Education Complex

Lynn Quadrozzi (Pittsfield, MA) Athletic Director from Mt. Greylock Regional High School

Charles Valacer (Groton, MA) Coach/Health and Physical Education Teacher from Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

Melissa Zimmerman (Leyden, MA) recent graduate from Keene State College