PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) student Marlena Pellon has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Brad Leidich Memorial Scholarship, with an award of $1,500. 

 

She is the first BCC student and the first in New England to win the prestigious award.  

 

The scholarship is presented to a first-generation student enrolled in an associate degree program in respiratory therapy. The winner has shown exemplary academic performance and has demonstrated a commitment to his or her career goals, as well as scholarly and community activities in respiratory care. 

 

"I am so humbled that I was chosen. It really made me reflect on my hard work ethic, my drive and my attitude of always striving to be better than average," Pellon said. "As a first-generation college student, this recognition is a meaningful milestone. It affirms both my academic dedication and professional aspirations, while also reminding me of the encouragement I have received from those who champion future respiratory therapists."  

 

Pellon graduated BCC in mid-December 2025 with an associate degree in respiratory care. She said the award will "significantly ease the financial pressures that often accompany rigorous study." 

 

During Covid, Pellon worked as a patient attendant, an experience that made her realize she had missed her calling.   

 

"I spent 30 years working in business administration and never really felt that what I did made a difference, but providing patient care gave me a sense of pride and made me feel like I was really helping someone," she says. She began taking classes at BCC to explore health sciences, and it was professor Maggie Goss piqued her interest in respiratory care. She is now studying for board exams and plans to work as a respiratory therapist.  

 

As a first-gen student, Pellon said she is proud of her accomplishments. 

 

"I'm extremely proud that I'm the first person in my family to graduate college. Unfortunately, my parents did not have the mindset to encourage higher education, but I never once let that get me down," she said. "I always strive to be the best I can be in order to achieve my goals."  

 

Pellon resides in Pownal, Vt. with her husband of 29 years, Steven. She has two grown children, Matthew and Antonia.