Eleven New Hampshire High School Students Awarded LGC Scholarships

Eleven high school seniors have each been awarded a $750 scholarship from New Hampshire Local Government Center (LGC) as part of its annual John B. Andrews Scholarship Program. The scholarships are funded with proceeds from LGC’s Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament and benefit children of New Hampshire municipal, school, county or village district employees and officials of any unit of local government that is a participant in LGC services.

Seventy-nine scholarship applications, representing 47 New Hampshire high schools, were received this past winter for review by LGC board members who represent municipalities from throughout the state. Applicants were judged on academic achievement, extracurricular school activities, community service and letters of reference along with an essay titled How the Economy has Impacted the Budget and Services of My Community or School District. “The accomplishments of this year’s talented scholarship awardees are extremely impressive,” said LGC’s Interim Executive Director Maura Carroll. “The Local Government Center’s employees and board members are proud that future generations of local leaders can benefit from higher education with assistance from our scholarship program,” she added.

More than $48,000 in higher education awards has been given to high school seniors by LGC’s scholarship program since its inception in 2005. Following are essay excerpts from this year’s John B. Andrews Scholarship awardees on the theme How the Economy has Impacted the Budget and Services of My Community or School District.

“We have learned that less can accomplish more, as we now use our materials to the fullest potential they offer. Scrap paper that was once tossed aside is now used in a productive manner. It has taught us valuable lessons about managing money and utilizing things that we may have simply discarded previously.”

Samantha Arsenault, Epping, NH
Epping High School senior; daughter of Paraprofessional Stephanie Arsenault, Epping School District, and Math Teacher Paul Arsenault, Sanborn Regional School District

“Fewer teaching materials, room supplies and field trips are to be expected in the future. Cuts and reductions are being proposed left and right, all in the name of economic security. The school board and administration are under a lot of pressure to adjust their spending in response to the economic downturn.”

Emily Alana Burke, Moultonborough, NH
Moultonborough Academy senior; daughter of Teacher William J. Burke, Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District

“The town meetings still sport a large crowd, but with less adamancy and shouting of opinion. …Neighbors are sharing food, supplies, clothing and those who remain employed donate generously. The high school basketball games overflow with spectators. It is … a place for the whole community to gather, cheer and rally together.”

Joseph Cassady, Groveton, NH
Groveton High School senior; son of Town Mechanic Glenn Cassady, Groveton Highway Department

“Here in the ConVal School District, we are at a stalemate, with teachers feeling unappreciated, with the voters not able to feasibly reward the teachers, and with the students not receiving the after-school help and ‘extra something’ that make them feel motivated and good about their education.”

Emily Eng, Hancock, NH
ConVal High School senior; daughter of Administrative Assistant Ann Eng, ConVal School District

“The school buildings in Salem, New Hampshire are in dire need of maintenance and upkeep. Office machines and school equipment such as computers and science lab supplies are outdated and broken. The list of repairs is endless. As a result, it is safe to say that the students of Salem, New Hampshire are being left behind.”

Samuel K. Fazioli, Salem, NH
Salem High School senior; son of Secretary Carol A. Fazioli, Salem School District

“Our town has had to deal with budget cuts, home foreclosures, job losses and personal tragedies as a result of the economy, but my hope is that we won’t lose what small town America is known for and that is heart. I will continue to love where I was raised and do what I can to make a difference in the world with a college education.”

Christine Alycia Gadwah, Groveton, NH
Groveton High School senior; daughter of Paraprofessional Raina Gadwah, Northumberland School District

“As the daughter of a thirty-year veteran of the Conservation Commission, I have heard my fair share of controversy surrounding the protection of open land in our hometown. With the economic downturn, we have been faced with both fewer donations and fewer government grants. The lands … provide clean air and water for the townspeople.…”

Margaret Harrington, Londonderry, NH
Londonderry High School senior; daughter of Vice-chair Eugene Harrington, Londonderry Conservation Commission

“Students of Service, also known as SOS, is an organization that raises money to feed the less fortunate families in our school district during the holiday season. The change in economy has impacted this community service organization greatly by creating a larger need for assistance and a lesser ability for others to contribute and help.”

Kelsey D. Hutchinson, Plaistow, NH
Timberlane Regional High School senior; daughter of Firefighter Don Hutchinson, Plaistow Fire Department

“…Hillsborough has a food pantry right in town for families that are in difficult situations …When the economy went down, the demand for the pantry shot up. The building that housed the food pantry was in bad shape … community members saw this need and began fundraising … today we have a brand new building.”

Alexa LoMonaco, Hillsborough, NH
Hillsboro-Deering High School senior; daughter of Bookkeeper Lauralee LoMonaco, Town of Hillsborough

“… lack of funding can quickly force students to become more environmentally friendly. Students are required to print necessary materials only … to conserve paper … to turn off computer monitors and room lights when they leave rooms and that not only helps the school’s wallet but, if transferred home, can be a great habit as well.”

Trevor Rancourt, Nashua, NH
Nashua High School North senior; son of Art Teacher Lisa Rancourt, Mont Vernon Village and Lyndeborough Central schools

“An outdoor classroom, a library for pre-schoolers, a gym that is now an auditorium …and a program that welcomes and embraces children who have challenges with learning—programs and services that might never have happened if this small town had not become actively involved in supporting its youngest constituents.”

Katherine Stiles, Chichester, NH
Pembroke Academy senior; daughter of Principal Pamela Stiles, Chichester Central School

Congratulations and best of luck, scholars!