GRADUATION2024
Conant graduates begin new journey
By ASHLEY SAARI MonadnockLedger-Transcript
Atotalof83ConantOrioles walkedthegraduationstageinthe PrattAuditoriumJune7toreceive theirdiplomasandbegintheirlives intheadultworld.
“We’veallaccomplishedoneofthe majormilestonesinourlives--high schoolgraduation.Thisisamajor stepinthejourneyofeachofour lives,andshouldberecognizedits significance,”saidValedictorian TimothyMacKay.“We’veallworked hardforthisday,andourworkdid notgotowaste.However,ourgraduationisnotanendgoal,butabeginningofalargerjourneyoflife,where doorsofopportunityareopentoall ofus.”
MacKayspokeofthechallenges facedandthewillpowerneededfor hisclassmatestoentertheirhigh
schoolcareersamidthechallengesof COVID,sayingthatgraduationisalreadyachallenge,withouttheadditionalstumblingblocksofremote learning.
But,hesaid,itisthoseexperiences thatshapedwhotheyaretoday.
“Eachobstaclewe’veovercome overthepast18yearsorsohas shapedusintotheindividualsweare
today,”MacKaysaid.Whetheritwas learningtocookandbakewithout startingfires,orlearningthatthemitochondriaisthepowerhouseofthe cell,MacKaysaidtheknowledge giventothembyConantwillcarry themforward.Andheencouraged hisclassnottolettheirgraduationbe theendoftheireducation,inwhateverformthattook.
“OnetipIwouldleavemyfellow graduatesistokeeplearning, whetheryoucontinueyoureducationintocollege,takeupatrade,go intoanewcareer,letuscarrywithus thelessonswelearned,thefriendshipswe’veforgedandthememorieswe’vecreated,”MacKaysaid.
ClassPresidentHaileyDuboissaid theclasshadarockystarttotheir highschoolcareer,losingtheir eighth-gradegraduationeventsto COVID,andfacedthosechallenges together.
“Wehaveshownitdoesn’tmatter whatishappeninginourlivesand
STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
Class President Hailey Dubois gives the farewell speech to her class.
theworldaroundus,butratherhow wechosetospendit,whichhasmade ourclassratherunforgettable,” Duboissaid.“Goingintohighschool, Ireallyhadnoideawhatthefutureof ourclasswouldlooklike,atatime whenourlifewassounpredictable. Eachandeveryoneofyouhave workedimmenselyhardtogetwhere youaretoday.”
Duboisencouragedherclassmates toembracenewthings,andtry thingsthatscaredthem.
“Theworstthatcanhappenfrom saying‘yes’isnothingtotheadvantagesthatcomefromit.Whatever journeyyoubeginaftertonight,Iencourageyoutostartswitching‘no’ witha‘yes.’Becauseitwilltruly bringmoremeaningtoyourlife,and youonlyhaveone,afterall,”Dubois said.
SalutatorianIrelyndAuCoin(who assuredherclassmatesthathermany tardieswereonlyduetohernightjob asacrimefighter)saidtheclasshas comealongwaytogether,from beingfreshmenterrifiedoftheseniors,whohaditallfiguredout,to beingthoseseniorsthemselves.
“Weknewinthebackofourminds thatwouldonedaybeus,butwe neverexpectedthatfuturetoget heresofast,”AuCoinsaid.
Shesaidlookingbackattheirtime inConant,fewstudentsmightrememberhowtosolveforX,butthe memoriestheymadewiththeir peerswillstaywiththem.
“Ifinallyunderstandwhyeveryonesaysgraduationisbittersweet.Yearsofmemoriesrushing throughourheadsaswewalkupto getourdiplomas,andthelingering thoughtthatwhenweleavethisgym tonight,weareofficiallyadultsinthe realworld,”AuCoinsaid.
Thechosenguestspeakerthisyear wasMorganBaker,thefamilyand consumerscienceteacher.Bakeradvisedtheclassthatnomatterwhat theirfutureheld,torollwiththe punches.
“ThegreatestpieceofadviceIhave foryouisthingsaren’talwaysgoing toworkoutthewayyouplanned, andthatisOK,”Bakersaid.
Hisownjourney,hesaid,involved workingmultiplejobs,someterrible, tomakeendsmeet,andastintina homelessshelterbeforefriendsassistedhimandhewasabletoreturn toschoolforamaster’sdegreeineducation.Eventhen,hesaidheintendedtoteachsocialstudies,not handoutknivestoagroupof30 middle-schoolersandeattheirundercookedpizza,ashefoundhimself doingthefirstyearhetaughtatConant.
“Iknowitcanbehardtofindhope inlifewhenyoufeellikeyourworld
iscrumblingaroundyou,”Bakersaid. “Inyourlife,youmaybefacedwith someoverwhelmingsituationsthat youdon’tknowhowtohandle.But someofthegreatestachievementsin lifehappenwhenyoufacethosesituationsandmakeitthrough.”
TheClassof2024werehigh achievers,saidPrincipalDavid Dustin.
“Youhaveleadersamongyouwho havepushedtheenvelopeofwhat canbedoneinservice,communitybuilding,academicsandsports. Moreofthisclassappliedforcollege onNHAppliesDaythanwehave everseenbefore.Moreofyou pushedyourselftoearnthedistinctionofNHScholarsthanwehave everseenbefore.MoreofyoucompletedCTEpathways,orconducted internshipsthanwehaveseenfor manyyears,”Dustinsaid.
Thatdrive,hesaid,wouldcarry themfar.
“Youhaveshownusthepotential youhaveshownusasindividualsand asaclass,andallofusareexcitedto seehowthatpotentialtranslatesinto realityinthefuture,”saidDustin.
AshleySaaricanbereachedat603924-7172,Ext.244,orasaari@ ledgertranscript.com.She’sonX@ AshleySaariMLT.Formorephotos,go toledgertranscript.com.
PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
The Class of 2024 awaits their diplomas.
Seniors honored during awards night
By ASHLEY SAARI MonadnockLedger-Transcript
Afterayearspentinonline learningthroughVLAX,Conant valedictorianTimothyMacKayreturnedtoin-personlearningatConantasasophomore,andoneofthe firstthingshedidwasjointhe school’sroboticsteam.
MacKay,18,ofRindge,hasalove forscience,technology,engineering andmath(STEM)courses,soit seemedanaturalfitforhim,hesaid, butatthetime,theclubwasnot drawinginmanystudents.MacKay wasonlyoneoftwostudentsonthe team,butoverhishighschoolcareer, theteamwasrebuilt,inpartdueto therecruitingeffortsofMacKay.
“WhenIjoined,Ihadnoideawhat Iwasgoingtodo,butafterjoining,it hasbecomesomethingthatIlikea lot,andbecameapassionofmine.I
startedtothinkthisiswhatI’mgoing todoafterhighschool,”MacKay said.
Inthefall,MacKaywillbecarrying thatloveofroboticstohischosen school,WorcesterPolytechnic, whereheplanstodouble-majorin roboticengineeringandmechanical engineering.Hesaidit’shisdreamto buildthings.
“Maybe,I’llbebuildingmoresustainablesolutionstotheproblems wehavetoday,”hesaid.
Inadditiontotheroboticsteam, MacKayisalsoamemberofthe school’sInteractClub,wherehehas doneabout70hoursofvolunteer work.Heisthepresidentofthe school’sNationalHonorSociety,and isamemberoftheConantGame Crew,whichvolunteersatsports games,withMacKayspecifically helpingtorunthelivestreamforthe school’sbasketballgames.Heis alsoamemberoftheLinkCrew, whichhelpstomentorincoming freshmen.
Duringthesummers,heworksat Kimball’sinJaffrey,whichheintendstodothissummerbefore leavingforcollege.
Irelynd Aucoin is salutatorian
Three-sportathleteIrelyndAucoinofRindgeisthisyear’ssalutatorianatConantMiddleHighSchool.
AlifelongresidentofRindge,Aucoinhasplayedsoftball,basketball andsoccerforallfouryearsofher highschoolcareer,withsoccerbeing hermainsport,asastarterforall fouryearsandteamcaptainfortwo.
AucoinisalsoamemberoftheNationalHonorSociety,theInteract ClubandtheStudentCouncil. Duringthesummer,shevolunteers atbasketballclinics,teachingskills tograde-schoolchildren,andvolunteersforWreathsAcrossAmerica, whichmakesandlayswreathson veterans’graves.
Duringherhighschoolcareer,she hasbeenontwointernationalser-
vicetrips,oneamissiontripto Guatemala,wheresheassistedinthe constructionofanorphanage,and
STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
Valedictorian Timothy MacKay.
Grads called to ‘embrace the new’
Class of 2024 includes 48 new graduates
By JESSECA TIMMONS MonadnockLedgerTranscript
Forty-eightgraduatesreceived theirdiplomasattheJune7graduationceremonyatMascenicHigh SchoolinNewIpswich.
AngelaMcCabe,anHonorsgraduatewhoisamemberoftheNationalHonorSociety,aNewHampshirescholar,andthestudentrepresentativetotheMascenicSchool Board, gavethewelcomingaddress fortheClassof2024.McCabe thankedtheMascenicstaff,includingcustodians,secretaries, andthecounselingdepartment,as wellasteachers,familyandfriends. McCabewillattendNashuaCommunityCollege.
SuperintendentChrisMartinre-
SEE MASCENIC PAGE 9
STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
Pandora Tilton, right, and Florence Schaumloffel.
flectedonmemoriesofherown graduationfromhighschoolin Manchester,andthelifelongimpact ofeducatorsinherlife,including herschoolthebanddirector.
“Nevermissanopportunityto thankthepeoplewhohaveinfluencedandhelpedyouinyourlife,” Martinsaid.“Alltheseyearsin school,youhaveallhadreport cards,tellingyouhowyou’vedone. Butwhatallifyoudowithourlives fromthispointon that’sourre-
portcard.AndIknowweareallin goodhandsasyoumoveintothe nextstageofyourlives.Youwill changetheworldwiththedecisions youmake.”
SalutatorianandClassPresident AmeliaSmith,anHonorsgraduate, amemberoftheNationalHonorSociety,anda NewHampshire scholar,whowillbeattendingDartmouthCollege, encouragedher classmatesto“gooutandtrulylive yourlives.”
“We80yearstobeadults,and
only18yearstobekids,”Smithsaid. “Thispastyear,thingsgotalotmore seriousforus,aswehadtomakebig decisions.Iwanttoremindallof youtoalsohaveagreattime.”
ValedictorianandClassSecretaryEmmaSchaumloffel, an Honorsgraduate,amemberofthe NationalHonorSociety,andNew Hampshirescholar,whowillattend theWentworthInstituteofTechnology, thankedthemainte-
ourschool.”
Reflectingontheyearsofhard workittooktobecomeValedictorian,Schaumloffelquotedmusician SnoopDogg:“Iwanttothankme, forneverquitting.”
ClassAdviserJeremyTaylorencouragedgraduatesto“embracethe new”throughouttheirlives.
“Youhavereachedtheedgesof youknowledge now.Challenge thoseedgesasyoumoveforward,” Asyouexpandyou knowledge,yourcallingwillcome.”
STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
A Mascenic senior hugs a loved one during graduation.
STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
Angelina McCabe gives the Class of 2024 welcome address.
MASCENIC
Mascenic Regional High School graduates
Thefollowingaremembersofthe Classof2024:
CeraAshour
RebeccaBeauregard
RickyBoucher
EmmaCargill
AlexisCaron
AdriannaCarver
SamuelCsikany
RyanDunlop
CamdenDunn
MitchellGardner
AidenGeorge
GracieGerman
CorinneGriffis
StetsonHammit
OliverHiott
AureeseHoneywell
AvaJohnson
EmmaJohnson
MatthewKane
ConnorKrichbaum
SkyeLambert
TylerLowe
StevenLussier
ChristianManning
MadisonMartin
AngelinaMcCabe
AutumnMcCarthy
LilaMcGraw
Mascenic students celebrate their Baccalaureate on May 28 at Cathedral of the Pines.
DominicMearls
CoreyMiller
JordanMyshrall
HaleyParkkonen
EleanorPearson
AlexanderPellerito
LukePelletier
VincentPelletier
LexxiPerreault
DavidPierson
DanielRawling
JacksonSasner
EmmaSchaumloffel
FlorenceSchaumloffel
AmeliaSmith
AuroraSousa
DrakeStevens
PandoraTilton
JuliannaTobey
DelaneyTraffie
PaytonVaillancourt
ColeWorth
Mascenic seniors recognized
me,it’sanoutlet.Goingonrunsis goodformymentalandphysical health,andit’smymainstress-reliever.”
By ASHLEY SAARI MonadnockLedger-Transcript
Four-sportathleteandStudent CouncilSecretaryEmma Schaumloffel,18,ofNewIpswichis thisyear’svaledictorianforMascenicRegionalHighSchool.
Schaumloffel,alongwithherfraternaltwinsisterFlorenceandtheir parents,movedtoNewIpswichinthe sixthgrade,andhavebeenwiththe districtsince.Sheparticipatedin cross-countryandwasthecaptainof theindoorandoutdoortrack teamsandtheswimteam.
“Inmiddleschool,allmyfriends wereincross-country,andIthought I’dgiveitatry,”Schaumloffelsaid.“I endedupfallinginlovewiththe sport,thetrainingandtheteam.For
Schaumloffelsaidshe’smotivated byboththeindividualnatureofthe sport,butalsothefactthatitisthe wholeteam’sperformancethatleads tooverallwins.Thisyear,Mascenic girls’cross-countrycappedoff Schaumloffel’ssenioryearwitha championshipwin,afterarunner-up seasonwhenshewasajunior.Shesaid itfeltlikeafull-circlemoment,after theteamhadalsohadaTri-County Championshiphergraduatingyear fromBoyntonMiddleSchool.
“Itfeltsogoodtocomeoutontop afterallthathardwork,”Schaumloffel said.
Inthefall,Schaumloffelintendsto attendtheWentworthInstituteof Technology,wheresheplanstorun onthecross-countryandtrackteams, whilepursuingadegreeincivilengi-
GRADUATE ‘GARDENS’
Class of 2024 urged to remember lessons from ‘Frog and Toad’
By ASHLEY SAARI MonadnockLedger-Transcript
UnderacloudyskyJune8, ConValRegionalHigh Schoolvaledictorian
NathanKloneltookhis classbacktogradeschool,reading hisclassandtheirassembledguests astoryfromArnoldLobel’sclassic children’sbooks,“FrogandToad.”
Specifically,Klonelread“The Garden,”fromthe“FrogandToad Together”collection.
“WhenIstartedwritingthis speech,Iwentthroughmanydrafts, strugglingtofindsomethingthat feltlikeme.Ifeltpressuretosay somethingprofound,yetIcouldn’t thinkofasinglethingmeaningful enoughforthismoment,”Klonel said.“ButifI’velearnedanything overthepastfouryearsofclasses, clubs,workandsports,it’sthatseriousthingscanbenefitfroma touchofunseriousness.”
Inthetale,FroggiftsToadsome seeds,afterToadadmiresFrog’s garden,lettinghimknowwithsome hardwork,he,too,canenjoya garden.Toadbeginshisgardening adventurebytryingtoberatehis seedsintogrowth,butaftersome guidancefromFrog,insteadtries readingstories,singingandreciting poetryuntiltheysprout.
“Thirteenyearsago,withthehelp
ofparents,teachersandfriends,we eachplantedourgardens.Walking intothefirstdayofkindergarten, webeganthehardworkofcoaxing themtogrow,”Klonelsaid.“Today, aswelookaround,weseethebeautifulgardenwehavecultivated, eachuniqueandflourishing.Aswe embarkonnewadventures,maybe wecancarrythelessonsofFrogand Toadwithus.Bepatient,bepersistent,andmostofall,takejoyinthe
process.Here’stoallthefuturegardenswewillgrow.”
PrincipalHeatherMcKillopalso usedapropinherfarewellspeech totheclass–acommemorative “ConVal2024”pillowthatshepurchasedatacraftfairintheclass’ sophomoreyear,herfirstyearas principal,withthenamesofthe prospectivegraduatesstitchedon theback.Shesaidsheinitiallyhesitatedtopurchaseit,becauseitcom-
memoratedaspecificclass,butthen saidsherealizedthesignificanceof thisclass.
“Irealizedthesharedexperience andthejourneywewereaboutto undertaketogether.Thispillow, withourgraduatingclass’snames, allofthem,stitchedonthebackof it,hasbeenaconstantreminderof alltheindividualsandtheincredibleresiliencyofthisclass,”
Ryann Carol Shippee
ConVal Regional High School
“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who do not believe in magic will never find it.”
-Roald
Dahl
Congratulations, Ryann! We know you will find the magic in whatever you choose!
So much love from Mom, Dad, Evan, Grace & Maddy
Our caps are off to the teachers!
For all your hard work throughout the years to ensure a successful graduation for so many students. Thank you from the
STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
Valedictorian Nathan Klonel recites the “Frog and Toad” tale “The Garden” as part of his graduation speech.
littlethings.
McKillopsaid.“Metaphorically,ithassupported me.Asapillow,ithasbeenbehindmeonmy deskchairforthepastthreeyears,asIalong withmydedicatedteamhasworkedtosupport you.”
Thewelcomespeakerfortheclass,Gabrielle Ramsden,alsothankedthepeopleinherlifethat hadhelpedshapeherandmakehergrow,includingherparentsforinstillingthevaluesofindependence,hardworkandfindingjoyinthe
“Allofushavepeoplewhohaveshapedus, today,takeamomenttothankthem.Thismay beourgraduation,butit’sabigmomentforthe peopleinourlives.Classof2024,bereadyto takeonthefuture,but,please,movingforward, don’tletgoofourpast,”Ramsdensaid.“Our preschool,kindergarten,elementaryschool, middleschoolandhighschoolhaveallheldtypicalmomentsofself-growthandhavegivenus strongfoundationstoleanon.Taketodaytore-
memberandreflect.”
Oneoftheclass’twosalutatorians, Liza Petrov,remindedherclassthatthereisnoone pathtosuccess,andtheydon’tneedtoknow rightnowwhatthefutureholds.
“Asweallworktobuildtheliveswewantto lead,wemustrealizethattimewillpassusby quickerthanwecaneverexpect.Don’thesitate totryoutanewhobby,changeyourcareertrajectory,traveltheworldordosomethingas
STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
The Class of 2024 walks to the graduation stage.
CONVAL FROM PAGE 12
simpleastryingadishyouhaven’t triedbefore,”Petrovsaid.“Tryto notputallofthesethingsonthe backburner,butifyoudo,knowthe Chineseproverb:‘Thebesttimeto plantatreeis20yearsago.The second-besttimeisnow.’”
ClassspeakerLucyJackson agreedthatwhetherornotstudents knewwhattheirnextstepwas,they haveplentyoftimetofigureitout.
“Someofusmayhaveaclear-cut planforwhatwewanttodointhe future,whilesomeofushaveno idea.Thebeautyofthatisthatyou don’tneedtoknow,”Jacksonsaid.“I hopeyoudon’tfeelthepressureto havetoknow.Whetheryouwillbe goingintotheworkforce,goinginto collegeoranyotherplan,Ibelieve allofushavethewilltosucceedin everyadventureandendeavorwe choose.”
Theclass’secondsalutatorian, EmmaRodenhiser,saidshehas beenreplying“I’mnotsureyet,” everytimeshe’sbeenaskedabout herfuture.Shesaidthatoneofthe lessonslearnedfromherfouryears inhighschoolisthattimecango toofast,andtoappreciatethemo-
ConVal grads and their ‘gardens’
mentswhiletheylinger.
“Timehastaughtmetwolessons overthepastfouryears.Thefirst oneisthatifyouarealways thinkingofwhat’sgoingtohappen
next,youaremissingthelittlemomentsthatyoumightappreciate later,”Rodenhisersaid.Thatleads tothesecondlesson–yourtime andyourmemoriesareablessing.”
AshleySaaricanbereachedat603924-7172,Ext.244,orasaari@ ledgertranscript.com.She’sonX@ AshleySaariMLT.Formorephotos,go toledgertranscript.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI
Laura Phillips receives the faculty award from Carolann Tebbetts and Karrie Mitschmyer.
ConVal High School Class of 2024
Thefollowingstudentsgraduatedfrom ConValHighSchoolin2024:
NariyahAcorn,BrookeAdelman,EvanAho, JakeAlonso,IsabelAndres,RileyBatty,Drake Bay,HannahBeisang,LoganBergeron,Briar Bethel,HaydenBickes,JustinBorges,KyaBourgoin,GillianBouthillette,JackBreda,Aiden Brissette,JackBurt,AnthonyCadwallader, AidanCampbell,ConnorCampbell,FaithCaron, EmilyCaseyHughes,RuthCassidy,SeanCattigan,SamuelChamberlin,AddysonCharron, AutumnCharron,RonanClough,Matthew Coburn,HunterContois,KalenaCooperand ChristopherCrowell.
Also,AidaDavis,AidenDemetrion,Jennae DeShane,TimothyDesmarais,Abigail Desrosiers,WilliamDodge,HenryDomingo Theriault,AugustenDreher,MakaelaDrummond,LandenDube,JoshuaEllis,TroyFedison, RoyceFerland,SethFowler,BrodenFrosch, MargaretFry,HunterGochee,ChristianHall, HunterHall,RoenneHanley,JohnHarris,Wyatt Harty,CharlotteHenderson,JaydenHendrickson,JacksonHenley,JessicaHenrikson, MilesHiggins,JenniferHopkins,DelaneyIngalls,JackIngram,LucyJackson,Francisco Jaimes,EstherJanisandSamuelJohnson.
Also,ZacharyKanawah,LibertyKemp,Caleb KleineNorford,NathanKlonel,KailiKozlowski, ElijahLacroix,SophiaLake,AllisonLarson,Aria Laurent,IvanLavoie,HannahLeahigh,Aidan
Learn,FrancisLeBlanc,AbigailLussier,Adeline Mackensen,AlexanderMacKenzie-Hartwell, TashaMacNeil,DavianMarshall,Andrea Mattson,EmeliaMayhew,AidanMcClusky,Eric McGrath,TaylorMcGrath,AeronMcKinnon, AlejandraMorales,EllaMorrisandMackenzie Mullins.
Also,MorganNorby,RyanO'Connor,Beau Olesky,SolomonPage,OwenPalmer,Henry Paradise,WilliamParker,ZacharyPease,Colin Pellettieri,DeseanPenny,ElizabethPetrov, LauraPhillips,KermitPope,GabrielleRamsden, WyattRautiola,CadenRobbins,EliseRobbins, EmmaRodenhiser,AlecRogers,MackenzieRoy, EllenRupp,CohenSanborn,CharlesSavage,Mia Schwab,MakilaSestito,SerafinaSeymour, SkylerShawgo,RosemaryShifflett,Ryann Shippee,ColtonShort,AshlynSlossar,Hunter Slossar,AdysonSpiller,AndrewSt.Cyr,Paytra Stacy,IsabellaStarr,AverySteere,Isabella Stehly,KiaraStephenson,ShaelanStetzer, KaitlynStone,RobertStoneandAnnikaStowell. Also,BrodyThompson,LiasiahTorres, DaniellaTracy,EmmaVanGemert,Madeline VanBlarigan,EmilyVanderpool,SarahWalker, NatashaWarren,JasonWay,ColtonWebb, HunterWheaton,ZackeryWheaton,Griffin Whelan,ChloeWhicker,LucilleWhite,Uilliam Wilmoth,SavannahWilson,EvanWloszczyna, JasmineWoodhouse,JosephYoungandPaige Yusza.
ConVal salutes student excellence
ConValHighSchoolhostedtheannual AwardsandScholarshipNightJune5atConVal HighSchool.Thefollowingstudentsreceived awards:
Salutatorian–ElizabethPetrov.
Salutatorian–EmmaRodenhiser.
Valedictorian–NathanKlonel.
ConValLibraryAward–AbigailDesrosiers, LauraPhillipsandMakilaSestito.
CougarCourageAward–AbigailLussier. FemaleAthleteoftheYear–TashaMacNeil. MaleAthleteoftheYear JackHarris. SportspersonAward–BrodenFrosch. SportspersonAward–EmmaRodenhiser. VolunteeroftheYearAward–KimPage. NHIAAThree-SportAthlete–JakeAlonso, AbigailLussier,JackIngram,NathanKlonel, TashaMacNeilandKalenaCooper.
AchievementBookAwardSeniors–Laura Phillips,RuthCassidyandMargaretFry.
ArtAwardJuniors–JackBurt,BriannaMyers andKyleAustin.
ArtAwardSophomores–Judah Cyr-Underwood,FallynWeeks, MackenzieSazonickandAidan Marony.
ArtAwardFreshmen–Piper Bernier,FelixHannahandMaddy Drummond.
ATCAward:OutstandingBusinessStudentAward–EmmaRodenhiserandJessicaHenrikson.
ATCAward:OutstandingCareers andEducationStudentAward–Ella MorrisandMaddyDesrosiers.
ATCAward:OutstandingTeacher Education,MultipleLevelsAward –IsabelAndres.
ATCAward:OutstandingDigital Photo&VideoStudentAward–JenniferHopkinsandAlistonBolton.
ATCAward:OutstandingGraphic DesignStudentAward--JennaDeShaneandDeseanPenny(typewriter).
ATCAward:OutstandingWoodworking&ManufacturingStudent Award–RyanO’ConnorandJenna Bergeron.
ATCAward:OutstandingComputerProgramming–WyattHarty andThomasFlynn.
EdithBirdBassEssayContestfirst –RuthCassidy.
EdithBirdBassEssayContest second–AshleyBiathrow.
EdithBirdBassEssayContest
third–SophiaLake.
EnglishAward:Senior–Gus Dreher.
EnglishAward:Junior–Emily Steinberg.
EnglishAward:Sophomore–VinnieYoungandJaydenMerchant.
EnglishAward:Freshman–Sarah ParadiseandSelenaWoodhouse.
PerseveranceAward–Aeron McKinnon.
DartmouthBookAward–Elliana Howard.
HarvardBookAward:Boston–SukiZhang.
HarvardBookAward:NH–AnneliseStrong.
NHHumanitiesCouncil–CharlotteMurphy.
SmithBookAward–Isabelle Jobin.
WilliamsCollegeBookAward–JackHarris.
YaleBookAward–MaeveFinn.
JohnSullivanBookAward–Aida DavisandRuthCassidy.
LucyHurlinTheatreAward–AdelineMackensen.
Health&Wellness1–Brett Davies.
Health&Wellness2–Abigail Lussier.
WellnessElective–RuthCassidy.
MathAward:Senior–Jack Harris.
MathAward:Junior–Josh
Decker.
MathAward:Sophomore –Clara Wilsher.
MathAward:Freshman–Harlan Bielagus.
ConcertBandAward–AndrewSt. Cyr.
NationalChoralAward–Esther JanisandBeauOlesky.
JazzBand–AndrewSt.Cyrand EvanWloszczyna.
Bausch&LombHonoraryScience Award–AshleyBiathrow.
ScienceAward:Senior–Hannah Beisang.
ScienceAward:Junior–Amanda Bergeron.
ScienceAward:Sophomore–HeidiBellandEvaWilliams.
ScienceAward:Freshman–Olivia HealeyandAvaVanHorn.
VirginiaApgarBookAward–Aria Laurent.
SocialStudiesAchievement Award:Senior–WyattHarty.
SocialStudiesAchievement Award:Junior AbbyRodenhiser.
SocialStudiesAchievement Award:Sophomore–LiamArmstrong.
SocialStudiesAchievement Award:Freshman–JennaBergeron.
German1–MeganMillbauer.
German2–ThomasFlynn.
German3--AdelineRegis.
German4–KaiReitnauer.
AdvancedPlacementGerman–IzzyJobin.
GermanSeniorAward--Jennifer Hopkins.
Spanish1–RileyBatty.
Spanish2–AlyssaHamlin.
Spanish3–DestineyJimenez.
Spanish4–CalebKleineNorford. AdvancedPlacementSpanish–LauraPhillips.
SpanishSeniorAward–Charles Savage.
SociedadHonorariaHispánica Award–LauraPhillips.
NHAWLTAwardofExcellence: Spanish–RuthieCassidy.
NHAWLTAwardofExcellence: German–NathanKlonel.
NHSealOfBiliteracy–Jennifer Hopkins,LauraPhillips,Caleb KleineNorford,RuthieCassidyand FransicoJames.
AlfredUniversity“OutsideofOrdinary”ScholarshipOpportunity–WiliamSimard.
Bowdoin–JoshDecker.
ClarksonAchievementAward–BrynnFrosch.
ClarksonLeadershipAward–TaylorOuellette.
Endicott–AmandaBergeron. LeMoyne–AshleyBiathrow. RensselaerMedal–Anneliese Strong.
RochesterInstituteofTechnology
ConVal salutes excellence
ArtandDesignaward--KalynRoss. RochesterInstituteofTechnologyBusinessandLeadership–RomanCadwallader.
RochesterInstituteofTechnologyHumanitiesandSocialSciences–ElizaBull.
RochesterInstituteofTechnology ScienceandMathAward–Suki Zhang.
RochesterInstituteofTechnologyWomeninSTEM–Maya Bennett.
RochesterInstituteofTechnology ComputingAward–JasonBouyounes.
RochesterFrederickDouglassand SusanBAnthony–ZoeyLazzaro. RochesterGeorgeEastmanYoung –KaiReitnauer.
RochesterXeroxAward–Dylan Farrell.
SalemStateUniversity–Riley Pitchard.
SocietyofWomeninEngineering MeritCertificate–ElizabethPetrov. SocietyofWomeninEngineering
MeritCertificate–HaydenBickes. SocietyofWomeninEngineering
MeritCertificate–LucyJackson.
StLawrence–LibbyNadeau.
StMichael'sCollege–GraceM. O’Brien.
StMichael'sCollege–Evan Martus.
St.Anselm's–EllianaHoward.
StetsonUniversity–Brooke Johnson.
SuffolkUniversity–ClaraChristensen.
TulaneUniversity–AbigailRodenhieser.
UniversityofVirginia–Maeve Finn.
WilliamandMary–Isabelle Jobin.
WorcesterPolytechnicInstitute (female)–MerritKotula.
MarineAward:musicMatty Palmer.
MarineAward:music–Gabriel DuPuy.
MarineAward:achievement–SamMoritz.
MarineAward:achievement–IsabelleSchmidt.
MarineAward:athletics–Garret Rousseau.
MarineAward:athletics–Avery Moore.
NationalHonorSociety–Aida Davis,LucyJackson,LauraPhillips, JennaeDeshane,NathanKlonel, EliseRobbins,JackHarris,Sophia Lake,EmmaRodenhiser,Charlotte Henderson, ElizabethPetrovand CharlieSavage.
Big day for small class
Class of 27 students remembers adapting through COVID
By CAMERON CASHMAN MonadnockLedger-Transcript
Wilton-Lyndeborough’sgraduationceremonyJune7wasspecial forthisyear’sgraduatingclass, whoendedtheirmiddleschool journeyatthebeginningofthe COVID-19pandemic,quarantined athome,andthereforemissedout onaformaleighth-gradegraduationceremony.
Theclass’adaptabilityintheface ofuncertaintywasforemoston speakers’mindsduringtheceremony.
“Iwon’tsayit’salwaysbeeneasy –butman,wasitajourney.Ican’t overlookoneofourgreatestchallenges,COVID,”saidTylerGill,
Compassionate Cremation Services of New Hampshire
presidentoftheClassof2024.“I cantellyouwe’reoneofthemostadaptablegroupofstudentsyou’ll evermeet.Imean,wemadeit throughoneoftheworld’scraziest, unknownmomentsandwe’resittingherebeforeyoureadytotake ontheworldandwhateverchallengesitthrowsatus.”
Gillemphasizedtheclass’resilienceinspiteofitsunusually smallsize;WLCisgraduatingonly 27seniorsthisyear,towhichGill commented,“I’msurewe’rethe smallestgraduatingclassmanyof youhaveeverseen.”Forthepast fouryears,theWLCgraduating classhashadmorethan30seniors,
Locally owned and operated, caring for your family with compassion Peace of mind worry free cremations The only green crematorium in New Hampshire
COURTESY PHOTO BY CONVAL HIGH SCHOOL/HELFRIED ZRZAVY
Mathematics Department leader Sam Winslow presents the Senior Math Award to Jack Harris.
CONVAL
Tu e s d a y , June18 , 2024
Big day for small WLC class
exceptin2020,whentherewere 29.
SchoolBoardChairDennis GoldingechoedGill’scomments.
“AstheClassof2024,you’veenduredquiteabitduringyour journeyatWLC.Youdid,likeTyler stated,havetodealwiththeCOVID pandemic,”hesaid.“You’vebeen throughfourprincipalsandteacher turnoverlikewe’veneverexperiencedinourdistrict.Yetthroughall ofthisyoukeptworking,moving forward,persevering.”
SalutatorianAudraRizzutohighlightedherloveforthesmallbut tight-knitWLCcommunity.
“Inthissmalltown,notoneofus couldhavereachedthispointalone. Itrulybelievethatit’soursmall communitythatmakesusunique. Wearepiecedtogetherbytheencouragement,belief,empathyand kindnessfromthosewhohavesupportedus–whetherit’ssomeone whotaughtustodream,explainthe world’scomplexities,orsimplytold uswecoulddoitwhenitseemed impossible.Weoweyouourgratitude,”shesaid.
Rizzutosharedsomeofherfa-
shesaid.“AtWLC,theteacherscare aboutyouasapersonbecauseitisa smallschool–theyhavethetimeto giveeachstudenttheattentionthey need,andthey’lltakethetimetoget toknowyou.Comingfromabig schoolinFloridatoourlittletownof Wilton,thesemomentsweresomethingIdidn’texpecttoexperience.”
TheClassof2024presentedclass giftstoseveralstaffmembers.They recognizedschoolcounselingsecretaryandregistrarSharonCoffey, AssistantPrincipalKatieGosselin, PrincipalTomRonning,administrativeassistantLindaDraperand middleschoolEnglishteacherLaura Bujak.
voritememoriesfromhertimeat WLC,includingsixth-gradeecology schoolatFerryBeachinMaine, where“TyandLevigotuskickedoff theplayground,”orinsophomore yearwhenshe“smuggledbabybunniesintoschoolinmybackpack.Or junioryearwhenAlexblewupMs. Clark’smicrowavewithhismacand cheese.”
ValedictorianKayBozarthdescribedherexperiencemoving fromalargeFloridahighschoolto WLC,amuchsmallerschool.
“Iwouldlovetolookbackatallof thefunmomentswehadasaclass thisyear,liketheMonadnockhike andtheskitrip.Ithinkweallgotto bondasweclimbedthatmountain andlearnedtoskiandsnowboard,”
RonningalsorecognizedRobert Hanniganforhisplanstoservein theNavy,andfamilyandconsumer scienceteacherOlympiaClarkfor her30yearsofservicetoWLC.
“Duringthistime,she’scultivated manystudentrelationships,”he said.“Justtheotherday,Ihadparentsinquiringiftheirchildwould haveMs.Clark.Havingtaughtthem, theywerehopefulthatshewould teachtheirchildren.”
Formorephotos,seeledgertranscript.com.
WLC FROM PAGE 17
PHOTO COURTESY LYNNE KENNEDY CROUSE
The Wilton-Lyndeborough Class of 2024.
PHOTO COURTESY LYNNE KENNEDY CROUSE
WLC PrincipalTom Ronning hugsretiring instructor OlympiaClark after presenting her with a gift.
Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative grads
Thefollowingstudentsare membersoftheWilton-LyndeboroughCooperativeHigh SchoolClassof2024:
ChloeAbbott
MakennaBasile
AdrianaBausha
NathanielBoulanger
KayanBozarth
NaomiBozarth
MadisonBurnett
AidanCarver
HollyChurch
TyeCollins
SavanahDubois
NicholasFantasia
TylerGill
KirstenGoodale
LeviGrainger
RobertHannigan
NaliiaIngallina-Courtemanche
PaigeJohnson
BrooklynLetawski
ChloeLevesque
AlexanderNelson
JacobPhillips
CameronPixley
AudraRizzuto
KaylaSours
AndrewSweeney
VincentWhite
WLC 2024 Summa
Cum Laude
KayanBozarth(Valedictorian)
AudraRizzuto(Salutatorian)
ChloeAbbott
AdrianaBausha
SavannahDubois
WLC 2024 New Hampshire Scholars
AdrianaBausha
KayanBozarth
NaomiBozarth
CameronPixley
WLC 2024 National Honor Society
AdrianBausha
KayanBozarth
SavannahDubois
CameronPixley
AudraRizzuto
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John Adams March 21, 1931 - April 11, 2023
Valedictorian Kayan Bozarth and salutatorian Audra Rizzuto.
south meadow school
Silegy leaves a long legacy
Longtime athletic director is retiring at end of school year
By JESSECA TIMMONS MonadnockLedger-Transcript
It’stheendofaneraatSouth MeadowSchoolinPeterborough,aslongtimeAthleticDirectorTodSilegy,knownto thousandsofchildrenthroughout theregionsimplyas“Sil,”willretire attheendofthisschoolyear.
“Peopleaskme,whyamI leaving?”Silegysaid.“Andtheansweris,I’mnotsure.But24yearsis alongtime.IwanttoleavewhenI stillhavetimeforanewchapter. We’llseewhatcomesnext.”
Silegy’slonglegacyatSouth MeadowSchoolisreflectedinthe ceilingofthegym.Dozensofchampionshipbannersfromalmost everysporthangfromthebeams,
skiteamasaneighth-grader.He wentontoletterinthreesportsa year,allfouryears.SilegycontinuedhissportscareeratKeene State,asafour-year,three-season athleteinsoccer,basketballand baseball.
Aftergraduation,Silegyjoined thecoachingstaffatFranklin Pierce,wherehecoachedeightconsecutiveNCAADivisionIImen’s soccertournamentteams,including thenationalsemifinalsin1991. For 24years,Silegywastheheadmen’s soccercoachatFranklinPierce,as wellascoachoftheNordicand alpineskiteams,assistantbasketballcoachandgolfandsoftball coach.Hewasinductedintothe FranklinPierceAthleticsHallof Fameasacoachin2009.
includingaspecialbannerdedicatedtoSilegyonthelastdayof soccerseasoninfall2023.
“ComingtoSMSwasthebest thingthateverhappenedtome,”Si-
legysaid.
Silegygraduatedfromthefirst classatConValHighSchoolin 1971.HisConValathleticcareer startedwhenhemadethevarsity
SilegyjoinedthestaffatSMSafter anoldschoolfriendcalledattold himtherewasasoccercoachpositionopenintheConValdistrict.
STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
Tod Silegy reflects on 24 years of memories at SMS.
COURTESY PHOTO CONVAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Tod “Sil” Silegy with five eighth-grade softball players at South Meadow Middle School in spring 2024.
Students bid farewell to long-time counselor
By ASHLEY SAARI MonadnockLedger-Transcript
RindgeMemorialSchoolcounselorDianeBushcappedoffher25yearcareerintheJaffrey-Rindge SchoolDistrictthisyear,headingto aretirementwhereshehopestofulfillhertravelingdreams.
DuringthelastweekofMay,the schoolheldamomentofappreciationforBush,comingtogetherin theschoolgymtocelebrateheras shepreparesforherretirementat theendoftheyear.ChildrenpresentedBushwithcardsandbooks.
Bush,originallyfromNewYork, firstfoundherinterestincounseling atSyracuseUniversity,whereshe workedwhilegettinghermaster’s degree.Shehadanundergraduate degreeingeographyandurbanplanning,andwasworkingasanadministrativeassistantatSyracuse.She eventuallystartedworkinginthe studentservicesofficeswithstudentswhoneededacademicguidanceorhelpwithfinancialaid.
Sheworkedherselfuptoanadministrativecounselorwhile earninghermaster’sincounseling andguidance–earningtheaccolade solongagothatherprofessionwas stillreferredtoas“guidancecounselor,”nowanoutdatedterm,Bush joked.
Followinghergraduationfrom Syracuse,Bushworkedforayearas adrugandalcoholcounselor,before
movingtoNewHampshireand workingasaschoolcounselorin HinsdaleElementarySchoolfor eightyearsandthenbecomingthe counselorforwhatwasthenJaffreyRindgeCooperativeMiddleSchool. Sheheldthatpositionforabout20 years,beforetheschoolrestructured.
Bushcouldhavebecomethehigh schoolcounselor,butbecausethe elementarycounseloratthetime wasretiringandherpreviouselementaryschoolexperience,sheinsteadbecamethecounselorfor RindgeMemorialSchool,whereshe hasbeenforthepastfiveyears.
Bushsaidthesaddestpartofretirementissayinggoodbyetothe manychildrenshehashelpedadvise overtheyears.
“Thelearners,thestudents,hands down,”Bushsaidofwhatshe’llmiss themost.“I’vemetsomanywonderfulyoungpeopleandmadeso manyconnections.Iwillsomiss them.Theysurprisemeeveryday withtheirpotential,caringandcuriosity.Ijustenjoyworkingwith children,Ilikethatone-on-oneor smallgroupwork.”
Bushsaidthatinherretirement, she’llbetraveling,aloveshehas longheld,butwasoftenhinderedby havingtoworkaroundschoolvacations.Shealreadyhastwotrips planned,oneatourinOctoberthat willincludeBosnia,Albania,MontenegroandCroatia,alongwitha visittoIndiathiswinter.
“Ilovetotravel;that’smygeographydegreekickingin,”Bushsaid.
Realtors honor local students
TheContoocookValleyBoardof Realtorshasawardedfive$1,100 scholarshipstomembersofthe Classof2024:SophiaLakeofConVal HighSchool,ArudraRizzutoof Wilton-LyndeboroughCooperative MiddleHighSchool,MadelynBergeronofConantMiddleHighSchool, MadisonLaneofHillsboroughDeeringHighSchoolandEmma SpencerSchaumloffelofMascenic HighSchool.
Mason students graduate from Milford
ThefollowingMasonresidents graduatedfromMilfordHighSchool: HaileyMarieCrooker
Thescholarshipwassetupto commemoratetheworksof LawrenceDugginofDugginsRealty inHillsborough,thefirstCVBR president,andGeorgeSullivan,who wasapartnerintheMonadnock TitleCompany.Applicantsarereviewedforworkhistory,community andschoolinvolvementandentrepreneurship.Thisawardisopen tothosecontinuingintradeschool orpost-secondaryeducation.
HarleeLynneDeVincentis
CameronMichaelHarris
MollySuzanneOlson
KaileyAnnSte.Marie
MadysonReneWiggin
TroyCoadyWilliams
LoganRussellWoods
Dublin School Class of 2024
DublinSchoolgraduateswiththeirpost-highschoolplans,fromleft,(front)Grace Wolaver(CurryCollege),AnnalesePatrick (UniversityofRhodeIsland),Hannah Rothenberg (Colby College), Samantha Wicknertz (Ringing College of Art), Gejun Liao(Ohio StateUniversity), QixuanTang (Schoolof VisualArts), HenryMackin (Universityof Denver),Margaret Chioffi(BowdoinCollege), ClaraSmith (Connecticut College), Rachel Hoffman(Connecticut College), Grace Burnett (University ofNew Hampshire), SamanthaKaufman (Smith College),Talita Jada (Cottey College),Clementine Wilson (Universityof St.Andrew’s), Alexandra Beltran (Royal Holloway, University of London), Ellie Hradecky (Hofstra University),Madison Lefebvre(Northeastern University),Campbell Meyer (Elon University),GraceBornhorst(UniversityofVermont),EveHicks(UniversityofNew Hampshire), Eleanor Snyder (UMassAmherst), Lucas Blohm-Villanueva (Oberlin College), MarinaDu Verlie(Connecticut College),Fae Rosica(University of Vermont),Mara McQuirter(OccidentalCollege),(middle) BennettParnell (gap year),LilianneTullio(OberlinCollge),AlessandraSalve(UniversityofConnecticut), DylanTeper(UniversityofMichigan),VivianBohan(OccidentalCollege),ZoeOrtiz (Boston College),Mekoya Sandback (Syracuse University),Ava Rondeau (University of New Hampshire), Katherine Berube (University of Kentucky), ShannonCooper(Dickinson College),JudyLi(UMass Lowell),(back)Christopher Allaire (MuhlenbergCollege), BlakeFriesen (Universityof Connecticut), Isaac Fikru(Northeastern University),Ethan Doane(ElonUniversity), MericGrenier (Dickson College), Connor Roberts (gap year/UNH), Owen Caron (Plymouth State University), Jianxiong Sun(University of California, Davis),Juniper Fiffer (Rochester Institute ofTechnology), Maximilian Franceschi (Universityof St. Andrew’s), Oliver Wilson(Bates College), Luca Bacigalupo(NASCAR Technical Institute), Benjamin Goldmark (Syracuse University), Jack Roche (University of Vermont) and Mazeo McCray (University of Colorado Denver).
Diane Bush has been with JaffreyRindge School District for 25 years
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Rindge MemorialSchool studentsgive cardsand giftsto schoolcounselor
Diane Bush during an assembly of appreciation.
Victory High School graduates
ThegraduatingseniorclassofVictory HighSchoolinJaffrey.Fromleft,(front) are CailynNicolet, Carly Pelky, valedictorian MaliaMuhonen, salutatorian
Brooke Seppala, RaynaOlson, Miranda Fiore, (back) GrantKetola, Jimmie Hennessy, HunterDesrosiers, EmmanuelHodgson, ConnorRivard, Draven Seppala, Marcus Somero and Isaiah Nero.
Dublin
Brooke Landry, WilliamBrown, Chad Russell, Harold Doremus, David Feng, Daniel Yu, (front) Anna Paquin, Leslie Rurangwa, Gabriella Rossall, Courtney Brown, Cindy Lin and Esther Wang.
Dublin Christian Academy graduates
ThefollowingstudentsaremembersoftheDublinChristian AcademyClassof2024:
Valedictorian–CourtneyBrown ofNewIpswich.
Salutatorian–WilliamBrownof NewIpswich.
HaroldDoremusofJaffrey. Zimin(David)FengofChina.
High Mowing School graduates
Thefollowingstudentsare membersoftheClassof 2024atHighMowing SchoolinWilton:
SofiaAbreu
AndreArsenault
LaurenBarber
AlessandroBrondino
PhilipBuchanan
Zebulun(Zeb)Byaruhanga
IsaacClose
MaeveCoyle
ArthurDias
TianyiDuan
LottaEngstrom
SydneyFrias
TelmoGalarraga
GeorgiaGieschen
RowanGoho
ReedGoulet
SabrinaGray
JuneGriffin
TaliaGrossman
BrookeLandryofDublin.
Shuchang(Cindy)LinofChina.
AnnaPaquinofDublin.
GabriellaRossallofKeene.
LeslieRurangwaofRwanda.
ChadRussellofGardner,Mass.
Yazhi(Esther)WangofChina.
Nanfeng(Daniel)YuofChina.
OmarJimenez
AlexKennedy
MasaiMarchan
BodenMennis
MichaelMonaghan
EdenMoon
AlejandroMurattiRolon
MaddieMurch
FridahMwaghania
ZeinMwakitawa
ClaraNevers
DorianNickel
TristanRoth
MarenSaich
LakhiSaluja
StefanSandu
CalebSantos
TimothyMiguelSarrosa
IvySlater
RyanvanderSluijs
SimoneVermiglio
JordanWaiganjo
AndrewWalubengo
SeanWaweru
GabrielleZielie
PHOTO BY EMARI TRAFFIE
High Mowing School’s graduating Class of 2024.
PHOTO COURTESY DUBLIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Christian Academy’s Class of 2024 graduated on Saturday, June 1. From left, (back) are
