BHS graduate spends college break woking at Habitat for Humanity
PROVIDENCE, RI - Alyssa Kinney, a resident of Berlin and a member of the class of 2016 at Providence College, recently spent a week working with Habitat for Humanity as part of the College's Alternative Spring Break 2013 program.
Kinney was among more than 230 Providence College students who volunteered to spend their spring break working at Habitat home sites in 16 locations in the United States. They participated through the Habitat campus chapter at Providence College, which is sponsored by the chaplain's office. Kinney worked on a home project in Goldsboro, NC.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter and other volunteers who work through more than 1,900 affiliates worldwide.
Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.
Kinney was among more than 230 Providence College students who volunteered to spend their spring break working at Habitat home sites in 16 locations in the United States. They participated through the Habitat campus chapter at Providence College, which is sponsored by the chaplain's office. Kinney worked on a home project in Goldsboro, NC.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter and other volunteers who work through more than 1,900 affiliates worldwide.
Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 19:33
Hits: 118
Local students accepted at WMCC
Written by Rose Dodge
The office of Student Affairs at White Mountains Community College recently announced the following students have been accepted to the college.
Morgan Boucher has been accepted in the Teacher Education program for the academic year 2013. Boucher is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School where she participates in the National Honor Society, Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Softball and Dance. Currently, Boucher is employed at Tea Birds Cafe and Restaurant in Berlin as a waitress. She is the daughter of Mike and Cathy Boucher of Berlin.
Angelica M. Eastman has been accepted in the Health Science Technology program for the academic year 2013. Eastman is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School where she participates in the Relay for Life and is Team Captain. Currently, Eatman is employed at Wal-Mart in Gorham, as a cashier. She is the daughter of Jessica and the late David Berwicch of Berlin.
Keith Nicholas LaFlamme has been accepted in the Liberal Arts program for the academi year 2013. LaFlamme is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School. Currently, LaFlamme is employed at Valley Creek Eatery in Berlin, and C&S Vending Machine Co., in Gohram. He is the son of Angela and James Clark of Berlin and Gary LaFlamme of Berlin.
Jordan Brouillette has been accepted into the Criminal Justice program for the academic year 2013. Brouillette is a 2012 graduate of Gorham High School and participated in cheerleading. Currently, Brouillette is employed at Save-A-Lot in Gorham as a cashier. She is the daughter of Barb Marcou of Gorham.
Stephen M St. Germaine has been accepted in the Automotive Technology program for the academic year 2013. St. Germaine is a 2013 graduate of Gorham High School and participates in Baseball, Band, Student Council, National Honor Society, and is Class Treasurer. Currently, St. Germaine is employed at JML in Errol, NH as a service technician. He is the son of Mark and Julie St. Germaine of Gorham, NH and the late Kelly Pageau.
Morgan Boucher has been accepted in the Teacher Education program for the academic year 2013. Boucher is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School where she participates in the National Honor Society, Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Softball and Dance. Currently, Boucher is employed at Tea Birds Cafe and Restaurant in Berlin as a waitress. She is the daughter of Mike and Cathy Boucher of Berlin.
Angelica M. Eastman has been accepted in the Health Science Technology program for the academic year 2013. Eastman is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School where she participates in the Relay for Life and is Team Captain. Currently, Eatman is employed at Wal-Mart in Gorham, as a cashier. She is the daughter of Jessica and the late David Berwicch of Berlin.
Keith Nicholas LaFlamme has been accepted in the Liberal Arts program for the academi year 2013. LaFlamme is a 2013 graduate of Berlin High School. Currently, LaFlamme is employed at Valley Creek Eatery in Berlin, and C&S Vending Machine Co., in Gohram. He is the son of Angela and James Clark of Berlin and Gary LaFlamme of Berlin.
Jordan Brouillette has been accepted into the Criminal Justice program for the academic year 2013. Brouillette is a 2012 graduate of Gorham High School and participated in cheerleading. Currently, Brouillette is employed at Save-A-Lot in Gorham as a cashier. She is the daughter of Barb Marcou of Gorham.
Stephen M St. Germaine has been accepted in the Automotive Technology program for the academic year 2013. St. Germaine is a 2013 graduate of Gorham High School and participates in Baseball, Band, Student Council, National Honor Society, and is Class Treasurer. Currently, St. Germaine is employed at JML in Errol, NH as a service technician. He is the son of Mark and Julie St. Germaine of Gorham, NH and the late Kelly Pageau.
Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 18:10
Hits: 137
New Hampshire Chooses New High School Equivalency Test
On Wednesday, March 20, the New Hampshire State Board of Education approved a new high school equivalency test that will be used throughout New Hampshire starting in January, 2014. The new test will be the basis for awarding a New Hampshire High School Equivalency Certificate by the NH Department of Education (NH DOE).
A new high school equivalency test was needed since the GED Testing Service, formerly owned by the American Council on Education and purchased by the Pearson Corporation, decided that a new test was needed. Since the current version of the GED test had not been updated since 2002 the Pearson Corporation decided to update the test and align it with the Common Core Educational Standards now being introduced in most states.
During the past year several other vendors including the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and McGraw Hill/CBT also developed high school equivalency tests tied to the Common Core State Standards. The NH DOE conducted a Request for Proposal Process (RFP) in which vendors submitted their tests for consideration by the State of New Hampshire. After a review process that included current New Hampshire GED local test administrators, the proposal from the Educational Testing Service was selected as best meeting the needs of New Hampshire citizens.
The new test will be available in both paper based and computer based formats for at least three years. While plans are not yet complete regarding the cost of the new test and availability of testing centers,
the Bureau of Adult Education intends to continue the availability of high school equivalency testing throughout the state and at the lowest possible cost to the public.
For further information contact Art Ellison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text97634); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (603)-271-6698.
A new high school equivalency test was needed since the GED Testing Service, formerly owned by the American Council on Education and purchased by the Pearson Corporation, decided that a new test was needed. Since the current version of the GED test had not been updated since 2002 the Pearson Corporation decided to update the test and align it with the Common Core Educational Standards now being introduced in most states.
During the past year several other vendors including the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and McGraw Hill/CBT also developed high school equivalency tests tied to the Common Core State Standards. The NH DOE conducted a Request for Proposal Process (RFP) in which vendors submitted their tests for consideration by the State of New Hampshire. After a review process that included current New Hampshire GED local test administrators, the proposal from the Educational Testing Service was selected as best meeting the needs of New Hampshire citizens.
The new test will be available in both paper based and computer based formats for at least three years. While plans are not yet complete regarding the cost of the new test and availability of testing centers,
the Bureau of Adult Education intends to continue the availability of high school equivalency testing throughout the state and at the lowest possible cost to the public.
For further information contact Art Ellison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text97634); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (603)-271-6698.
Last Updated on Monday, 25 March 2013 19:34
Hits: 104
Prevention Youth Councils Help Students Make Good Choices
Zach Host of Gorham High School and Kathryn Record of Berlin High School spent some time working on their speeches during a retreat at Merrowvista. (Courtesy photo)
A recent study by the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey Institute has found that what students crave most is a sense of belonging and attachment to their communities. Those that feel that sense of community connectedness are much more likely to make healthy choices when they deal with stress in their lives. But how can schools, families and communities empower students to take constructive steps to reach these goals?
One avenue is through the highly successful Prevention Youth Councils (see sidebar), a program of the North Country Health Consortium, where students share ideas, brainstorm, and problem solve around issues like drug and alcohol use, bullying, obesity, smoking, and school violence. In doing so, they develop close connections with their peers, make a positive impact on their communities and learn lifelong leadership skills.
“We have a framework — the Prevention Youth Council — that allows students to learn and share from one another; it provides community connectedness,” says Bob Thompson, North Country Health Consortium’s Regional Prevention Network program manager. “These kids are developing leadership skills, are concerned about the North Country and are taking positive steps about prevention and school climate. Youth leadership is, in itself, a prevention strategy. Students working together and sharing ideas fosters peer-to-peer connections. When they take their ideas back to their schools it increases their ability to collaborate, brainstorm and problem solve.”
Ten high schools in Coös and Grafton counties participate in the Prevention Youth Council (PYC) system, the only one in the state. Each school has two to four student representatives on the regional council, who are the facilitators for their schools, along with an advisor. Generally, 20 to 30 students from 6 to 10 of the schools meet once a week throughout the school year and carry information back to their schools. For instance, at a recent regional council meeting, students participated in several activities as ice breakers and team building exercises before reviewing the Flush Flyers (flyers placed in bathroom stalls) and table tent displays they had created about the true risks of drug and alcohol use. The students discussed the pros and cons of each before choosing the top five designs that would be distributed at their schools.
The students are enthusiastic about their involvement in the PYC, their ability to influence other students to make good choices, and the confidence they’ve gained as both participants and decision makers.
Gorham High School senior Cassandra Poulin has been involved on the regional level with PYC for two years, and prior to that she participated in the yearly conferences that PYC holds. “PYC is a rare opportunity where
you go and you don’t get judged,” she says. “We’re on common ground to make healthy decisions and choose a healthy lifestyle.”
The PYC, says Poulin, has two missions at her school: one is to plan fun alternatives for students on weekends, like scavenger hunts, and game board and movie nights. The other is both educational and motivational, such as
creating flyers, table top displays, and PSAs to educate students about bullying, drinking and drugs. Gorham High also has an Appreciation Station, a board where students can “write really nice things about people; it’s
blossomed into a nice thing,” she says.
“PYC has helped me learn how to work with different types of people,” says Poulin, who will attend Southern New Hampshire University in the fall to major in psychology and justice studies. “I used to be strong-headed, but I learned that doing things that way isn’t going to make me comfortable with others. Now I put myself out there in a compassionate and easy going way and it’s helped.”
Jeff Smith, a senior at White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield, intends to earn a nursing degree when he attends college in September. “PYC affects so many people and changes the face of the community as a whole,” he says. “I like to see the changes we’ve made at our schools and the recognition by state officials. My leadership skills have grown a lot. I’ve worked in different schools and have gotten thrown into different groups
where I didn’t know anyone and had to make a presentation. I now run meetings and handle projects.”
For one of her college essays, Kathryn Record, a senior at Berlin High School whose goal is to be an occupational therapist, wrote about the PYC and how it changed her life. “It shows people another side of me,” she says. “It’s a place where I feel comfortable being myself and showcasing my leadership skills.”
Asked if she thought what she is doing has made a difference to her classmates, Record acknowledges that some of them are “stubborn” and it can be a challenge to change their thinking and stop destructive behaviors. “I think if we can reach out to the younger population we can be effective,” she says.
“I love doing the programs and helping others kids. I like being a role model,” says Gorham High junior Zach Host, who plans on a career as a criminal profiler. “PYC was formed by youths for youths. We can divert people to healthier life decisions. It has showed me how to be a leader, how to speak in front of people. It’s brought my skills out.”
Sean O’Brien, a half-time Project SUCCESS counselor at Lin-Wood Public School in Lincoln who contracts with North Country Health Consortium to serve as the PYC regional coordinator, facilitates the weekly meetings with the student leaders, and meets with the school advisors three times a year.
“The students know what the issues are in their schools,” he says. “PYC gives them a sense of belonging, connecting them to both their schools and communities. They want to give back and help their peers as well as their communities.”
PYC is planning the annual middle school Youth Leadership conference for early April. “Students organize, plan and facilitate the entire conference,” he says. “There will be students from 10 middle schools attending, and the topic will be drug and alcohol prevention. Last year it was improving the school climate. Students are also developing a how-to manual on running a PYC and recruiting students.” Other PYC activities include advocacy on prevention issues that affect their communities. An example would be their testimony at the March 11 House Finance Committee Budget hearing at White Mountains Regional High School. Record and Smith were two of the students who stood up and spoke in favor of increased prevention efforts at the state level.
O’Brien notes that North Country schools that have a strong PYC show “great improvement” on substance abuse related measures in the biannual Youth Risk Behavioral Survey. It’s evidence like that, along with a comprehensive and effective PYC infrastructure, which attracts funding and has helped PYCs earn a designation as a model program for the state. “We’re hoping that at the end of this year, we’ll be able to propose to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, one of our key funders, that PYC be implemented in other regions of the state,” he says.
“PYC is rare,” concludes Poulin, the Gorham High senior. “You aren’t going to find the same imperative with sports groups or student government. The common interest in PYC is being nice to people, finding common interests, and becoming a positive influence on others and the community.”
For more information about North Country Prevention Network programs, such as the Prevention Youth Councils, contact Bob Thompson at 259-3704, ext.* * 244* *or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. North Country Health Consortium is a rural health network based in Littleton that collaborates with health and human service providers serving northern New Hampshire. Learn more at nchcnh.orgor call (603)259-3700.
*SIDEBAR*
Prevention Youth Councils Engage Youth in Alcohol and Drug Prevention
Strategies
North Country Health Consortium is home to the North Country Prevention Network, which has created a youth leadership development framework that organizes middle and high school students in groups called PreventionYouth Councils (PYC).
Created with startup funding in March 2009 by the North Country Health Consortium, and with assistance from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the PYCs work to develop and
implement action plans based on the Youth Leadership Institute’s Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol model. This model is being used to engage youth in efforts to change alcohol policy and to teach methods that integrate youth leadership into alcohol and drug prevention work.
Students involved in the Prevention Youth Councils attend a yearly conference where they network, take workshops and brainstorm to strategize and determine the goals for their school. The annual fall conference draws 100 students and over 20 chaperones during the 2.5 days. A similar conference is held in the spring for middle school youths, with about the same number of participants.
Prevention Youth Councils focus on a variety of topics including body image, obesity, and school climate issues like bullying, school violence and drop out rates. The conferences are an opportunity for the students to
share what’s working well and areas that they feel need improvement.
According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, communities where Prevention Youth Councils are strongest have experienced the greatest reduction in past 30-day use of alcohol consumption, and in past 30-day use of marijuana. Where strategies have been in place, two schools reported a nine percent reduction and major reductions were reported in other schools of five percent over a two-year period.
“We are seeing trends go down when we develop youth leadership groups in schools and support their voice in communities,” says Bob Thompson, North Country Prevention Network program manager for North Country Health Consortium.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 20:00
Hits: 112
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