For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Kearsarge Community Member Receives High School Volunteer of the Year Award

KEARSARGE – Superintendent Winfried Feneberg is pleased to announce that community member Henry Howell received the New Hampshire Partners in Education 2018 High School Volunteer of the Year award last month.

The prestigious honor recognizes school volunteers who demonstrate excellent management and leadership skills, unique and creative services/programs and originality of work during the 2017-2018 school year.

Howell, a Kearsarge High School volunteer, was honored during a ceremony on Oct. 26 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.

Over the last couple years, Howell has volunteered hundreds of hours to work with high school students in a variety of ways. This includes creating, planning and coordinating alternative educational opportunities for a group of non-traditional learners at the high school through after school activities and programs.

Howell collaborated with community members and local businesses for a number of different student-led projects, like the high school’s new rain garden. The structure is dedicated in memory of former Kearsarge High School wood shop teacher Thomas McLoughlin who passed away from cancer two years ago.

Students, under Howell’s guidance, also created several new trail systems and foot bridges throughout New Hampshire forests and learned about the importance of sustainable energy via solar panel projects. Those with an interest in environmental studies worked with Howell to research and construct birdhouses for some of the state’s native species.

“Throughout all of the projects Henry worked on with students, he reinforced the importance of strong social skills, critical thinking and the importance of teamwork,” said Kearsarge Regional High School Principal Robert Bennett. “He expertly guided students to use what they learned in the classroom for outside projects, which is exactly what the district is focusing on through our competency based learning curriculum.”

Principal Bennett would also like to recognize KRHS Transition Coordinator Rebecca Hemingway for working side-by-side Howell, ensuring that he and students had all the necessary equipment, transportation and support needed to complete projects. Like Howell, she continues to connect students with community businesses and organizations to strengthen their learning and to help foster a stronger bond between the high school and greater community.

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