New Academic Program Recognizes Student Achievement

Our high school students have a new opportunity to challenge themselves and receive recognition for their hard work.

The New Hampshire Scholars program will be integrated into Souhegan High School beginning with this year’s senior class.

Students seeking to become NH Scholars will have to complete the recommended Core Course of Study, which includes more rigorous class choices.

Director of Guidance Karen Chininis said that over half of the current senior class meet the requirements to be recognized in the NH Scholars program.

“It is pretty exceptional,” said Chininis. “We definitely want to make sure that those students are recognized for taking this rigor of classes.”

The program extends outside of the classroom and into local businesses, who will connect with school coordinators to provide workshops, job shadows and mentoring opportunities to students.

Chininis said that students following the program will be better prepared for the expectations of higher education and the workforce.

NH Scholar students are recognized as a State Scholar at their graduation and there will be  a designation on their high school diploma. Some colleges are even offering merit awards to students who complete the program.

The program encourages students who wouldn’t necessarily fit into advanced placement courses, but still want to take on more challenging coursework, according to Chininis.

New Hampshire Scholars targets students in the mid-50 percent range of High School population with the goals of increasing the number of students pursuing post-secondary education and better equipping students who choose to go directly into the workplace or the military upon graduation from high school, according to the NH Scholars website.

Souhegan High School is the 48th New Hampshire school to sign onto the program. Here is a list of other schools currently enrolled in the program.

Superintendent Peter Warburton said that he has seen the program make positive changes in other students he has worked with outside of SAU #39 and believes it can better prepare them for the future.

“It has proved to be helpful for them to gain a path to success later on,” said Warburton.

Those interested in learning more can attend an information session on the NH Scholars program at Souhegan High School Information Center on Monday. Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

New Hampshire Scholars is a federally funded program developed and administered through a partnership between the New Hampshire College and University Council, the New Hampshire Forum on the Future, the New Hampshire Department of Education and the National State Scholars Initiative Network.