Hartford-based robotics team wins awards in regional competitions

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Grasshoppers, a FIRST Robotics team based at the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center in White River Junction, took home multiple awards at regional competitions this spring.

In early March, the team earned a creativity award at the Granite State District competition in early March, according to an email from Grasshoppers’ coach James Cole-Henry. That was followed by finalist medals in qualifying events at a competition in Hartford, Conn., where they ranked fifth. Next up was the New England District Championships from April 5 to 8 in Springfield, Mass., where they finished third in their division. While that qualified the team for the world championship in Houston, they were unable to attend due to funding challenges.

Team members include Wesley Johnson, of Lebanon High School; Luke Welder, Katie Garr, Pablo Martin-Asensio, Stephen Witwick, Wyatt Sklarin, Taehan Kim, of Hanover High School; John Cassell, Lex Johnson, River Maddox, Olivia Daigle, Jaime Synder, of Hartford High School; and Elizabeth Inselman, of Mascoma Valley Regional High School. Mentors and coaches come from local businesses including Fujifilm Dimatix, Hypertherm, Novo Nordisk, and Geokon.

Girl Scouts donate 560 boxes of cookies to staff at Claremont-area schools

CLAREMONT — Girl Scout Troop 30261 donated 560 boxes to teachers, staff, and administrators in SAU 6.

There are 17 members of Troop 30261 who are in grades kindergarten through 11th grade, according to a news release from the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. This year the troop sold 15,026 boxes of cookies, surpassing their goal of 10,500.

Kearsarge Regional Middle School teacher honored

NEW LONDON — Kearsarge Regional Middle School science teacher Tara Evans received the “Master in the Middle” award from the New England League of Middle Schools.

Evans, who teaches seventh grade, was nominated for the award by her colleagues, according to a news release from the district. The honor is given to middle school educators who exhibit “passion, leadership, and excellence” through their classroom teaching, mentoring colleagues and establishing relationships with students, along with their families.

“Tara’s excitement for teaching students about the world of science, and making connections with their daily lives, helps to inspire our students to pursue science in their future studies or career paths,” assistant superintendent Michael Bessette said in the release. “She takes great pride in mentoring others, and always seeks to improve her professional practice to bring out the best results in her students.”

Assistant superintendent in Kearsarge honored

NEW LONDON — Kearsarge Regional School District Assistant Superintendent Michael Bessette received the 2023 Outstanding Service Award from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.

Bessette, who has spent seven years as assistant superintendent, was nominated by his peers, according to a news release from the district. They lauded him for his teaching curriculum, child advocacy work and “his consistent focus on best educational practices within the district,” among other accomplishments.

“This nomination truly is about Michael’s dedication to student welfare and learning, educational quality in the district and the state at large, commitment to public service, and the deep joy and satisfaction he experiences when his contributions support the common good,” Kearsarge superintendent Winfried Feneberg said in the release.

Post-secondary accomplishments

Jacob Schilke, of Lebanon, was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society at Dean College in Franklin, Mass., this spring.

Ray Xia, of Meriden, who is a student at Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts in St. Louis, Mo., made the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester.

Daisy Johnson, of Hartland, made the dean’s list at the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences for the fall 2022 semester.

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