STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY INSPIRED BY MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

NHS Care Members John Warren and Frank Cosner, Milton Creagh, NHS Care Members Bill Reilly and Stephen Young (HS principal)

On February 22nd, New Hope-Solebury High School students were captivated by a presentation by Milton Creagh, a nationally recognized motivational speaker. A sizable man with a commanding presence, Creagh presented a straightforward, no-nonsense view of how drugs and alcohol can permanently change or end a life. Many times during Creagh’s presentation, he spoke directly to individual students about the dark reality of drug and alcohol use. He asked some tough questions about issues in the students’ lives, bringing attention to the fact that all communities must come to terms with addressing these concerns. “Do you think this just happens in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?” he inquired of the students. “No! Wake up, New Hope! It may look different here in your community, but you’re facing the same deadly issues as any other city.”
“I really liked him,” commented one freshman. “He was straightforward and really made an impact on all of us.”

In the evening, Creagh addressed the community in a presentation on how parents can help their children grow to be responsible and successful adults. This presentation was equally direct as his talks with students earlier in the day. Parents were encouraged to set reasonable limits for their children and to communicate directly and honestly with them on topics related to work ethic, the value of the dollar and the management of social and relational issues.

The presentations were sponsored by the NH-S Cares committee whose mission is to champion the healthy and full development of all youth in the New Hope-Solebury Community. Creagh, who has previously visited New Hope-Solebury through NH-S Cares sponsorship, is well known for his tough, inspirational talks to teenage students. He has served on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Expert in Residence program, has been invited to the White House, and has authored a book, Nobody Wants Your Child, about how to prepare young adults for the global workforce.

NH-S JUNIOR ADVANCES TO DEBATE FINALS

On February 4th and 5th, the New Hope-Solebury High School Debate Team competed in the 25th annual Pennsbury Falcon Invitational (PFI) at Pennsbury High School. PFI is a national tournament with over 50 schools competing.
Kevin Li, a junior, advanced to the Quarter Finals in the Lincoln Douglas debate. Of 89 participants, Li earned a 3rd seed spot for the out rounds. Out rounds started with a double octofinal bracket (top 32) and Li advanced to the semifinalist level. He lost to Elk Lake’s Austin Cohen who went on to win the tournament.
Li will be competing in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Debate League Finals held at New Hope-Solebury High School on February 16th.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Stephen Young, principal of New Hope-Solebury High School, announced that seniors Tom Hische and Shirley Liu have advanced to Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. They will each now be considered for the National Merit Scholarships offered in the spring of 2011.
More than 1.5 million juniors entered the 2011 National Merit Program by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. These students now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 8,400 Merit Scholarship awards.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER TO VISIT NH-S COMMUNITY

On February 22nd, the New Hope-Solebury High School will host Milton Creagh, a nationally recognized motivational speaker. During the school day, Creagh will speak to both middle school and high school students about the effect of drug and alcohol use and its impact on making responsible decisions. In the evening, the community is invited to his presentation on how parents can help their children grow to be responsible and successful adults. The community presentation will be held at 7:00pm in the Stephen J. Buck auditorium at no charge. All are welcome.

The presentations are sponsored by the NHS Cares committee whose mission is to champion the healthy and full development of all youth in the New Hope-Solebury Community. Creagh, who has previously visited New Hope-Solebury through NHS Cares sponsorship, is well known for his tough, inspirational talks to teenage students. He has served on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Expert in Residence program, has been invited to the White House, and has authored a book, Nobody Wants Your Child, about how to prepare young adults for the global workforce.

NH-S VIOLIN STUDENTS PROGRESS TO REGIONAL COMPETITION

Brett Wachtendorf, Kevin Li, Greg Chen, Nick Wehr and Jessica Bauer

Four New Hope-Solebury High School violin students will be competing in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s Regional VI orchestra competition at West Chester East High School in March. They are advancing from the districts competition which was held at Quakertown High School on January 27th, 28th and 29th.
The students placed as follows: Greg Chen (sophomore) – Second place, Brett Wachtendorf (senior) – Sixth place, Jessica Bauer (sophomore) - Tenth place and Kevin Li (junior) - Twelfth place.
“We have never had this many students achieve this success in the same year at NH-S,” commented orchestra instructor, Nick Wehr. “We are extremely proud of them!”