Students Receive Scholarships from NH Auto Show

Row behind the car: Kelly Turner, Ryan Moss, Thomas Hische, Nicole Kelner, David Morin, Brett Wachtendorf
Row in front of car: Shirley Liu, Audrey Neumann, Mary Clare Cosner, Erin Moss, Caitlin Kerr
Not pictured: Kristen Taylor

The New Hope-Solebury Community Association in conjunction with the New Hope Automobile Show announced this year’s recipients of their annual Scholarship Fund for 12 New Hope-Solebury High School graduates. Each student was awarded $1,000. The scholarships are made possible through the proceeds raised from the New Hope Automobile Show. Every year, the New Hope Automobile Show raises thousands of dollars, which are contributed to academic scholarships and various local civic/community clubs and organizations.

The students are photographed with the stylish and 2011 New Hope Automobile poster car, a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, courtesy of owner Gene Epstein. The 54th Annual New Hope Automobile Show takes place on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday August 14 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, rain or shine on the grounds of New Hope-Solebury High School. Visit http://www.newhopeautoshow.com/ for more information

COMMUNITY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Patti Cosner, MaryClare Cosner, Ellen Anthonisen, Frank Cosner, Jr.
Scholarship Committee Member Ralph Prosceno, Community School Coordinating Director Nancy Lawson, Dr. Stephen Young, Dr. Raymond Boccuti, Scholarship Committee Member Earlene Austin, and Scholarship Committee Chairman Larry Weikel

On June 9th, the Community School of New Hope-Solebury presented New Hope-Solebury High School senior Mary Clare Cosner with a $1000 scholarship. Scholarship committee chairman, Larry Weikel, presented the award along with past president Ellen Anthonisen and committee members Nancy Lawson, Earlene Austin and Ralph Prosceno. There to witness the presentation of the scholarship were superintendent, Ray Boccuti and high school principal, Stephen Young, as well as the parents of Mary Clare.

The Community School’s mission is to offer continuing education through creative, physical, and intellectual opportunities. “We believe the lifeblood of our community is our teachers, our Board members, and especially our students,” remarked Weikel. “With this in mind, a committee was formed to award a NH-S graduating senior a scholarship to further his or her educational pursuit.” The seven qualities which the Board look for are community service, financial need, passion, overcoming adversity, leadership, initiative, and academics.

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO GET UNIQUE LOOK AT U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY WHILE ATTENDING FAST-PACED SUMMER SEMINAR

Connor Gauvin, a junior at New Hope-Solebury High School, will participate in the 2011 U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar program in Annapolis, Maryland. The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) invited a select group of approximately 2,250 young men and women from around the nation and internationally to attend the Naval Academy Summer Seminar program this year. Summer Seminar is a fast-paced experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school and are considering applying for admission to USNA after graduation.

Summer Seminar teaches prospective applicants about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders. Each student will attend a six-day session and experience a part of USNA life. Students in the program live in Bancroft Hall (the dormitory in which all USNA midshipmen live), eat in the dining hall, participate in academic and leadership workshops and participate in daily physical training involving group runs and conditioning exercises. They will have an opportunity to see first-hand what the Naval Academy has to offer through its exceptional academic, athletic, extracurricular activities and leadership training programs.

For more information on the U.S. Naval Academy and the Summer Seminar program, visit http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/nass.htm. For more information on the Naval Academy, visit http://www.usna.edu.

LACROSSE STUDENT EARNS ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Tommy with his parents (standing from left): Dr. Stephen Young (principal), Sean Gracey (Assistant Coach), Patrick Ryan (Coach) and Ted Harrington (Athletic Director)

On June 10, New Hope-Solebury High School senior, Tommy Sutton, was presented the US Lacrosse Academic All-American award by his coaches and school administrators. A US Lacrosse Academic All-American is a player who exhibits exemplary lacrosse skills and excellent sportsmanship on the field while also representing high standards of academic achievement in the classroom. Additionally, a US Lacrosse Academic All-American has left his mark by making significant contributions of service to the school or community.

"Tommy Sutton's hard work on the lacrosse field and in the classroom over the last four years has been justified by his receiving the Academic All American award from the EPSLA and US Lacrosse respectively,” commented coach, Patrick Ryan.
“I am proud to know him and see him as the prime example of what all New Hope Solebury student athlete should strive to be both in competition and in academics."

JUNIOR AWARDED S.Y.S.T.E.M.S. SCHOLARSHIP

On behalf of the S.Y.S.T.E.M.S. Program (Stimulating Your Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Students), program coordinator, Michael Daly, announced that New Hope-Solebury junior, Jaxon Vallely, is a recipient of the S.Y.S.T.E.M.S. Star scholarship.
Jaxon received the scholarship to support his summer traineeship at UPHCSA (University of Pittsburg Health Careers Scholars Academy), formerly the Govenor's School for the Health Sciences.

The S.Y.S.T.E.M.S. program was initiated in collaboration with the NHSHS Parent Teacher Forum. The program introduces students to the diversity of career options available in the sciences. Each program features 5 adults (Ambassadors) that give a very personal overview of how they got interested in science, what training they received, what they do now and what they love about science. “These programs are highly interactive and not didactic,” said program coordinator, Michael Daley. “In addition, each of our Ambassadors has volunteered to serve as Mentors for the Senior Culminating Project for those interested in a science related topic”.

NEW HOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Stephen Young (principal), Edwin Hild (NHHS Scholarship Committee chair), Matt Rodrigues, Ben Meadows (NHHS President), Jon Gonsiewski (New Hope-Solebury History teacher) and Les Isbrandt (NHHS Scholarship Committee member)

On June 8th, New Hope-Solebury senior, Matthew Rodrigues, received the 2011 Francis Curley Scholarship from the New Hope Historical Society. On hand to present the award were NHHS president, Ben Meadows, NHHS Scholarship Committee Chair, Edwin Hild and NHHS Scholarship Committee member, Les Isbrandt.

The criteria for scholarship candidates are as follows:
1. Planned to attend at an accredited university or college
2. Further academic study in the broad field of Social Studies
3. Demonstrated excellence in NH-S HS Social Studies course work
4. Community involvement
5. A student whose selection Francis Curley would have agreed with
6. Overall GPA

The New Hope Historical Society established the Francis Curley Memorial Scholarship in 2003 to be awarded to a civic minded New Hope Solebury High School senior who has displayed excellence in Social Studies and who is going on to a post secondary formal education in the broad field of Social Sciences.

“The scholarship honors Francis Curley’s many outstanding contributions which fostered a greater public appreciation for New Hope’s unique history,” said Isbrandt. “ His work in the Historical Society and our community will forever be remembered as an excellent model of how one individual can make a lasting impact. Until his death in 2001, Francis Curley was considered New Hope’s premier historian. After serving in the US Army during WWII, he taught history and social studies at the New Hope Solebury High School from 1957 to 1980. Francis was a member of the Lambertville and Bucks County Historical Societies and was an officer and director of the New Hope Historical Society. He also taught, as a volunteer, at Delaware Valley Community College”.

“On behalf of the members of the New Hope Historical Society, we want to thank the school district for giving us the opportunity to participate in the Senior Scholarship program,” remarked Isbrandt. “This is the ninth year that the Society has given scholarships to NH-S High School seniors. In total, including this year’s grant, the Society will have awarded ten $1,000 scholarships to deserving students”.

SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED IN PRINCIPAL’S NAME

On May 26th, senior Tommy Sutton was awarded the Dr. Stephen B. Young scholarship by the New Hope-Solebury High School Parent Teacher Forum. The scholarship, which will be awarded annually, was established this year to honor the retirement of the high school principal, Dr. Young. The criteria of the scholarship is based upon the three characters which Dr. Young embraced in his seventeen years as principal: thought, civility and joy.

The scholarship is awarded to students who (1) establish clear pattern and thoughtful engagement in the school curriculum (academics/clubs/sports),
(2) are a model of civility in their interaction among peers and adults (involvement in student government, service clubs, a peacemaker and a coalition builder) and
(3) express joy in interaction among those peers and adults as well as the academic and social aspects of school.

“Dr. Young's years of experience, success with staff and students, and his irreproachable character, calm demeanor and genuine nature will be sorely missed,” stated the Parent Teacher Forum board. “We thank him for his 17 years of wonderful service to our school district, and we wish him the very best in all future endeavors.”

Contributions, made payable to NH-S Parent Teacher Forum with a memo notation for "Dr. Young scholarship", can be dropped off in the high school office or can be mailed to: Parent Teacher Forum, c/o NH-S High School, 182 West Bridge St., New Hope, PA 18938.

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAY A TEARFUL GOOD-BYE

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On June 7th, New Hope-Solebury High School students and teachers surprised their beloved principal with a farewell assembly since he is retiring after seventeen years. As Dr. Young entered the school auditorium, students and teachers stood and cheered as Rod Stewart’s Forever Young played. Clapping and shouts of adornment continued as photographs of Dr. Young throughout the years were projected on the screen. Student leaders then presented him with kind words and lasting gifts.

Student government president, Nick Kinsley, let Dr. Young know that a wild lion in Africa has been adopted in his name on behalf of the student government: a fitting gift as the lion is the school mascot. “Dr. Young has given us a sense of community that most other schools can’t match. And most of all, he’s given us pride,” commented Nick.

Next, students presented Dr. Young with gifts that represent his school motto of “Thought, civility and joy.” For “thought”, student officers Emma Natale and Lindsey Czajkowski presented Dr. Young with journals for students to write their thoughts and sentiments about him. “He has created a safe and accepting place for us to learn and grow,” commented Emma.

Representing “civility”, National Honor Society president, Elizabeth Lucy, advised Dr. Young that the school’s National Honor Society committee donated a patio set to the school’s library courtyard in his honor. The cement table is painted with the words “Thought, Civility, Joy.” “ It is our belief that the table will be a place to gather, work together, collaborate and create stability,” commented Elizabeth.

For “joy”, senior class officer, Tom Hisch, presented Dr. Young with a plaque entitled, “The Stephen B. Young Courtyard” and announced that the library courtyard is dedicated in his name. “It’s clear to me that Dr. Young has derived much joy in his years here as high school principal,” said Tom. “Whether he is at a sporting event or some other extracurricular activity, or simple walking the halls, there is rarely a time when Dr. Young doesn’t possess an authentic smile.”

Student council member, Tim Gimple, was met with applause and laughter when he addressed Dr. Young and stated that the students wouldn’t be disappointed if he pulled a “Brett Favre” and came back from retirement.

Dr. Young concluded the celebration with words of appreciation and with words of encouragement and advice. His impromptu speech was touching and moving, bringing quite a few tears in the crowd. “I’ve loved my seventeen years here,” Dr. Young said through choked tears. “We couldn’t have a greater group of kids and faculty and a support of community. We really have something special and I ask that you maintain that. Build on it and cherish the time you have together as I have with you. I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life.”

STUDENTS AWARDED FOR SAFETY BELT USE

On May 31st, students at New Hope-Solebury High School
were presented with a surprise award from the TMA Bucks (Transportation Management Association) and Bucks County Highway Safety. For the second year in a row, the high school students won the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge by showing the greatest percentage increase of seatbelt use in 2010-2011.Student drivers had the highest overall seatbelt use (97 percent) over 16 other Bucks County high schools. The student government group was presented with $500 donated by TMA Bucks and was also awarded a perpetual trophy plaque by TMA Bucks executive director Bill Rickett. The prize must be used by the school for safety-related purposes.

On that day, the students also learned about the dangers of drinking and driving through a Safety Bug program and a demonstration of the “Jaws of Life.” The annual event was organized by NHS Cares, the New Hope Borough and Solebury Township Police departments, and the Eagle Fire Company. The “Jaws of Life” is a procedure used to extricate trapped victims of vehicular accidents. The student body watched as a donated vehicle was destroyed with saws and clamps of all sorts. The other event of the day was the “Safety Bug” program, in which licensed students drove a custom-engineered car that simulates the effects of drunk driving. The program was delivered by the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association. The events were in anticipation of the upcoming Junior-Senior Prom which was held on June 3rd.