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.

NH-S SENIOR CHOSEN AS "BEST OF CLASS 2011"

NH-S senior, Eliot Avery Reshetar-Jost, has been selected by WPVI-TV 6ABC as part of “The Best of Class 2011.” Eliot was nominated as the top high school senior because of his outstanding academic standing.

NH- S STUDENT PLACES FIRST AT STATE ORCHESTRA

On April 13th through April 16th, Greg Chen of New Hope-Solebury High School participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All State Orchestra Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Greg placed first in the second violin section which is the highest placement for any NH-S student in over 10 years. The State Orchestra festival is the culminating concert of the 2011 PMEA calendar. Greg successfully auditioned for the Bucks County , District 11 , and Region 6 music festivals before achieving “first chair” status at the All-State level.

“I received a letter from the Pennsylvania Legislator of Bucks County congratulating me for getting into States which was very cool,” remarked Chen. “I would especially like to thank Mr. Wehr, my violin teacher, and my mum who tirelessly drove me to all my lessons.”

NH-S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE JOB ASSISTANCE

Junior, Lauren McClusick, is congratulated on the acceptance of her new position

at Lambertville Station by Kate Graff (left) and Linda Matthews.

On April 27th, a student job fair was held for high school students at the New Hope-Solebury Upper Elementary School. The event was sponsored by the high school Parent Teacher Forum and the New Hope Chamber of Commerce. The high school guidance department provided booklets with information on how to obtain working papers, safety tips for job hunting and how to prepare a resume.

Representatives from various local businesses were on hand including Giant Food Store, Lambertville Station, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Coach, Sugar Daddy's Candy Store, and The Stephan House Inn.

STUDENTS HEAR A HEART-FELT PRESENTATION

On April 27th, 9th graders of New Hope-Solebury High School heard an important message about obesity and the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. Coordinated through the high school’s health department, cardiologist Dr. David Smith from Doylestown Hospital talked to the students about the unsettling trend of obesity in America and the impact it is having on our overall health and life expectancy. Smith remarked that teenagers today may be the first generation which does not out-live the life span of their parents. He talked about the teenage trend of eating fast food and poor exercise habits due to increased computer and video game use.
“The best news for me as a cardiologist is that today we’ve never had better options and equipment available to take care of people’s hearts and their overall health. The worst news is that the lifestyle of Americans has never been worse in respect to their health,” said Smith.

Also on hand, was ultrasound technician, Patrice Blanchard, of Doylestown Hospital. After Smith showed the students images of ultrasounds of some unhealthy hearts, Blanchard took student volunteers and projected images of their hearts for the group to see. Thankfully, the volunteers’ hearts appeared to be healthy and normal! Students also had an opportunity to closely examine the hearts of a pig and cow so that they could get a real-life perspective of this organ which they have been learning about in health classes.

Smith and Blancard have been giving these presentations to school students for years in hopes that teenagers make positive changes in their lifestyles. “If I’ve made just one student make a positive change today, then this presentation is well worth my time,” said Smith.