Month: February 2025

Manchester Proud is excited to announce the launch of Manchester Cares, a new initiative made possible by a generous grant from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation. This pilot project is designed to address the basic needs of students in Manchester public schools, helping to create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

The Bean Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of Manchester Proud since its founding in 2018, consistently championing efforts to foster excellence, equity, and engagement in Manchester’s public schools. The Foundation’s latest grant will allow Manchester Proud to begin the Fund-A-Need initiative under the Manchester Cares umbrella. This initiative will provide essential funding to address the most pressing needs of students, including clothing, food, and supplies.

“The Bean Foundation has supported Manchester Proud since its founding in 2018. We applaud its work to foster excellence, equity, and engagement in Manchester public schools. Bean trustees became aware recently of efforts to open school-based food pantries. Manchester Proud was the right entity to get this effort up and running, so Bean was pleased to make the seed grant to start the Fund-A-Need initiative,” said Tom Donovan, Senior Trustee of the Bean Foundation.

This week, a diverse group of reviewers from the Manchester School District and local non-profits evaluated applications from schools across the district. Seven projects were selected to receive funding, totaling $6,200.38. The selected schools include:

• Hillside Middle School
• West High School
• Parkside Middle School
• Southside Middle School
• Beech Street Elementary School
• Weston Elementary School
• Central High School

These projects will provide students with critical items to support their well-being and academic success, reinforcing the belief that when students’ basic needs are met, they are better able to engage in learning and thrive in their school communities.

The Manchester Cares initiative is a powerful example of what can be accomplished through collaboration and community investment. Manchester Proud is deeply grateful to the Bean Foundation for their unwavering support and their belief in our mission to build a stronger, more equitable future for all Manchester students.

Together, we are making a difference. ONWARD!

Esme, a sophomore and a dedicated member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester (BGCGM) has achieved a remarkable milestone, one that sets her apart on a national level. Out of 5,400 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, Esme has been selected as one of only 20 performers invited to take the stage at the Boys & Girls Club National Conference in San Diego this May.

Growing up in the Manchester School District, Esme has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester and has also been heavily involved with the Palace Youth Theatre, both of which have played a pivotal role in shaping her passion for the performing arts.

Esme’s love for theatre began in first grade, initially as a fun activity, but it has since evolved into a serious pursuit. Over the past decade, she has become a true triple threat—excelling in singing, dancing, and acting. Currently, she is a prominent member of the Palace Theatre’s Teen Company, a prestigious group that requires auditions for participation and produces professional-level productions.

Her journey into performing arts was inspired in part by her brother, Isaiah, who is not only her biggest supporter but also the Performing Arts Director at BGCGM. Isaiah, who also grew up participating in the Palace Theatre youth programs, was the one who encouraged Esme to audition for the National Conference. Together, they prepared three video submissions showcasing her talent: Rise Up by Andra Day, Valerie by Amy Winehouse, and a piece from In the Heights. After submitting her videos, Isaiah received an email confirming that Esme had advanced to the next round. Three weeks later, Esme was invited to a Zoom meeting, which she believed was about Diane Fitzpatrick, the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester, being honored as Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year. However, to her surprise, the meeting was actually with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CEO Jim Clark to announce that she had been chosen to perform at the National Conference!

To prepare for this incredible opportunity, she has begun weekly coaching sessions with a professional mentor provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. These sessions, held every Monday, help her refine her skills and ensure she delivers a stellar performance on the national stage.

Looking ahead, Esme envisions a future in performing arts, considering schools in New York or Boston to further her studies in acting and performance. Her dream role? Carmen Diaz in Fame, a character she describes as a “diva with emotional depth,” a challenge she is eager to embrace. In addition to her passion for theatre, Esme has a strong academic interest in literature, citing World Literature as her favorite class this year due to her love for reading and writing about books from different cultures.

Despite her packed schedule of school, rehearsals, and coaching sessions, Esme also balances a part-time job. She comes from a close-knit family with two siblings and four dogs, drawing strength from their support.As she prepares for this exciting performance, Esme offers a message to those who aspire to get involved in the performing arts: “Don’t be afraid to get out there and push yourself.” Her journey from a young theatre enthusiast to a nationally recognized performer is proof that dedication, passion, and a willingness to embrace challenges can lead to extraordinary opportunities.

During the month of February, I was given the opportunity to interview for the Fire Science and EMT CTE at Manchester School of Technology. I was able to hear how it came to be and the meaning of the program it has on the students. Although this program isn’t as well known as some of the others, I got to see and hear just how amazing this program is and how much the students love it. I hope that after you read this, whether you’re a student or parent, you’ll consider signing up for this program next year. 

Leo Roy, a retired lieutenant from Manchester Fire, is the instructor and coordinator for this program. Mr. Roy was approached in the early 1990s to assist in putting together the Fire Explorer Training Academy by the Daniel Webster Council. He states that it was “very successful.”. They started in New England College until the New Hampshire Fire Academy was built, finished in 1995, and once the Academy was adopted he retired from it. To this day, the Academy still stands as it continues to educate many youths in Fire. He continued serving in Manchester at the Manchester Fire Department until his sister, who is involved at Manchester School of Technology, asked him if he would be interested in doing a moulage for the Criminal Justice and Health Science CTEs that they were doing since he loved Halloween a lot. Agreeing to do so, he had done it for a couple of years up till MST wanted to expand their CTE offerings and Mr. Roy offered the idea of doing Fire Science. And just a couple of years later, it got started. 

Mr. Roy teaches his students knowing that his students are the next generation and he wants to be able to contribute to them and their future. His program offers the students a much different experience than the other high schools. While these other high schools in New Hampshire may offer a program related to Fire Science, it is only an exploratory program. At the Manchester School of Technology, his program is a certificate program. He also states that, “We are still the only ones in the state that do a two-year program in one year.” Here you get to spend two blocks in the program with a higher passing rate than the others. 

For those interested in this program, Mr. Roy says, “Anybody with a really strong altruistic gene in their body that really wants to go and help people, should take this class.” Although you get to jump out of windows and climb buildings, you get a certificate that opens a large variety of doors. You get to learn about emergency services, a first-sight view as you work with the Manchester Fire Department, and if you’re someone who needs your hours on an Ambulance then you can get them done a lot easier here as the rates are much higher here in the City of Manchester.

After talking to Mr. Roy, I got to get the thoughts of the program from a few students. Abby and Dominique shared with me that throughout this year, they have learned an incredible amount and enjoyed going on ride-a-longs, jumping out of windows, and visiting the Academy. They are offered a chance to get a job right out of high school and the skills to do the job right. This program has shown that they can make an impact on their community. You as a student are taught a large variety of important skills. Dominique expresses, “It’s great to help out your community, it’s great to be conscious of the things going on in your community as well.” They took this program because they didn’t know where they wanted to go in the future and if this was something they wanted to do. “You don’t even need to know what you want to do, I mean this class is just a fun course to take too,” Abby says.

Another student, Marion, took this class after finishing Criminal Justice. Marion is still unsure of what career she wants to go into, but she does know she wants to help people and she took Fire Science with that goal in mind. She has become more confident in herself while being in this class. “I learned to not just give up.” she said as she explained to me that eventually a person will succeed. Marion really enjoys this class and would love for others to take it as well. This class gives students like herself a once-in-a-lifetime experience, far more unique than others. The MST Fire Science class gives students like herself a certificate for Fire 1, allowing you to go straight into the workforce in most cases. One of the main things she gets excited about when thinking of this class is the Bailing Out Procedure where the students are put into a life-or-death situation where they escape a burning building through a window. 

I am honored to have been able to learn about this program in my school and hope that more people will consider taking this class. Mr. Roy and the students I interviewed provided great advice and an idea of what their class is like.

 Every year, high school students from across New Hampshire audition for prestigious state-wide music festivals, and this year was no exception. Continuing a tradition of musical excellence, 13 students from Manchester’s high schools have been selected to participate in these renowned festivals. Representing Central, Memorial, and West High Schools, these talented young musicians will showcase their skills at the NHMEA Jazz All-State Festival from February 6-8 in Derry and the NHMEA All-State Festival from April 2-4 in Concord.

 Read the Manchester School District’s announcement on this here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1981176

Among those selected is Fatoumata Bah, a West High School freshman who earned a spot in the All-State Treble Choir. We had the opportunity to sit down with Fatoumata and learn about her journey in music.

Fatoumata’s love for singing began early. She officially joined a choir in 4th grade and continued through middle school, though she recalls that her family always noticed her singing as a young child. It was her Parkside Middle School choir teacher, Ms. Daley, who encouraged her to audition for All-State.

The audition process was no easy feat. Fatoumata received her audition pieces in October and auditioned in November. Recalling the experience, she shared, “It was very scary. You walk into a room with a backing track and sing in front of people.”

Now, as she prepares for the festival in April, Fatoumata has been diligently practicing for the past month, focusing on rhythm and lyrics. She is also a member of the West High School Choir, where she is taught by Ms. Berger.

Fatoumata credits her music educators for much of her growth, “A lot of teachers that I have had have been super talented and help me grow,” she says.

This experience has challenged her and allowed her to develop her skills, and she hopes to continue exploring music in college by taking some music classes.

Her advice to students considering auditioning for All-State? “Try it! Nothing bad can happen. Even if you aren’t selected, you will learn from it.”

Congratulations to Fatoumata and all of the talented Manchester students who are representing their schools and community at these prestigious music festivals!

Every year, high school students from across New Hampshire audition for prestigious state-wide music festivals, and this year was no exception. Continuing a tradition of musical excellence, 13 students from Manchester’s high schools have been selected to participate in these renowned festivals. Representing Central, Memorial, and West High Schools, these talented young musicians will showcase their skills at the NHMEA Jazz All-State Festival from February 6-8 in Derry and the NHMEA All-State Festival from April 2-4 in Concord. Read the Manchester School District’s announcement on this here: https://www.mansd.org/article/1981176 

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Central High School student musicians who are part of the All-State choir to learn about their experiences. The Central High School student musicians we spoke to include: 

• Lily Szulc – All-State Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir – Alto 2 (Senior)
• Katherine Thorner – All-State Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir – Soprano 1 (Senior)
• Marley Walker – All-State Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir – Alto 2 (Junior)
• Sophia Boisvert – All-State Mixed Choir (4-year award); Chamber Festival – Alto 2 (Senior)
• Michaela Aufiero – All-State Mixed Choir – Alto 2 (Sophomore)

For student musicians, the journey to All-State begins early. Central High School’s selected choir students explained that they receive their music in May and spend months rehearsing independently before their auditions in November, which take place at Memorial High School in Manchester. Once selected, they continue practicing on their own until the festivals in February and/or April, where they immerse themselves in three days of intensive rehearsals and performances.

With performances featuring mixed choirs consisting of tenors, basses, altos, and sopranos, students must be prepared for intricate vocal arrangements. Some compositions require up to eight different voice parts, adding an extra layer of complexity to their preparations.

Students describe All-State as both challenging and deeply rewarding. The festival offers not just an opportunity to perform, but also a chance to build lifelong friendships. “What’s great about these festivals is that it’s the same people every year. We make friends with people from all over the state,” shared Katherine. Sophia agreed, saying, “We all care so much. You’re surrounded by a community that cares just as much as you do.”

One of the highlights of the festival is the exposure to different directors and professional musicians. Each year, students work under the guidance of new directors, gaining insight into various musical styles and techniques. The festival also includes a special performance by a professional musician on Friday night, an experience that Marley described enthusiastically: “We got to speak to them after their performance, which was amazing.” Student musicians all raved about the Gospel singer from this past year. 

Preparing for All-State is largely an independent effort, requiring months of dedication. “There is more pressure to prepare for your audition because there are no rehearsals together beforehand,” explained Marley. “We spend our summer preparing for the audition and then the fall and winter preparing for the festival.”

Lily added that auditions can be highly competitive. “Everyone who auditions is talented, and the scoring can be so close. Sometimes you don’t get in even if you did the year before. It can come down to small details like rhythm sections.” Students who audition for solos face additional challenges, as solo auditions occur only at the festival itself, they must prep their individual part as well as the solo. 

To prepare, many students use creative strategies. Katherine, for example, listens to her pieces on Spotify repeatedly to internalize them before performing. The festival itself is an intense experience, with days running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and culminating in a final performance on Saturday.

Participation in All-State extends beyond just musical growth. Katherine noted, “I’m much more outgoing now. I’m not afraid to talk and be myself.” Lily emphasized the lasting connections she has made: “I’m still friends with some people from All-State during my sophomore year. I work at the mall, so I often run into people from All-State.”

Ed Doyle, Manchester School District’s Director of Fine Arts, also reflected on the significance of All-State. “It’s cool to see how much district representation we have, not only in students but in music educators. I went to All-State as a student at Memorial High School, and that experience influenced my decision to become a music educator.”

Looking ahead, two seniors, Sophia and Katherine, plan to study music in college, while Lily, though pursuing a different path, says, “Music will always be a big part of my life.”

When asked for advice for future All-State hopefuls, the students agreed: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”

With Manchester’s strong tradition of musical excellence, the city can be proud of these dedicated students and the educators who support them. Their achievements not only highlight individual talent but also reinforce the importance of music education in schools.

Last week, a team of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) staff delivered supplies to Manchester School District schools to support students during ACCESS Testing. The team provided snacks and reusable water bottles to ensure that students have what they need to stay focused and comfortable during the assessment period.

ACCESS for ELLs (ACCESS) is a suite of summative English language proficiency assessments. It is administered annually to English learners from kindergarten through grade 12, measuring their progress in acquiring academic English. These assessments play a crucial role in supporting multilingual students as they develop language skills necessary for success in the classroom.

Their generosity and commitment to the students of Manchester exemplify the strong partnership between SNHU and the local school community. A heartfelt thank you to Southern New Hampshire University for your ongoing support and for being a dedicated partner in student success!

On February 5, 2025, Manchester School District brought together young musicians from across the city for a vibrant and collaborative music festival at Memorial High School. Students from Northwest, McDonough, Weston, Green Acres, Jewett, Gossler Park, Smyth Rd., Highland, and Goffs Falls elementary schools participated in this special event, celebrating the power of music and creativity.

A highlight of the day was the presence of Jim Papoulis, an internationally renowned composer and conductor. Papoulis worked closely with the students, leading them in performances of two of his pieces, I Met a Bird and When I Close My Eyes. He also conducted a composition workshop, engaging students in the creative process and encouraging them to think deeply about the music they sing. His key message to students: be fully engaged with the music and reflect on its meaning.

The festival featured an array of talented educators and performers. Cassie Pepler, the music teacher from Smyth Rd., accompanied students on piano, while Joe Arloo from Weston Elementary added rhythmic energy with the djembe. A lively movement break was led by Donna Park from Northwest Elementary, who got students dancing with a fun line dance. Adding to the excitement, the Memorial High School choir, under the direction of Michelle Jacques, performed for the elementary students, providing inspiration and showcasing the musical opportunities ahead.

This event was made possible through the dedicated planning efforts of Susan Wilkes, music educator at Weston Elementary, and Ed Doyle, Director of Fine Arts for the Manchester School District. Their work, alongside the Manchester School District music department, created an enriching experience that fostered collaboration, musical growth, and a shared love of the arts.

The festival was a testament to the power of music education, bringing students together in harmony and creativity. Through events like these, the Manchester School District continues to inspire young musicians and build a strong foundation for the arts in the community.