Month: June 2025

Today marked an important milestone for Manchester Proud—we took the first step in our strategic planning process, charting a course for the future of our work and our community. It was energizing to reflect on how far we’ve come since a group of committed volunteers first came together in 2017 with a bold vision for Manchester’s public schools. Together, we’ve built something meaningful, and now we ask ourselves: What’s next? Where does the community see us going from here?

We’re having these conversations at a time of real uncertainty. Across the country, public education is under threat—from reduced school funding to the potential elimination of critical supports like the Federal Community Schools Grant. These challenges demand that we stay focused on what matters most: our commitment to young people and to creating opportunities for every student to learn, grow, and thrive.

As I write this on what may be the hottest day of the year, I’m filled with hope. School just ended last week, and already we’re planning for the fall and looking ahead to our Welcome Back Manchester Celebration—an event that reminds every student and family that they are seen, valued, and part of something bigger. Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched students excel—winning awards, graduating with joy, and celebrating with their communities. That joy is powerful. It’s the foundation of a thriving community, because when our kids thrive, our city thrives.

Let’s choose to bring the joy. Let’s tune out the noise and lean into what we know matters most: our kids, our future. They deserve a community that’s united, focused, and ready to help them soar.

With gratitude,
Aimee Kereage
Executive Director, Manchester Proud

This week, Manchester is proud to celebrate the graduation of three remarkable leaders who have completed the Leadership Greater Manchester (LGM) program, an initiative of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The Class of 2025 included professionals from across sectors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and a deep commitment to the future of our community.

Among this year’s graduates were three dedicated leaders connected to Manchester’s public education and community engagement efforts:

⭐ Aimee Kereage, Executive Director

⭐ Charlene Kurtz, Assistant Principal at Smyth Road Elementary School

⭐ Kelly Espinola, Assistant Superintendent of Schools at Manchester School District

Leadership Greater Manchester is designed to recognize and develop existing leadership talents while fostering collaboration and civic engagement across a broad range of industries and institutions. The year-long program provides participants with in-depth insight into the issues and opportunities facing Greater Manchester, encouraging innovative thinking and community-driven solutions. 💡

The graduation of Aimee, Charlene, and Kelly marks a significant achievement, and we are thrilled to celebrate their commitment to growth, equity, and community impact. Their participation in this prestigious program reflects the values of partnership, service, and leadership that guide our work every day.

Congratulations to the entire Class of 2025! Manchester is a stronger, more connected city because of leaders like you.

Manchester Proud, an organization working to champion student success within the Manchester School District through community engagement and community partnerships, presented its 2025 Student Volunteer Awards at the Manchester School District Welcome center in partnership with Mayor Jay Ruais and Project Happy. The 4th annual awards were presented to seven high school students. The award, which includes a $500 or $125 prize, was created to recognize Manchester School District students who show exceptional commitment to volunteerism.

The award winners for 2025, are:

• Lauren Halle, Junior, Central High School
• Thomas Martineau, Senior, Central High School
• Norto Noor, Senior, Central High School
• Jenny Van, Senior, Memorial High School
• Jonathan Reyes Santos, Senior, MST
• Yousif Al Kahani, Senior, West High School
• Andy Pham, Senior, West High School
• Jonathan Reyes Santos, Senior, MST

The recipients were selected from all those who applied for the award and received endorsement from a community member. On behalf of the Manchester Proud Council, We are proud of all the applicants, especially the award winners, who stood out in ways we didn’t realize was possible!

All students who attend Manchester public high schools are eligible to apply.  Every submission requires an application filled out by the student in which they outline their volunteer experiences and respond to several questions, along with a recommendation from an adult who can vouch for their service.  Grades were not a consideration in the judging. We look forward to seeing next year’s applications.

Our winners impacted the community in many ways and here is a representation of organizations they have collaborated with:

Team  131 Chaos, Katie’s Closet, Boy Scouts of America, Threads of Hope, Student Advocacy Group, Brookside Church, CMC, Alzheimer’s Research, Key Club, CelebratED, M-Power Advisory Board, Youth Council, Peer Tutoring, LGBTQIA+, National Art Society, Hillside band, and the Manchester Community Library.

We will leave you with this quote and hope you’re inspired to volunteer in a community that has meaning to you.

“Volunteering didn’t just teach me to lead-it taught me to see people: to meet silence with presence, pain with patience, and judgment with understanding. These moments changed me, and they continue to shape who I want to become.”  -Student Volunteer Award Winner

In middle school, I began to dream about living in Japan, and just three years later, I took the first step by flying to Tokyo to explore this dream. To make this trip come true, I spent a whole year working long hours at McDonald’s in Manchester, saving all my money, and spending every free moment researching and planning for this trip. In July 2023, I finally indulged my dream and traveled to the Land of the Rising Sun. It was amazing, everything that I had dreamed of! This trip has shaped me in many ways by exposing me to the culture and setting me in the right direction towards my future as a global citizen. Now, two years later, I am on the verge of stepping on that soil again, but this time I plan to do so for the next four years as I continue my education there at Temple University of Japan in Kyoto. 

It has finally come to the point in time where I walk down the stage with my gown and cap, standing with my friends and family, whom I cherish so much. The weeks leading up to that moment are making me realize just how close we are to getting our diplomas and going our separate ways. My high school years are something I would not exchange for anything. There were some tough times, but there were far more memories that I got to laugh and enjoy my youth. I have grown so much and experienced so many trials and tribulations, but also success and progress. So many moments that I don’t even know where to begin to reflect.  

When I was just a freshman, it was difficult coming back into a brick building to sit with your classmates again after being cooped up in the house for almost two years because of the pandemic. However, that changed relatively soon because I made friends with the most wonderful and intelligent person I have ever met, my best friend, Marion-maria Haff. Our friendship started from a simple project in our Algebra class, and it took only hours, maybe even seconds, for us to click. Now, almost four years later, we are probably the closest friends in our school. We are practically the same person and inseparable at any moment. I will always be grateful to her and hope that we never grow apart. 

I have become friends with my other amazing friends: Rose Cote, Tessa Mims, Jonathan Reyes Santos, and Aiden Ahern. Marion and I grew to know them about a year later, after we became friends, and it didn’t take long for all six of us to become one giant group of friends. Every single one of my friends is one of the greatest people I have ever met, and I am very grateful for every single one of them. On top of my incredible friends, I have had the most supportive and astonishing peers, and I thank every single one of them, because even if they may not realize it, they have helped me grow to the person I am today. Thank you, Mrs. Stephen, for seeing my potential and always looking out for opportunities I could do and grow from. Thank yo,u Mrs Tetu, for giving me great advice, advising me through the college process. Thank you, Mrs. McGowan, Mr. Bowe, and Ms. Passamonte for being incredible teachers, making me and my friends laugh. Thank you, Dr. Egan, for giving me the opportunity to complete both my Algebra 1 and geometry credits in one year. Thank you, Mrs. McCall, for the long class convos. Thank you, Mrs. McGee, for believing in me and pushing me to my full potential. Thank you, Mr. Garcia, for always looking to read Marion and I’s book, which we are still working on. Thank you, Mr. Colburn, for seeing the creativity in me and always looking for a new project I could do.Thank you, Mr. Puglisi, for making the Martial Arts Club and being very silly all the time. Thank you, Lauren, Aimee, and the entirety of Manchester Proud for giving me the chance to become a part of your organization, representing our Community as your intern. And thank you, Manchester School of Technology, it was the best decision I made to choose this high school over the others. 

I am proud to be a part of the class of 2025, and I hope that everyone graduating this year and the years to come gets to make their dreams come true, whether it be to attend the college of their choice or take a year off. The great part of our generation is that we are strong, and I hope that our future can make a difference in our world. ONWARD!

After two years of Mrs. McGee’s Business CTE at Manchester School of Technology, I was invited to attend their yearly Recognition Night alongside my friends who studied different CTEs. I was awarded two cords and a scholarship. I received the gold chord for having straight A’s throughout both years and the National Technical Honors Society chord as I participated in that and have been the last two years. Many students gathered there that day were also recognized for things like LNA completers, Fire Science, and the Excelsiors.

It was a great day for us students to celebrate our success. Numerous other scholarships were awarded that day, including the Brown Family CTE Scholarship, the MST Cosmetology Tool Award, the Rotary International Manchester Club, the Nick Bickford Scholarship, and Wire Belt. My amazing teacher, Mrs. McGee, nominated me as one of the two winners for the Bryan Halley Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of the former Business teacher of Manchester School of Technology, Bryan Halley.

Overall, it was a great day of celebration. Congratulations to my peers and the MST Class of 2025!

In a heartwarming celebration of service, Project Happy and Manchester Proud came together to honor the incredible impact of youth volunteerism across the Queen City. The event marked a milestone moment for the community, recognizing the efforts of students, schools, and organizations working hand-in-hand to make Manchester a stronger, more connected city.

At the center of the celebration was the launch of Project Happy’s Youth Volunteer Movement, which in just a few short months has rallied students to contribute over 1,300 hours of volunteer service. This remarkable achievement included representation from all Manchester high schools, reflecting a city-wide spirit of giving back.

Among the highlights of the event were the stories of three grand prize-winning students who, through their dedication to service, earned the opportunity to meet NBA star and Manchester native Duncan Robinson. Their excitement and pride were shared by families, peers, and community leaders alike.

In addition to these standout moments, twenty students were recognized as Student Leadership Ambassadors, having demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership through their volunteer efforts.

Manchester Proud was also proud to honor student volunteers through its Student Volunteer Award, offering $500 awards to three students in the Manchester School District — two from West High School and one from Manchester School of Technology (MST). These awards recognize students not only for the hours they put in but for the heart and leadership they bring to every effort.

Project Happy presented, End-of-the-Year Awards honors to four standout student volunteers across the school district for their unwavering dedication to community service.

Together, these recognitions show what’s possible when schools and community organizations collaborate to empower youth. The event served as a reminder of the potential and passion within Manchester’s student body and the importance of investing in opportunities for them to lead, serve, and shine.

This gathering was more than a celebration — it was a demonstration of the power of partnership. By connecting students with local organizations and community initiatives, Project Happy and Manchester Proud are building a stronger, more engaged future for all of Manchester.

A new Catie’s Closet has officially opened its doors at Beech Street Elementary School, thanks to the incredible generosity of Elliot Hospital Systems. Mayor Jay Ruais, Executive Councilor John Stephens, Superintendent, Jennifer Chmiel, and members of the Manchester Board of School Committee joined students, staff, and community partners to celebrate the launch of this important resource.

About Catie’s Closet:
Catie’s Closet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting low-income children through two essential programs:

• The In-School Closet Program establishes free “stores” within schools, ensuring that students can easily access clothing, toiletries, and other necessities on demand. This breaks down barriers to attendance and academic success.
  
• The SOS Urgent Response Program provides immediate support for children experiencing crises, such as homelessness, foster care transitions, fires, or other emergencies, ensuring that every child has what they need to continue learning and thriving.

With the opening of the closet at Beech Street Elementary, students now have access to critical resources that can make all the difference in their day-to-day lives which .

We’re grateful for the commitment of Elliot Hospital Systems, our community leaders, and all who are working together to help our children thrive.

You can read an earlier Proud Moment from Manchester Proud, highlighting Catie’s Closet at Central High School here: Proud Moment: Catie’s Closet at Central High School.