In Laconia Schools: Strong start to 2024 in civics, academics, sports

Hello Laconia School District staff and families. On behalf of the Laconia School District, happy 2024. If you can believe it, we are almost halfway through the 2023-24 school year. We have some amazing students in our schools, some of whom I would like to highlight for you in this newsletter:

New Hampshire Civics and Civility Event, Jan. 11

Laconia High School Principal Lisa Hinds and I were on a team with educators from the Manchester School District, former NH State Board of Education Chair Fred Bramante, and the NH Department of Education to organize a National Presidential Youth Convention with the theme of Civics and Civility. This event took place on Jan. 11, before the New Hampshire presidential primary at the city auditorium in Concord. The event was purposefully nonpartisan and was endorsed by Gov. Chris Sununu, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Congressman Chris Pappas. It brought together students from across the state for a half-day civics lesson aimed at building our students' knowledge and skills around civics and civility. A group of students from Laconia High School attended the event and were given the opportunity to sign a Declaration of Civility associated with the event.

City of Laconia MLK Event, Jan. 14

There was a Laconia celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Colonial Theatre that our students presented and performed at on Jan. 14. This event was organized by the Laconia Human Relations Committee and its Chair Patrick Wood. Mr. Wood, Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, County Attorney Andrew Livernois, and Ward 4 Laconia School Board member LaToya Beck were among the featured speakers.

There were several displays of student work at the event. Pleasant Street School students led by art teacher Jeanne Blair created models of quilts with patterns that were made by enslaved African Americans before the Civil War, some of which were used as codes to help slaves on a path to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

LHS art teacher Alison Witham’s students’ displayed an “Illuminated Letter” project based on the decorations of medieval manuscripts. Students learned about the history of medieval manuscripts and various watercolor techniques. Students also learned about the life and legacy of Dr. King and chose a quote that was meaningful to them that they copied. They “illuminated” the first letter by adding various designs around it. Students then provided a brief statement about why they chose the quote they selected. LHS art teacher Brock Harriman’s students created a “Never Stop Dreaming" banner for the event.

Cathy Baylus, a former New Hampshire Social Studies Teacher of the Year and a seventh grade social studies teacher led the organization of an essay writing experience and contest at Laconia Middle School. The winners read their speeches, sharing their personal connections with our community and Dr. King's legacy.

Aaliyah De Almeida, a grade 8 student at LMS, wrote poetry that was read at the event. LMS music teacher Marc Didonato and some LMS vocalists put on an inspirational performance of the following songs: “My Lord What a Morning,” “Peace Like a River, and “How Can I Keep from Singing?”

LHS Granite State Challenge Victory, Jan. 14

The Granite State Challenge team at LHS defeated Inter-Lakes 310 to 150 in a competition Jan. 14. The victory moved them onto the quarterfinals of the competition on Jan. 20 against Hopkinton.

Two LHS 1,000-Point Scorers in Nine Days

There are eight 1,000-point scorers in LHS basketball history, and two of them play on teams this year who reached this impressive milestone. Keaton Beck, a three-sport athlete and a senior captain of the LHS Boys Varsity Basketball team, scored his 1,000th point in the third quarter in a game against Kennett on Jan. 3. Keaton was also the Division II New Hampshire Basketball Player of the Year last season. He is coached by Steve McDonough, who is also a math teacher and boys varsity lacrosse coach at LHS. Nine days later, Macy Swormstedt became the 8th 1,000-point scorer in Laconia High School history. She achieved this milestone Jan. 12, in the first half in a game against John Stark. Macy is the only junior at LHS to reach 1,000 points. Her uncle Jimmy Swormstedt, also a basketball standout at LHS, hit his 1,000th point in 1987. She is coached by Jeff Greeley, a fifth grade teacher at Pleasant Street School and one of our football coaches at LHS.

These incredible young people are educated by a staff of incredible educators. Their family support is an important ingredient in the success of these students. Great job, Laconia students. Thank you educators and families, for all that you do.

I hope that you are off to a great start in 2024.

— Steve Tucker, superintendent, Laconia School District