[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13243-13244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            THE NEW HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS

 Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate this 
year's winners of the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards. The 
``ED''ies are awarded to those individuals, schools and educational 
programs that have made significant contributions to public education 
and have met the highest standards of excellence. Educators and schools 
are measured on criteria, including curriculum and instruction, 
teaching and learning process, student achievement, leadership and 
decision-making, community and parental involvement, and school 
climate. On June 7, 2003, 35 individuals and 5 schools will be 
recognized for their leadership and outstanding achievements in 
preparing New Hampshire students for success in the 21st century, and I 
believe I represent my State well in conveying our appreciation and 
respect for the professionals they are and the sacrifices and 
contributions they make every day in classrooms throughout the Grantie 
State.
  The ``ED''ies are presented in various categories of excellence, such 
as art education, world languages, school nursing, counseling and 
technology. The specific criteria for the ``ED''ies, which is developed 
by the board of directors for the New Hampshire Excellence in Education 
Awards, has been applied to elementary, middle, and secondary schools, 
along with teachers, administrators, and other education professionals 
performing at each of these levels, as well as higher education. 
Selection committees are charged with the responsibility of applying 
these standards and evaluating nominees, and consist of some of New 
Hampshire's finest educators and community leaders. The committees 
carefully review nominees, study school applications and conduct 
assessments through on-site visitations.
  I have very fond memories of so many teachers that had a profound 
impact on my life. Their work that created a positive learning 
environment and provided me with the direction necessary to succeed, 
made an enormous difference in my growth as a person and as a public 
servant. They allowed me to appreciate the importance of a sound public 
education, as well as the need for individuals to make a contribution 
to their community. In my most important job--that of being a parent--I 
realize how delicate the task of educating can be, and understand more 
now than ever the vital resource our schools and teachers provide to 
the parents in the towns and cities of New Hampshire.
  Similar to the classroom heroes I knew growing up in Salem, the group 
of educators chosen this year for the ``ED''ies have demonstrated 
superior dedication and service to their students, schools and 
communities, and deserve this prestigious honor for the important roles 
they play in helping our children reach their goals and succeed in 
school. The teachers, principals, counselors, librarians, and other 
school leaders being commended this year have provided students with 
the tools they need to become productive and engaged citizens, and have 
been some of our State's most treasured role models--setting positive 
examples for the children that surround them, teaching personal 
responsibility and hard work, and shaping the character of young minds. 
For these achievements, our State and our country owe them a great deal 
of gratitude.
  I am proud of the strides that the President and Congress have made 
in working to reform our Nation's public education system. Since first 
elected to Congress in 1996, I have made improving education a 
legislative priority of mine. However, I am cognizant of the fact that 
the men and women on the front lines of our classrooms tackle the 
toughest of challenges and enable our country to realize the promise of 
leaving no child behind. The State of New Hampshire's education system 
is a true model to be highlighted, and I am confident that the success 
we enjoy in our State is due in large measure to the contributions and 
leadership of the many educators and schools being recognized here 
today.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the list of the 2003 New 
Hampshire Excellence in Education Award winners be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       NH Art Educators Association--Award: Art Educator of the 
     Year--Luci Prawdzik, Peter Woodbury School.
       NH Association for Gifted Education--Award: Educator of the 
     Gifted Award--Barbara DeVore, Reeds Ferry Elementary School, 
     Merrimack.
       NH Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development--
     Award: Supervision & Curriculum Development Award--Marianne 
     MacCarthy True, Plymouth State College.
       NH Association of Family & Consumer Services--Award: Family 
     & Consumer Services--Katherine Shoubash, Bow High School.
       NH Association of School Principals--Award: Assistant 
     Principal--Francis McNally, Dover High School.
       NH Association of School Principals--Award: Secondary 
     Principal--Deborah Brooks, Newmarket High School.
       NH Association of School Principals--Award: Middle School 
     Principal--Dr. John O'Connor, Dover Middle School.
       NH Association of School Principals--Award: Elementary 
     Principal--Kevin Johnson, Kearsarge Regional Elementary 
     School.
       NH Association of School Psychologists--Award: NH School 
     Psychologist of the Year--Kristen Thibodeau, Derry School 
     District.
       NH Association of Special Education Administrators--Award: 
     Special Education Administrator of the Year--Frances 
     Gonsalves, SAU #48--Plymouth.
       NH Association of World Languages--Award: NH Association of 
     World Languages Teacher of Excellence Award--Connie Evans, 
     Bow High School.
       NH Business Education Association--Award: NH Business 
     Education Association Achievement Award--Beverly S. Lannan, 
     Pinkerton Academy.
       NH Charitable Foundation/Christa McAuliffe--Award: Christa 
     McAuliffe Sabbatical Award--Daniel E. Reidy, Moultonborough 
     Central School.
       NH College and University Council--Award: NH College and 
     University Council Faculty Member Award--Dr. Ockle Johnson, 
     Keene State College.
       NH Council for the Social Studies--Award: Social Studies 
     Teacher of the Year--Joan O'Donnell, ConVal High School.
       NH Council of Secondary Administrators of Vocational 
     Education--Award: Vocational Education Teacher of the Yeaer--
     William Wood, Pinkerton Academy.
       NH Council of Teachers of English--Award: English Teacher 
     of the Year--Heidi Pauer, Bow High School.
       NH DARE--Award: D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year--Barbara Mack-
     Keeney, Woodstock Police Department.
       NH Driver Education Teachers Association--Award: Driver 
     Education Teacher of the Year--Paul Ingersoll, Ingersoll 
     Driving School.
       NH Environmental Educators--Award: Middle School Level--
     Linda Carson, Hillsboro-Deering Middle School; and--Award: 
     Elementary Level--Wendy Oellers, Gilford Elementary School.
       NH Humanities Council--Award: Treat Award--Christopher 
     Brooks, Souhegan High School.
       NH Music Educators Association--Award: Distinguished Music 
     Educator of the year--David Bresnahan, Memorial High School.
       NH School Administrators Association--Award: NH School 
     Administrators Association Outstanding Service Award--Mary 
     Heath, SAU #19--Goffstown.
       NH School Administrators Association--Award: Superintendent 
     of the Year--Phillip G. McCormack, SAU #29--Keene.
       NH School Boards Association--Award: School Board 
     Excellence Award--Shaker Regional School Board, Belmont.
       NH School Counselor Association--Award: NH School Counselor 
     of the Year--Kellie Monroe, Bristol Elementary School.
       NH School Nurses Association--Award: NH School Nurse of the 
     Year--Susan A. Reiss, Sanborn Regional Middle School.
       NH Society for Technology in Education--Award: Pat Keyes 
     Technology Educator of the Year--Beth Haarlander, North 
     Elementary School, Londonderry.
       NH Society for Technology in Education--Award: NH Society 
     for Technology in Education Impact Award--Karen Switzer, 
     Pleasant Street School, Laconia.
       NH Teacher of the Year--Award: NH Teacher of the Year--
     Marilyn ``Lin'' Benz Lindquist, Lamprey River Elementary 
     School, Raymond.
       NH Technology Education Association--Award: NH Technology 
     Education Association Teacher of the Year--Wayne Bartels,

[[Page 13244]]

     Monadnock Regional Jr./Sr. High School, Swanzey.
       NH Technology Education Assocation--Award: NH Technology 
     Education Association Program Excellence Award--The 
     Whitefield School, Whitefield.
       Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science--
     Award: Elementary Science--Stacy Jo Stapleton, Washington 
     Elementary School--Award: Secondary Science--Kevin Andrew 
     Lavigne, Hanover High School.
       Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science--
     Award: Elementary Math--Suzy Michelle Gagnon, Mast Way 
     Elementary School, Lee--Award: Secondary Math--Joshua 
     Christian Frost, Cooperative Middle School, Stratham.
       NH Schools of Excellence--Award: Elementary School of the 
     Year--New Boston Central Elementary School, New Boston.
       NH Schools of Excellence--Award: Middle School of the 
     Year--West Running Brook Middle School, Derry.
       NH Schools of Excellence--Award: Secondary School of the 
     Year--Merrimack Valley High School, Penacook.

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