Wednesday, May 28, 2008

CHEVRE DISPARU! MISSING GOAT


"Chevre perdue!" said the signs around the halls. "Disparu! Egare!" The photos on doors and lockers showed a white goat described as "petite, charmante et coquine" (small, charming and mischievous). The lost Blanquette, the students wrote, has "les yeux bleu, le pelage blanc et un barbiche de sous-officier" (blue eyes, a white coat and a goatee). Students in Mr. Cochrane's French 3-Honors class said that Blanquette hasn't been since a trip to the mountains, and urged anyone who finds him to call M. Seguin at 800.GO-GOATS. The class was showing what they had learned from reading the short story "La Chevre de M. Seguin" by Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897). Mr Cochrane himself is raising six goats in Corinth, VT.

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Monday, May 26, 2008

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: CONGRATULATIONS!

The HHS Guidance Department announces: The class of 2008 has been accepted at these great schools! The last issue of the HHS newspaper Broadside will list which seniors will attend which colleges.

Adelphi University
American University
Amherst College
Arizona State University
The University of Arizona
Assumption College
College of the Atlantic
Babson College
Bard College
Click below to read the full list.
Barnard College
Bates College
Bennington College
Binghampton University
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bridgewater College
University of Bristol

University of British Columbia

Brock University

Brown University

Bryant University

Bryn Mawr College




University of California at Davis

University of California at San Diego

University of California at Santa Barbara

University of California at Santa Cruz

California Polytechnic State University

Carleton College

Carleton University

Carnegie Mellon University

The Catholic University of America


Cazenovia College

Champlain College

Chapman University

College of Charleston

University of Chicago

Christopher Newport University

Clark University

Clarkson University

Colby College

Colby-Sawyer College

Colgate University

University of Colorado at Boulder

Colorado College

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Columbia University

Concordia University

Connecticut College

University of Connecticut

Cornell University

Curry College

University of Dallas

Dartmouth College

University of Delaware

University of Denver

DePaul University

Dickinson College

Drew University

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Emory University

Endicott College

Florida State University

Fordham University

George Mason University

The George Washington University

Georgia Institute Of Technology

Gettysburg College

Goucher College

Guilford College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hamilton College

Hampshire College

Hartwick College

Harvard University

Haverford College

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hillsdale College

Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Hofstra University

Indiana University at Bloomington

University of Iowa

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Johnson State College

Keene State College

University of Kent at Canterbury

Knox University

Lafayette College

Lawrence University

University of Leeds

Lehigh University

Lewis and Clark College

Loyola College in Maryland

Lynchburg College

Lyndon State College

Macalester College

University of Maine

Manhattan School of Music

University of Mary Washington

University of Maryland, College Park

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

University of Mass. –Amherst

University of Mass.- Boston

McGill University

University of Michigan

Middlebury College

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Montana State Univ.-Bozeman

Mount Allison University

Mount Holyoke College

Muhlenberg College

New England College

University of New England

University of New Hampshire

New York University

University of N.C. at Chapel Hill

University of N.C. at Greensboro

University of N.C. at Wilmington

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Norwich University

University of Notre Dame

Oberlin College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Old Dominion University

Pace University

The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Pennsylvania State University-University Park

University of Pennsylvania

Pepperdine University

Pitzer College

Plymouth State University

Pomona College

Princeton University

Principia College

Providence College

University of Puget Sound

Purdue University

Quinnipiac University

Radford University

University of Redlands

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhode Island School of Design

University of Rhode Island

The American International University in London (Richmond)

University of Richmond

Roanoke College

Rochester Institute of Technology

University of Rochester

Roger Williams University

Rollins College

Sacred Heart University

Saint Michael’s College

Salve Regina University

San Francisco Art Institute

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Scripps College

Simmons College

Skidmore College

Smith College

University of St. Andrews

St. Edward’s University

St. Lawrence University

St. Olaf College

Stanford University

University of Stirling

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

University of Tampa

University of Tenn.-Knoxville

University of Toronto at Scarborough

Towson University

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University

Union College

Ursinus College

Vassar College

Vermont Technical College

University of Vermont

Villanova University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of Virginia

Wake Forest University

Warren Wilson College

Washington and Jefferson College

Washington and Lee University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wells College

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wesleyan University

Western State College of Colorado

Westmont College

Wheaton College

Whitman College

College of William and Mary

William Paterson University of N.J.

Williams College

University of Wisconsin,
Madison

The College of Wooster

University of Wyoming

Yale University

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

THREE BIOMES ON MOUNT CARDIGAN




Tom Pike, class of 2011, writes: Our science teacher Ms. Postans took a volunteer group of 10 students on a hike up Mount Cardigan for independent research. Before the trip the students were assigned a little bit of reading about a biome. A biome is a part of the biosphere defined by its climate and the types of wildlife that can survive there.

When climbing a mountain like this there are many biomes that can be seen as you pass through them. When we got to the biome that we had read about we had to stop the group and give a quick talk about the biome. Then we continued on to see the rest of the mountain. On this two-hour round trip we got to see the temperate forest biome, the boreal forest, and the arctic tundra at the summit. Mt Cardigan is in the town of Canaan, NH and is 3,100 feet high.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

CLASS OF 2007 S.A.T. SCORES

Hanover High's class of 2007 earned a mean score of 602 on the Scholastic Achievement Test in Critical Reading, Guidance Director John McCracking told the Dresden School Board in a recent presentation. The mean reading score for all students in the nation was 502. In Math Hanover's 2007 graduates scored a mean of 600 compared to the national mean of 515, and in Writing the comparison was 595 compared to 494.

The top-scoring quarter of HHS students achieved a mean of 670 in Critical Reading compared to a 570 national mean for top-quarter students. These comparisons for the top quarter were 670 versus 590 in Math and 650 versus 560 in writing.

In the 2007 class 176 students or 89% took SAT exams. Eleven were commended by the National Merit Scholarship program. Eight were semi-finalists, eight were finalists, and one earned a National Merit Scholarship.

College acceptances and other data appear in the Guidance section of the HHS web site. Click "School Profile."

The data for the class of 2008 will appear this coming fall.
.

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Friday, May 16, 2008

THE DRIVER OF CHAMPIONS


Coach Dan O'Rourke writes: Adults call him Joe. Kids call him Mr. T. He views himself as "The Driver of Champions." He is Joe Trottier of White River Junction, VT who says, "I'll bet that in the last few years I've driven more championship high-school teams than any other bus driver in the state of New Hampshire."

Joe has driven school buses and motor coaches for 14-plus years including many sports trips. Now he drives for JRB Transportation and First Student, Inc. However it wasn't until 2004 when he returned to JRB full-time that he began driving more charter coach trips. Many of those have been sports trips, mostly for Hanover High athletic teams. "I love sports and I love being with kids," he says. "The kids at Hanover High are great kids and are respectful to me, other adults, and their opponents." His passion for sports and being a part of kids' lives is what cultivated the bond that he has developed with the teams at HHS. Mr. T has driven almost every boys' and girls' team to an away contest and will typically work the maximum allowed 70 hours at times during busy months.
"Hanover sports teams," Joe says, "are extremely talented and dedicated. It's amazing how they have dominated almost every sport in their division in NH and regionally." Since 2004 Mr. T has been the driver at the helm for several state championship teams including football, boys' and girls' soccer, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' and girls' hockey, and boys' lacrosse. Thus, the moniker "The Driver of Champions."

Mr. T never imagined this would happen. "I didn't foresee me becoming the unofficial bus driver of Hanover High sports. It just sort of evolved that way over the years. My job as a driver doesn't have any benefits but you can't place a dollar amount on the joy I get from seeing the kids on and off the court or field. It's been my good fortune to be a part of the Hanover High School athletic program. My most memorable moment was at this year's boys' hockey banquet when Coach Dodds presented me with a copy of the team's memories photo-album. I was very surprised and proud when I opened it up to find a full-page 'Thank you Mr. T...' and a photo of myself." The caption says, "Mr. T, thanks for driving us 1,943 miles."

On behalf of the many coaches who know "Mr. T," I would like to thank him for his dedication to the athletic program at HHS, but, more importantly, to the kids whom he serves year after year.

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NIKO DELA CRUZ, STUDENT OF THE MONTH


The selection committee writes: Niko, a senior from Norwich, VT is a genuine, curious and authentic student with high personal standards. He stretches his boundaries by participating in many school activities, including the school plays, chorus and Soar Throats. He plays the violin and is a member of Council and crew. Niko is respectful and polite and has made Hanover High a better place for students and staff.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

HHS STUDENTS PROVIDE COVER


From the May issue of The Cover Page, published by White River Junction's Corps of Volunteers Effecting Repair and Reuse: This Spring COVER Home Repair was fortunate to participate in Hanover High School's March Intensive, four days of diverse course offerings outside the usual curriculum. Two energetic groups of juniors and seniors, ages 16-18, participated in work projects for COVER. One group traveled to Canaan, NH where they framed walls and installed sheet rock for a family. What started off an unfinished basement became living space for the grandparents. The other group traveled to Plainfield, NH and enclosed a porch, adding an all-season room to the home of an elderly couple. Many of the students were experiencing their first construction project. They learned quickly and worked diligently. Questions were asked, measurements were taken, and skills were shared. It is evident from the quality of their workmanship that the projects were highly successful. Bonding between the students and homeowners noticeably grew, along with a positive orientation toward work skills and an increased awareness of community needs.... Many thanks to Stan Crane and Eric Richardson, the HHS coordinators for the project, and to all the student participants.

COVER provides critically needed home repair to needy neighbors. Over its ten years of continuous operation COVER has completed 350 projects.

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WEST SIDE STORY: "GREAT ENERGY; A HUGE SUCCESS; SINGERS, MUSICIANS ADMIRABLE"



Leah Kohn, class of 2008, writes: HHS's production of "West Side Story" would have been impressive merely for the sheer athleticism of its 60-member cast. There was a great deal of ensemble dancing, well-choreographed and performed smoothly and confidently. Whether dancing or not, the actors clambered and swung with great energy around the metal bars representing the modern cityscape. Even the less stylized fight scenes were relatively convincing. During the knife fight between Riff and Bernardo I found myself growing nervous.

The intensity was remarkable, the energy was high, and the audience was carried along with it and became completely absorbed in the story. It flowed. Not all of the emotional high points came across successfully, but very many of them did, and in such a dark and dramatic musical, this was a triumph. And while the Puerto Rican accents weren't completely convincing, and HHS students may not be naturally suited to play New York gang members, I can say with absolute conviction that it was a huge success.
Overall, the singing was at a high level. Both lead singers did an admirable job with very strenuous roles. Rebecca Whittington had just the right combination of innocence, youthful flirtatiousness, and determination for the part of Maria, and her voice was remarkably pretty. I was especially impressed with her high notes, which lacked that slightly strained quality that plagues so many young singers. Max Redman as Tony had several long solos ("Something's Coming" and "Maria") in which he was the only one on stage, and he gave excellent and energetic performances, without showing any signs of fatigue. He and Becca sang well together in duets, had good romantic chemistry onstage, and in general made a very convincing portrait of teenage infatuation.

The other main roles were also well played. Mila Pinigin was sultry and captivating in the role of Anita. She shone in her solo in "Tonight," and I thought that her anger and sorrow in "A Boy Like That" was one of the emotional high points of the show. Another performance that caught my attention was the beginning of "Cool," sung by Mark Whittington (Riff). It was incredibly musical, edgy and exciting.

Without a doubt the number that got the most applause was "Gee, Officer Krupke", sung by the Jets. And deservedly so, because it was absolutely hilarious and the audience was roaring with laughter the entire time (but not so much as to drown out the singers).

I really did not notice any weak members of the cast. There were many smaller roles, which I have not mentioned, which were well acted and, in many cases, extremely funny. I can only imagine the amount of rehearsal and hard work which went into creating a production of this quality.


And of course, the unsung (and unsinging) heroes of the evening were the members of the pit orchestra (which included five HHS students as well as local professionals) and the production staff. In a cramped space to the side of the stage, the pit orchestra had to play Bernstein's challenging music constantly for nearly three hours. They did a wonderful job. And then there were the many students who have spent the past few months working on designs, sets, costumes, lighting, sound, makeup, props, and a hundred other completely essential tasks while struggling to adjust to a new performance space and the numerous challenges it brought. Also much deserving of recognition are the director, Alan Haehnel, the musical director, Jane Woods, and the choreographer, Denise Frawley.

I was not entirely convinced by the opening of the show. I'm not sure what the director intended by having gang paraphernalia descend from the sky to be plucked up by a few of the actors. Perhaps he meant that we are all the same, but are forced into different roles? The issue of common humanity lost in senseless rivalry is certainly central to West Side Story (and Romeo and Juliet), but I would much rather have had the story speak for itself, rather than be informed beforehand what the message was.

The same was true of the ending. All the gang members on both sides reacted to Tony's death and Maria's grief by pulling off their gang bandannas and leather wristbands and joining hands. This seemed a bit forced and over the top, at the end of a story so realistic in its terrifying and inevitable spiral into tragedy.

Nick Sinnott-Armstrong, class of 2009, adds: HHS has a long history of producing Shakespearean plays and adaptations. One feature that set this production apart was its size. In fact, at 60 cast members, it is the largest HHS Footlighters production ever, larger even than the 56-member 1987 production of The Sound of Music. This year’s cast and crew equals almost 10% of HHS’s student body. What this means is that almost every class in school had at least one person involved in "West Side Story."

Two instructors returned from the last Footlighters "West Side Story" in 1999. Mr. Bill returned as Footlighters Advisor and Technical Coordinator, while Mrs. Woods continued as choral, orchestral, and musical director. The director for this show, Alan Haehnel, has worked with Footlighters before. He closed the old auditorium with Footloose two years ago and opened the new one with "West Side Story."

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE PIN


Anyone who has taught at HHS since 1961 can declare an international holiday any time he wants. Social Studies teacher Bill Murphy's thousands of students will remember his large collection of political pins showing candidates and causes of all varieties. He wears two or three different pins each day. An alert student captured International Pin Day 2008 in pictures with her cell phone.

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Friday, May 9, 2008

BRIAN GLENNEY, STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH FOR MAY


Council has voted Brian Glenney the Staff member of the Month for May. This is what was written on his nomination sheet: "Let me start by saying that I have never had Mr Glenney as a teacher, but he has been my Common Ground leader since freshman year. Mr Glenney, with his excellent sense of humor, makes Common Ground enjoyable and bearable. He is open to all new ideas. Judging by the posters and projects on the walls of his classroom it is clear that he puts effort into his teaching and gives his students a reason to do their best work. From friends I have learned that his teaching style enables students to master lesson easily. In Common Ground he leads us through serious discussions of the moral wrongs of cheating, the value of school lockdowns, and even an analysis of one of his favorite movies: 'Superbad.' Thanks, Mr Glenney!"

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Friday, May 2, 2008

BIOGAMETOGENESIS?!



Biology teacher Tom Hermanson writes: Honors Biology students practiced diagramming the process a cell undergoes to make reproductive cells called gametes. It is a process of "double cell division" called meiosis. This cellular dance involves a lot of highly ordered movement of chromosomes within the cell.

To help students wrap their heads around this concept, I asked them to draw it out in black and white on the slate surface of their desks, and then they walked their partners though the process. These simple models enabled them to quiz each other on chromosome number, internalize the steps, and visualize how chromosomes are passed on to offspring following certain observable patterns.

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