Category: News

Getting ahead

On leaving high school with an associate degree

Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school located at Manchester Community College, recently celebrated its inaugural graduating class of nine students, who obtained both their high school diplomas and associate degrees simultaneously. One of these graduates, Caleb Smith of Manchester, shared his experiences at Spark and discussed the promising career opportunities that await him and his peers.

Tell us about your journey toward choosing Spark Academy and what led you to pursue this alternative high school experience.

When I was in eighth grade … I saw an ad for Spark Academy at a Fisher Cats game. The ad mentioned new opportunities for students, so I attended an info night with my mother. We both loved what we saw. I was immediately interested when they said they could graduate students with an associate’s degree right out of high school.

What was the curriculum like?

Basically, instead of taking traditional high school classes, we took college classes as dual enrollment — for both college and high school credits. … During the first two years, we were strictly at Spark Academy and took college classes that the Spark teachers were trained to teach, like basic CAD, robotic design and electrical fundamentals. In the third year, we gained full access to the college and could choose our own classes. Some professors knew we were high school students, and some didn’t. … This also allowed for accelerated learning based on [each student’s] capabilities. For example, I took Calculus I for my math credit, while some of my classmates went up to Calculus IV or Differential Equations. … Some of the classes were challenging, but as long as I dedicated enough time to them, they were manageable.

What degrees and certificates did you graduate with?

I earned an associate’s degree in advanced manufacturing. I also got a certificate in mechatronics. Not many people know what that is; it’s an electronic and mechanical system that’s used to automate an entire process. It’s very important in today’s industry and manufacturing world, and a lot of companies value that degree or certificate. Over the summer, I’m also going to be finishing up my certificate in robotics, which covers operating, programming and building robots to automate tasks.

What career opportunities has this path opened for you right out of high school?

It opens up opportunities in the field of manufacturing. … As part of the Spark program, we took a class called Systems One, which acted as our senior project. We could choose between doing a comprehensive project or securing an internship. I got an internship at Summit Packaging Systems, and that has provided valuable job pathways and networking opportunities. I’m working there now in inspection but will soon move to the machine shop. I learned to use CNC machines, problem-solving skills and various technologies relevant to my current work while I was at Spark. There are all kinds of [workplaces] around here that are looking for these kinds of skills. Some of my classmates with the same degree are working as mechanical engineers at DEKA or operating machinery at General Electric.

Are you content with your high school experience, even though you may have missed out on certain traditional elements?

It’s true that with such a small class and a class that was predominantly male, we couldn’t really have a prom or dances and stuff. But one of the extracurriculars they offered was the chance to compete in VEX Robotics on a robotics team, and this year we made it to the World Championship and got to go to Dallas for that, and that was really cool. … Honestly, I’m extremely happy to be in the position I’m in right now. It’s been great being one of the first graduates of the founding class.

What guidance or advice would you offer to future classes or students who are considering attending Spark Academy?

If you’re on the edge and not sure if you want to go or not, definitely take the leap. Worse comes to worst, you don’t like it, and you can back out and go to a different school. And, if you don’t like the Advanced Manufacturing pathway after the second year, you can choose a different path for yourself that will still be giving you early access to college [curriculum and credits]

Featured photo: Caleb Smith. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/06/15

Protest at coal plant

A group of 75 climate activists and advocates of the No Coal No Gas campaign gathered outside Merrimack Station in Bow last week to demand the retirement of the coal plant and an end to the fossil fuel era. According to a press release, the event coincided with upcoming retirement offers for electricity generators in New England, providing an opportunity for the closure of Merrimack Station, and the activists expressed their determination to end the use of coal if the owners of the plant, Granite Shore Power, do not take action. Wearing white Tyvek suits, they raised signs with messages like “Happy Retirement, Merrimack Station,” “Shut it down” and “Climate justice now,” expressed concerns about the plant’s pollution’s impact on the environment and community health, and emphasized their belief in the need to phase out fossil fuels and the importance of not replacing the coal plant with a gas plant or expanding fracked gas projects, but rather turning to clean and renewable energy to mitigate the climate crisis. Law enforcement stood by, including Bow police, state troopers, an aerial drone and water patrol. The No Coal No Gas campaign is supported by various organizations dedicated to environmental justice and climate action. The gathering was part of a nationwide series of actions planned for June 8 through June 11 to end fossil fuel projects and address climate change, according to the release.

Guns scrapped

Gun violence prevention advocates, including GunSense NH and other members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, organized a “Guns to Gardens” event at Concord Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord on June 10. According to a press release, the event allowed gun owners to voluntarily surrender their firearms, and 31 unwanted firearms, including an AR-15, were taken out of circulation. New Hampshire law prohibits the destruction of firearms by law enforcement, so Guns to Gardens offers an alternative for disposing of unwanted guns: The unloaded firearms were disarmed by trained volunteers and rendered inoperable, and the scrap metal from the firearms will be donated for metal artists to repurpose into garden tools. “This effort is a great opportunity for Granite Staters who want to remove unwanted firearms from their homes without putting them back out on the market,” Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, said in the release. “We are excited that so many people came out to our first Guns to Gardens event with the goal to reduce unwanted firearms in our homes and instead transform them into something more useful, and less harmful, to our community.”

Aeronautical Institute to open

A new online higher education institution, the New England Aeronautical Institute (NEAI), is set to open in New Hampshire. According to a press release, NEAI, approved by state legislators, will offer its inaugural term starting this fall, providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree. The Institute will specialize in flight operations and the managerial aspects of the aviation industry, aiming to address the future demands of aeronautics. With the first day of classes scheduled for Oct. 9, NEAI is poised to fill a gap in the state’s educational landscape by offering flight operations training and academic programs to enhance professional careers in aviation. The arrival of NEAI has been met with enthusiasm from state officials, including Frank Edelblut, the education commissioner, who highlighted the expanded academic and career possibilities it brings to New Hampshire students.

Fighting spam

Attorney General John M. Formella has joined a coalition of 28 state Attorneys General in urging the Federal Communications Commission to clarify telemarketing rules regarding consent for robocalls and texts. According to a press release, the coalition supports the FCC’s proposed amendment to ensure that National Do Not Call Registry protections also apply to text messages. The amendment aims to close a “lead generator loophole” by requiring consent for multiple entities that are logically and topically associated and listed on the same webpage. However, the Attorneys General argue in their letter that the proposed action may introduce ambiguity and suggest that clarification of the existing single seller-to-individual consumer language would be more effective.

House passes amended SB58

An amended bill addressing the issue of arrests without a warrant while under the care of medical professionals on the premises of residential care or health care facilities has been passed by the House. According to a press release, medical personnel have been required to provide emergency care to anyone who seeks it, even if they exhibit abusive behavior. However, if a health care worker is threatened or assaulted, law enforcement cannot make an arrest because the violence did not occur in their presence. The amended version of SB58 allows for the arrest of individuals who disrupt medical care through threats or actual violence. Once the necessary care is provided, the police will have the authority to remove such individuals from the premises.

Easterseals NH will soon reveal design concepts for its planned military and veterans campus, which will be the first of its kind in the state, according to a press release. Supported by $23 million in Covid Relief Funding from the state, Easterseals NH aims to enhance its efforts in the military community through the redevelopment of its 15-acre campus in Franklin. The campus will feature affordable rental housing for veterans, a hub of services for various military service providers, a retreat center and opportunities for therapeutic recreation.

Intown Concord’s Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, will return for its 49th year on Thursday, June 22, with festivities through Saturday, June 24, including local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. According to a press release, this year’s festival will have a new approach as a sustainable event, featuring initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com.

The Manchester School District will hold graduation ceremonies for all four of its high schools, on Saturday, June 17, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester. According to a press release, there will be two ceremonies in the morning — Manchester School of Technology High School at 8 a.m., and Manchester Central High School at 10 a.m. — and two in the afternoon — Manchester High School West at 2 p.m., and Manchester Memorial High School at 5:30 p.m. West High School will be hosting its 100th anniversary gala at the Millyard Museum from 4 to 6 p.m. on the same day.

This Week 23/06/08

Big Events June 8, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, June 8

Celebrating Billy Joel – America’s Piano Man is coming to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the pianist’s album Piano Man. The multi-instrumental band will play all of Joel’s hits. Tickets to the show cost $29 to $59 and can be purchased at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Saturday, June 10

Today is the first day of the Motorcycle Week at New Hampshire Motor Speedways (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon) starting at 10 a.m. The event runs from today through June 18 with events on and off the track, like demo rides by Katancha and Harley-Davidson, USCRA FIM North American Vintage Championship races, and classes with Penguin Roadracing School. The event is free to attend. Visit nhms.com for more information.

Saturday, June 10

Join The Sweet Spot at Sheridan Emmett Park (324 Beech St., Manchester) for a Summer Kickoff Craft Fair from noon to 4 p.m. There will be 40 vendors selling crafts and goods. For more information, visit facebook.com/thesweetspotandco.

Saturday, June 10

The Range (96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason) has the first concert in its Summer Concert Series tonight. The show will feature jam band Max Creek, which first formed in 1971. Tickets cost $30 in advance, $38 the day of, and kids younger than 6 years old are free. Visit therangemason.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

Sunday, June 11

NH Guitars (41 Range Road, Windham) is hosting an informal summer jam session outside the shop today from 2 to 5 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring their own guitars or pick one up at the shop and join the team of instructors and professional musicians. Custom bass and guitar builder Mike Saint Germain will be at the jam for a meet-and-greet. For more information visit nhguitars.com.

Tuesday, June 13

SEE Science Center is teaming up with Science on Tap and Science Café NH to present Science Discussion Roadshow at the VFW Post 8641 (292 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). The topic will be the science behind ice cream. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. More information about this event can be found at see-sciencecenter.org.

Tuesday, June 13

The Henniker Concert Series starts tonight with Peabody’s Coal Train, a New Hampshire-based Americana six-piece band that started up in 2023. The concert is at 6:30 p.m. at the Angela Robinson Bandstand (57 Main St.). In case of rain the event will be moved to the Community Center adjacent to the park. There will be food available by Primetime Grilled Cheese. Visit Facebook.com/HennikerConcert.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 17
The awards ceremony for the 23rd annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic is today at 8 p.m. on the Hampton Beach Sea Shell Stage (100 Ocean Blvd.). Voting for the people’s choice portion of the award will be from 1 to 3 p.m. The ceremony is followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The sculptures will be on display at Hampton Beach through June 26. For more information visit hamptonbeach.org

Quality of Life 23/06/08

Working ahead

Nine New Hampshire high school students this month received both their high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time. According to a press release, the students are the inaugural graduating class of Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school on the campus of Manchester Community College that opened in 2019. The school offers dual-credit programs with a focus on mechatronics, allowing high school students to receive an associate degree in advanced manufacturing from Manchester Community College the same year they graduate from high school. The graduates have already secured internships at prominent companies, according to the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Spark Academy plans to expand its offerings to include a degree program in bio fabrication, and openings for the upcoming academic year are still available.

Sustainable fun

Intown Concord, in partnership with New Hampshire Federal Credit Union, has set out to make Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, a sustainable event. According to a press release, the festival, planned for June 22 through June 24, will feature initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the key sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com to learn more.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “By making Market Days a sustainable event, we hope to inspire other festivals, organizations, and individuals to adopt similar practices, creating a greener and more sustainable future for our community,” Intown Concord stated in the release.

We’re spendy

A recent study by Forbes Advisor that examined budgeting, debt management and financial planning across the 50 states revealed that New Hampshire ranked as the sixth least financially disciplined state. According to the study, only 56 percent of residents follow a budget that guides their spending; 22 percent regularly save a portion of their monthly income; 32 percent contribute to a retirement account; 26 percent usually achieve their financial goals, such as paying off student loans; and only 18 percent claim to possess high levels of financial discipline.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The study notes low unemployment as a possible factor in securing Alabama’s status as the most financially disciplined state, though interestingly, New Hampshire surpasses Alabama in that area, ranking third for unemployment, while Alabama ranks sixth.

QOL score: 76

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 77

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

Honoring those who served

The Big Story – Baseball Took a Hit on D-Day: In the last week we have remembered with reverence and awe the courage and sacrifice made by American servicemen and women with Memorial Day and the 79th anniversary of D-Day, which I think is the greatest day in our history for what America stands for. Below I recognize athletes, especially baseball players, for their service in World War II and on D-Day. In the meantime, thank you for your service.

Sports 101: Name the baseball player who spied behind German lines for the U.S. during World War II.

News Item – Down Goes Chris Sale, Again: With the ERA at 2.23 in his previous five starts, when he struck out 37 and walked just four over 32.1 innings, it all seemed to be going so well. But the fingers are always crossed with Sale, because sooner or later something seems to go wrong. And it did last week when he had to leave after 3.2 innings vs. Cincinnati with an inflamed left shoulder that led to his latest IL stint.

News Item – Panicsville Hits the Hoop Hub: With the Celtics going out of the playoffs earlier than anyone wanted, there is a huge hue and cry locally to make big changes. In situations like this, I wonder what Red Auerbach might have done. Conveniently we can look back at what he said and did after the Celtics were swept out of the playoffs by the Bucks in 1983. Red’s response was, “You don’t go into panicsville to break up a ball club as good as this one just because you lose one series.”

Bill Fitch did step down as coach. But Red kept the core intact by ponying up the big bucks to re-sign free agent Kevin McHale,who was a whisker away from signing with the Knicks. And then somehow got Dennis Johnson and a first-round pick in a trade for back-up center Rick Robey. Both were keys to winning it all in 1984 and again in ’86.

The lesson: The worst time to make decisions is when emotions are raw. Take time, assess, and then act.

A Little History – Baseball at War, 1942-1945: A look at three Hall of Famers who saw WWII action on D-Day and elsewhere.

Yogi Berra: Nineteen-year-old Lawrence Peter Berra was on the USS Bayfield ferrying troops to Omaha Beach and providing cover for them on D-Day, and he earned a Purple Heart after being wounded by German fire.

Bob Feller: By joining the Navy two days after Pearl Harbor he was the first big-leaguer to enlist in the service, a naval gunnery officer who fought in the Pacific aboard the USS Alabama. It’s likely the 266-game winner lost 100 career wins due to his four years served.

Warren Spahn: The 363-game winner was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star after seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge and the Bridge at Remagen.

The Numbers:

.280 – May batting average for Sox rookie Triston Casas after being buried at .131 at the end of April.

0 – points scored on 10 shots taken by Miami’s Max Strus in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

8 – fouls called on Denver to 15 on Miami in Game 1.

Random Leftover Celtics Thoughts:

Is Charles Barkley ever right? After saying everyone in America knows Miami won’t win Game 7, the winner of exactly zero NBA titles called the Celtics failures after Miami did win. Making the question, well, Chuck, if they’re as bad as you say they are, then what kind of a numbskull would pick them to win Game 7?

Was Caleb Martin scoring just three points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after annihilating the Celtics in their series just because he was due for a bad game, or because they actually decided to just cover him?

No question Marcus Smart is a disruptor and versatile team defender. But he’s not the lock-down individual defender he’s made out to be. Said another way, he’s no Michael Cooper or Scottie Pippen in one-on-one match-ups.

Sports 101 Answer: Journeyman catcher Moe Berg, who was Jewish and who spoke several languages after graduating from Princeton and Columbia Law School, spied behind Nazi lines gathering intelligence on their nuclear program.

Final Thought: Kendrick Perkins says Larry Bird was no legend.

In saying he’s not on ESPN’s First Take to make friends, mission accomplished. But is Perk’s role to be a complete blithering idiot instead? When you’re a Gen-X journeyman who never actually saw the greatness of Bird in person, speaking nonsense like Bird was not a legend because “he never won a scoring title” lets people know you have no clue about Bird’s dominant impact in 99.9 percent of the games he played.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Finding Gold

Upcycling project earns a Girl Scout Gold Award

Anya Merriman-Mix of Amherst, a Girl Scout and high school senior at The Dublin School, recently earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, investing more than 93 hours and more than $500 in funding in organizing sustainable fashion workshops. Merriman-Mix talked about her initiative to raise awareness about the harmful effects of fast fashion and promote upcycling as a viable solution.

What inspired you to raise awareness about the impact of fast fashion and promote upcycling?

During Covid, when I was stuck in my house and trying to find things to do, I saw a bunch of people making their own tops, by crocheting them or using recycled materials. … I started doing some research around it … and into fast fashion and the impact that it has on other countries. … The fashion industry no longer operates around just four seasons; it puts out new styles every few weeks. This results in a huge influx of clothes that stay in stores for a short period, then get sent back to the countries they came from if they’re not sold. I found all this really interesting. I regularly go through my closet and donate or give away anything I don’t want, and I discovered that many donations given to places like Goodwill aren’t always bought, and a lot of it is unusable. If something gets donated and sits there for a long time, it also gets sent back [to other countries]. There’s an overflow of clothes and fabrics that aren’t needed and can’t be reused and end up in landfills. I wanted to raise awareness and make people more conscious of their clothing-buying decisions … and I noticed that many people have no idea what upcycling is when I bring it up.

How did this translate into a project for Girl Scouts, and what did that project consist of?

I decided to propose an upcycling course for my school during what’s called “J-term,” which is a two-week period in January when my school offers various courses. A couple of teachers expressed interest, and we worked together to create the course. That’s when I decided to turn it into my Gold Award project [for Girl Scouts]. … I also ran a workshop for Brownies where they made their own tote bags and dreamcatchers. What’s interesting is [the Brownies] actually took the extra fabric from their dreamcatchers and started making bracelets out of it … they took it upon themselves, which was really great to see. I’m going to teach another upcycling course at a Girl Scout summer camp this year. I also created a website, and I’ve connected with a woman in Milford who does upcycling through her company called Mountain Girl.

How can individuals who are not creatively inclined toward upcycling dispose of their unwanted clothing and fabrics responsibly?

If you can’t find someone to give them to directly, donating clothes is always a better option than throwing them away. There are higher-end thrift stores like Mother and Child that accept good quality clothes. Companies like Lululemon and Patagonia also have buyback programs where you can return old clothes for them to resell.

How has this project changed the way you think about and manage clothes in your own life?

I try not to buy clothes unless I need something specific for an event or it’s something that I truly love and know for sure that I’ll wear again. I look for higher-end brands that are moderately affordable, because they usually offer better quality.

What skills aside from upcycling have you developed through this project?

Public speaking and advocacy were significant skills I developed. I had to communicate and convince different people about my project and learn to adapt my message for different audiences, such as teachers, Girl Scouts council members and Brownies.

What advice do you have for other Girl Scouts who are working toward earning the Gold Award?

If you have an interest, start researching and brainstorming ideas. I had been passionate about upcycling for a few years, but I didn’t have much preparation or knowledge at the beginning [of the project], so I learned things as I went along. … Not everything goes smoothly all the time, but it’s definitely worth a shot. I know I’m really glad I took on this project.

Featured photo: Anya Merriman-Mix. Courtesy photo.

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