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Bedford High School finalist for NH Excellence in Education Awards

Bedford High School students took to the microphone to tell a special group of New Hampshire educators what it means to be a part of the Bedford High School community.

The high school is one of the finalists for the secondary New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards, or the “ED”ies. According to EDies.org, “It is the purpose of the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards Program to recognize New Hampshire schools and individuals who meet high standards of excellence.” The criteria for the “ED”ies awards are determined by the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards board of directors. The “ED”ies also are evaluated by selection committees made up of experienced educators and community leaders from across the state.

On Wednesday, March 28, BHS welcomed a selection committee to observe half of the school day. Judges first took part in a welcome breakfast with the administrators at the Bulldog Cafe. Next, they attended a mock Jeopardy show, which the BHS teachers and students prepared to tell judges all about the school.

The show, hosted by Jon Cannon, was filled with laughs and impressive statistics about BHS. For example, 60 percent of BHS students maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better; the average BHS student’s SAT score is 1662 (110 points above the state average); and BHS’s athletic program has achieved 12 state championships, all within the school’s history of only 855 days. BHS students Rachel Glazner, Muhammad Ahmednam and Aileen Lambert participated in the show.

“The sky’s the limit. These students care about their education,” said “ED”ies committee member and International Baccalaureate coordinator Peter Gagnon. “It’s truly a pleasure.” Gagnon first submitted a proposal for the “ED”ies Awards in December. In January, Gagnon and other BHS teachers presented it to the selection committee at Southern New Hampshire University, and in March, BHS was named a finalist for the secondary “ED”ies Awards.

After the opening event, judges attended advisories and sat in on classes, including World Religions, taught by Stuart Pepper. The class worked on a Buddhist children’s book, “Ellie the Elephant King of Goodness.” Students also have created a class blog that communicates with Riddle Brook Elementary School students, with the hopes of sharing knowledge about world religions and tips about what life is like in high school.

BHS students around the school also showed off some of their classwork. Featured projects included mock travel agencies to such faraway places as South America and Western and Eastern Europe; essays about the American Dream; engineered windmills constructed with materials from shop class; short films; and a mini art gallery. The judges’ visit ended with the opening number from the BHS production of “Into the Woods.”

This is Bedford High School’s first time participating in the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards. The winner and top finalist for the “ED”ies Awards will be announced in June.

Last year, the 2011 “ED”ies winner was Alvirne High School. This year, Alvirne High School’s principal, Bryan Lane, is one of the judges for the award.

“For us as educators, it’s good to see how different people do things,” Lane said.

Katelyn Dobbs can be reached at 594-6549 or kdobbs@nashuatelegraph.com.