On Monday, February 3, 2014, twenty-nine seniors from Hollis Brookline High School were recognized at the Division II Scholar Athlete Awards ceremony at the Capitol Center of the Arts in Concord, New Hampshire. Each year, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) and Athletic Directors’ Association’s (NHADA) present awards to student athletes that maintain a B+ average, actively participate in two or more varsity sports and participate in community service activities during their high school career.

During the event, a handful of guest speakers spoke to the scholar athletes, parents, and other attendees about the significance of being involved in athletics during the high school years. The first speaker at the event, Howard Sobolov, President of the NHADA, said to the scholar athletes, “As scholar athletes in your high school you have demonstrated that commitment, hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship have real meaning. As you travel out into life you will benefit from these strong character traits.” Governor Maggie Hassan, although unable to attend the event for Division II athletes, elaborated on Sobolov’s speech when she wrote about how sports “are an effective means for athletes of all ages to develop important life-affirming skills such as self-discipline, leadership, tolerance of others, and confidence”. Other positive skills gained through participation in athletics that Hassan touched on in her proclamation include: a strong body, mind, and spirit, motor skills, cooperation, communication, and fair play. All of the skills that athletes gain through participation in their designated sports set them up with the skills necessary to succeed in school, at home, and at work. While “98% of the student athletes will attain a higher education,” as NHIAA Executive Director R. Patrick Corbin said, all skills gained through participation in athletics will be put to good use, and align students for bright futures in their designated fields in the years to come.

Congratulations to the following HB seniors for being recognized as New Hampshire Scholar Athletes: Lindsey Beauregard, Michaela Day, Gigi Eliopoulos, Meghan Flanagan, Mollie Gillis, Suzanne Kagenski, Fiona Kennedy, Sydney MacLeod, Sarah Mauser, Emma Newton, Lauria Patz, Meghan Philpot, Sarah Pugh, Sam Slater, Maria Snyder, Sara Swabowicz, Meghan Sweeney, Nicky Wholey, Ryan Buckley, Harrison Fetter, Nick Garside, Nick Leonard, Kyle Lorden, Matt Mailloux, Alex Merryman, Ryan Papineau, Christian Parenteau, Joe Spohn and Sam Whitaker.