The Souhegan Scoop
May 17, 2024
Upcoming Events
Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar. Click here for the official SAU 39 school year calendar. Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar.
Community-Wide Announcements & Reminders
Memorial Day Parade
All are welcome to attend Amherst's Memorial Day Parade on Friday, May 24 starting at 5:30PM!
School Highlights
Great East Music Festival
Congratulations to the Souhegan band and choir students for both earning gold medals at the Great East Music Festival today!
Odiorne Point Field Trip
On May 1st, 2024 over 80 marine science students visited the intertidal zone at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire. This was the students second trip to the rocky shore this year. In the fall they contributed abundance data on the invasive crab species to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to help scientists better understand the impacts of invasive species in the Gulf of Maine. Using that research as a model, students have been developing their own research project ideas. For our second visit to New Hampshire's seacoast, students collected data on their own inquiry questions to help better understand changes taking place in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. The following is just a few examples from over 40 different inquiry projects from our marine science students:
What species of nudibranch is the most abundant in the intertidal zone, and how have they adapted to their environment?
Where is there an abundance of invasive seaweed populations and is their abundance larger than the abundance of native populations at Odiorne Point State Park?
How does nitrogen pollution affect seaweed in the intertidal zone?
How is increasing ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine affecting Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (the green sea urchin)?
What are the effects of ocean acidification in the intertidal zone on Corallina officinalis (a coralline algae) in the Gulf of Maine at Odiorne Point State Park?
It is a powerful experience to witness so many curious students, fully immersed in their data collection, in a beautiful environment, and all of them seeking answers to their own unique questions. Some of the highlights of our day included the discovery of the presence of an invasive nudibranch that we hadn’t previously seen at Odiorne, an increase in the number of sea urchins present, after a few years of their decreased abundance, a difference in the size of invasive crabs than we had seen in the fall (they were much larger on average this visit) and the presence of the northern sea star which hadn’t been seen for a number of years due to Sea Star Wasting Disease. It is amazing that at a place that is heavily visited by school groups every year, it is still possible for our students to make new, meaningful discoveries every time we visit. Our Souhegan marine scientists are currently engaged with analyzing their data and forming conclusions from their research. The Gulf of Maine is our own local ocean and it is experiencing rapid changes due to a changing climate. The work these students are doing gives us a better understanding of how these changes affect the intertidal zone and is helping scientists to monitor this ecosystem. Stay tuned to see the students’ published work by the end of the year! Thank you so much for all of the support from families for helping to make these adventures possible!
Julianne Mueller-Northcott
One of the five invasive nudibranchs we discovered, Doris pseudoargus. This species is commonly known as the “Sea Lemon” and native to northern Europe, but its current range is expanding throughout the Gulf of Maine.
Saber Spotlight
Click here to view slides from the Saber Spotlight that was held on Monday, 5/13.
Student Services
AP Tests
We had 149 Students taking 212 AP Exams over the past two weeks - congratulations on the hard work to all of the students who tested! Exam scores will be available to students in early July through their MyAP account. Students have the ability to send 1 free score report to a College - and have until June 20th to take advantage of this. Score reports include scores for each exam taken. After June 20th, students can still request scores to be sent to a college for a fee. AP scores are used by colleges to determine credit or advanced standing, it is not part of the admission process. Juniors should wait until their senior year because they do not know which college they will attend and may anticipate taking more exams. Students can send AP Scores by logging into the AP Score Send site with their College Board login and clicking the Send Scores link.
May Newsletter
Please find the May Student Services newsletter here. Highlights include: SAT Weekend Test Info; Senior Info for Requesting Final Transcripts to Colleges & Updating Post-Grad Plans; May Mental Health Awareness Month; PSAT 10 Follow Up Resources; Recommendation Letters & Counselor Meetings for Juniors.
Senior Year Notes
Senior End of Year Details
Seniors and families: Last Friday, an email was sent with crucial end-of-year details. As you near the end of your high school journey, it's vital to stay on track with coursework and make positive choices. Your decisions could affect participation in upcoming Senior Events, including graduation. If you have note done so already, please review this document for important information on graduation readiness, Senior Awards and Scholarship Night, senior week, and graduation. Be sure to read it carefully as it will continue to be updated over the coming weeks.
Senior Project
Senior Project Presentations Days will take place next week! Every senior has been made aware of their presentation date and time, available on this spreadsheet (organized by day and time). We are excited about these two days and welcome community involvement. If you are a parent of a senior please encourage your friends, neighbors and relatives to come and enjoy your child's presentation. If you are a community member feel free to drop in and watch our Souhegan seniors in action.
Please make sure to allow enough time to park and find the classroom where the presentation you are planning to attend is taking place. Classroom doors close at the listed starting times; in order to respect our presenters we don't allow late admission.
We have a great lineup of presentations, and are looking forward to a wonderful two days!
Project Graduation
Get ready for a night of celebration at Project Graduation! This event is exclusively for seniors and will take place on June 14th from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM at Souhegan. Entertainment for the night will include a hypnotist, and dinner & dessert will be served. Please complete and return your permission slip promptly to secure your spot at this special event. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
From the Info Center
In an effort to tie up some loose ends before graduation, we encourage students to stop by the Info Center and make sure they know what is currently on their library account. While students may need some texts through finals, we encourage graduating students to return any library materials or instructional texts they no longer are using as soon as possible, and pay for any lost materials. Library accounts need to be clear before students can receive their caps and gowns. Lost or damaged materials can be paid for via cash, check (made out to “SHS Student Activities Fund” and dropped off at the Info Center), or credit card. To pay via credit card, please use the following link https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZH4SNSQO2083HC_ZZ5SP2OL0AQTSH8 to pay with MySchoolBucks, specifying the name of the student when paying.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Personalized Class of 2024 Banners & Yard Signs
Annual Baboosic Lake Rowing Club Raffle
Community News
Community Service Opportunities
Click here to view available community service opportunities!
Get To Know SHS!
Meet the wonderful and talented staff members of SHS!
Marjie Hobbs
What is your role at Souhegan?
Library Circulation Manager
How long have you been with Souhegan?
This is my 24th year!
What do you love about your job?
I enjoy helping students with their library, research or reading needs, mentoring students interested in Library Science, offering creative and diverse library programming, and leading experiential learning trips. I also love collaborating with the amazing teachers and staff here at Souhegan!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to travel, visiting family and friends from around the world. I am also committed to community based volunteerism so I spend time supporting a few local organizations including Creating Friendships for Peace, International Institute of New England and Together Women Rise. I am always reading a good book at any given time!
If you were given one wish what would it be?
That my life continues to be filled with amazing people and wonderful adventures!
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."
Community Council
Community Council Community Member Representatives
The Souhegan Cooperative School District is accepting applications for Community Member Representatives for Souhegan High School Community Council.
Community Council is comprised of elected students, community members, school board, and faculty/staff of Souhegan High School. It is tasked with considering and ruling on proposals regarding student life, school initiatives, disciplinary procedure, grading procedure, and any other matter of importance to the school community. Community Council operates as a link between students, the community, the school board, and the faculty and staff of the school.
Community Council meets as a body at Souhegan High School every Monday at 3:00pm for about 45 minutes. On the first Monday of the month, Community Council meets in the evening starting at 5:00pm.
The time period for reaching out to the community asking for interested candidates has changed to the Spring so new members are aligned with the start of Community Council leadership. Also, as an effort to work together as a committee, the community members will serve two year terms. For this process, we are looking for two community members from Amherst and one community member from Mont Vernon.
If you are interested in serving on Community Council, please submit a letter of intent to:
Chelsea Borden (Executive Assistant) cborden@sau39.org
or by mail: 1 School Street, Amherst, NH, 03031
Letters are due no later than June 1, 2024
Saber Nation
Yearbook Club
Yearbooks can now be reserved using myschoolbucks.com!
Don’t miss out on all of the memories from the 2024 school year! Yearbook distribution will begin in June, reserve your copy today using this link or QR code!!
Interact Club
Souhegan Interact is hosting a gift card drive with the International Institute of New England in order to help refugees and immigrants that are in our community. The International Institute of New England works to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. They also have programs to help parents, adults and kids in many different aspects, from after school care to having volunteers who are willing to drive people to their appointments. Something as simple as a gift card can make it possible for groceries to cost a little less or to buy their kids some new clothes. Thank you so much for being willing to give! Gift cards can be brought into student services and given to Lynda or Michelle!
Athletics
Upcoming Events
- The Track and Field State Meet is Friday, May 24, 2024.
- The Boys and Girls Tennis team tournament starts next week - Prelims are 5/21 & 5/22.
Signing Day
Congratulations to Owen Stine, Allison Jordan, Nick Nowak, Zach Wyborney, Brett Bouvier and JJ Bright! Best of luck next year and moving forward with your Athletic and Academic careers!
- Owen Stine - Rice University
- Allison Jordan - Endicott College
- Nick Nowak - St. Anselm College
- Zach Wyborney - Wheaton College
- Brett Bouvier - Wheaton College
- JJ Bright - Phillips Exeter Academy
Track and Field
Cole Henderson has been a dedicated Track and Field Athlete for 4 Years, and on Tuesday afternoon he turned in one of his best performances to date, winning the 110 Hurdles in a season best 15.51, winning the 300M Hurdles in a personal best 42.12, winning the Long Jump with a leap of 19'4.25", and placing 4th in the Pole Vault with a leap of 9'6"!
Several other seniors also turned in some excellent performances including Carson Behn who sprinted to 3rd in both the 100M and 200M against some stiff competition, and then anchored the 4x400M relay team to victory with the fastest split in years by a Souhegan athlete - a blazing 50.9! Senior Finley Irvine came from behind with a powerful kick to win the 800M in 2:00.90, a huge personal best, and #8 All Time SHS; Seniors Logan Brown and Declan Steele vaulted to 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the Pole Vault with leaps of 10'0"; and Senior Luis Estella placed 3rd in the Shot Put with a heave of 35' 6", and 3rd in the Javelin with a chuck of 86 feet. Making sure the seniors didn't get all of the attention, sophomore Owen Pisinsksi won the Pole Vault by a foot and a half at 11'6"! and also placed 3rd in the 110M Hurdles in 17.65.
Emma Tapley won the 300M Hurdles, and placed 3rd in the pole vault (7'6") to score 9 points for Souhegan in a home meet against Goffstown, Hollis-Brookline, and Milford. Aryana Ghosh and Mary Howell also placed in two events, with Ghosh sprinting to 2nd in the 200M, and 3rd in the 100M in a speedy personal best of 13.75, and Howell hurdling to 2nd in the 100M Hurdles, and clearing 7'0" to take 4th in the Pole Vault.
Also placing high for the Sabers were Dylan Walker, whose personal best of 8'0" in the Pole Vault garnered her 2nd place, and a tie for #3 All Time SHS at that event!, and Ainsley Dickinson who also earned a 2nd place finish with a personal best toss of 26' 2" in the Shot Put.
- Coach Jeff Wilson
Contact us!
Website: https://www.sau39.org/shs
Location: 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH, USA
Phone: (603) 673-9940
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souheganhs
Twitter: @SouheganHS