Pelham News : High School

Pelham’s Helliwell uses football to help tackle classroom difficulties

Salem Editor — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:57:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bill Helliwell decided to give high school one more shot.

Now, he’s giving college a shot.

During his freshman year of high school, Helliwell decided school was not for him, and for the last month of the year he didn’t attend, instead getting a full-time job that he worked at throughout that summer.

Toward the end of the summer, Helliwell decided to give the classroom a final chance, and that year he found the football field.

Through his gridiron participation, Helliwell learned dedication that transcended his position as a defensive tackle.

“Football changed my life, which is why I have such a respect for the sport,” said Helliwell, who wound up on the honor roll and graduated with high honors. “It wasn’t just about playing a game. Football changed me as a person.”

Python head coach Tom Babaian instilled the work ethic that helped Helliwell on the football field, and the mentor also kept an eye on the tackle in the hallways of the school to make sure he was staying out of trouble.

“Coach rode us hard,” said Helliwell. “He would be on our case, and he’d tell us that when you’re tired, you don’t give up. You will not stop, because you’re going for that one goal. I applied that to everything, and that’s what made me realize that school wasn’t that difficult.”

One of Helliwell’s closest Python teammates was star running back Bruce Vieira, as the two developed a friendship while training together each summer.

“Coach was a big factor in (Helliwell’s progress),” said Vieira. “He always pushed Bill to his limits and a little bit past them. He could have given up on Bill from the get go, but he gave him a chance and it paid off with him becoming an allstate player.”

Helliwell’s high school career culminated with a berth in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, where he earned a starting spot.

Thanks to his hard work in the classroom and participation in night classes to make up for the time he missed, Helliwell will also be attending Husson University, where he will play football.

Though Vermont’s offensive line during the Shrine Bowl implemented a different strategy than Helliwell was accustomed to, he was still able to apply pressure during New Hampshire’s 40-6 victory on Saturday, August 1.

“For throwing a team together in two weeks, we did a great job of meshing together as a team,” said Helliwell, who also said he’s ready to take the field for Husson after his Shrine experience. “I’ve got the football fever now.”

Helliwell admitted he was tired in the first half, but got his legs underneath him and came out strong in the second half, getting penetration and recording several tackles. Seeing his friend named to the game had a big impact on Vieira.

“The path he took was quite a path, going from where he was to making the Shrine Bowl,” said Vieira. “Being a part of that and helping him in school and football really was something that meant a lot to me as well.”

The victory was secondary for Helliwell, who was excited to have been named to the team because it signified just how far he had come.

“A few years ago nobody would believe that I’d make it to the Shrine Bowl when nobody thought I was going to be anything,” said Helliwell. “It was the best day of my life.”

147 graduate from Pelham High School

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:29:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Despite the weather forecast, members of the Class of 2009 had a warm send-off on Friday, June 19, as parents, relatives, friends and teachers looked on under clear skies.

The 147 graduating seniors received their diplomas on the sun-soaked Pelham High School athletic fields amid calls to both embrace the future and hold on to the past. Salutatorian Gina Guimond called on her classmates to remember those who had helped them pass through the obstacles and overcome the challenges on the path to graduation.

“Not all of our successes have come easy. We all owe many things to those individuals who guided us along the way,” said Guimond. “Four years ago, we walked into high school as scared little freshmen. Now we’re leaving as adults ... Our journey together is just ending, but a new one is beginning.”

Valedictorian Cassandra Costello echoed Guimond’s sentiments, urging her classmates to remember all the individuals who offered help and wisdom during the trials and tribulations of the years leading up to their graduation.

“Look at these people who have helped make all of this possible. Think of all the times they were there pushing us.” she said. “These people have taught us a lot. Be that motivational voice in somebody else’s life.”

Costello also called on her classmates to follow their dreams.

“Don’t ever forget your dreams. Figure out your passions,” Costello said. “Here’s to hoping none of us fail.”

Class President Christine Downs urged her fellow graduates to seize the day, for every day of their lives from high school on forward. Though they have spent much time looking to the future, Costello told her classmates to change their focus to the present and put worries about tomorrow and regrets from yesterday aside.

According to Principal Dorothy Mohr, the members of the Class of 2009 set a school record for the highest number of students to take advanced placement classes during their high school career. As a whole, the group earned 906 college credits before graduation, she said. Mohr also recognized Nathaniel Libby, Ryan Daigle and Joseph Doyon for entering the armed forces upon their graduation.

“You have learned to accept responsibilities for your actions,” Mohr told the graduating class of seniors. “Now put action and motion into your dreams.”

New high school tops warrants at deliberative session

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:59:00 GMT

By Darrell Halen

Some big ticket items are on the Pelham School District ballot this year, and voters will get a chance to weigh in on them, and other warrant articles, at the district’s deliberative session.

Voters will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 6, starting at 7 p.m., at Pelham Elementary School.

Three of the most expensive warrant articles being recommended by the School Board deal with Pelham High School – purchasing land for a new school, constructing the building and adding an auditorium to it.

A $3 million bond article would authorize the school district to buy two parcels of land, totaling approximately 48 acres, off Windham Road on which to build the new school. The district has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the landowners.

The construction and original equipping of the new high school is being proposed in a $44,665,000 bond warrant article. Of that amount, $41,411,000 is for the high school project, while $3,254,000 is to renovate the current high school into a school for grades 7 and 8.

A $3,116,000 bond article would fund the addition of an auditorium at the new high school.

All three bond articles require a 60 percent majority to pass when voters go to the polls on Tuesday, March 11. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the high school.

Passage of the school construction and renovation article is contingent upon the land purchase being approved. Likewise, passage of the auditorium article is contingent upon the new school being approved.

The Budget Committee is recommending that the land be purchased, but it is opposed to the new buildings.

The land and auditorium would each be financed with a five-year bond, while the new school and renovations would be paid for with a 25-year bond.

The school district has estimated that the highest tax impacts per $1,000 of assessed property valuation are 32 cents for the land, $2.12 for the school and renovations and 33 cents for the auditorium.

Officials believe that if voters approve the project in March, the new school would be completed by September 2010.

The school district’s proposed 2008-09 operating budget is $24,165,115. If the budget is rejected by voters in March, a default budget of $23,768,163 – the current budget plus certain adjustments – goes into effect.

Other warrants

Almost all of the other warrant articles seek to add new staff positions, increase pay for workers, upgrade technology or make capital improvements, as requested by the School Board. These include:

• $48,851 to give nonunion workers a 3 percent salary increase.

• $64,450 for the salary and benefits of a special education teacher/case manager to support students with disabilities at the high school.

• $64,450 for the salary and benefits of a health/physical education teacher to support the health curriculum and the elementary school.

• $12,382 for a part-time custodian at the elementary school.

• $64,450 for salary and benefits to add a sixth-grade teacher at Memorial School.

• $32,225 to add a business teacher at the high school.

• $64,450 for salary and benefits to add a social studies teacher at the high school.

• $53,991 to continue providing child-benefit services to St. Patrick School.

• $183,333 to fund the third year of the school district’s technology plan.

• $140,000 to replace the parking lot and add additional parking spaces at Memorial School.

• Add $50,000 to the district’s maintenance capital reserve fund

The Budget Committee is not recommending the new social studies teacher, part-time custodian, special education manager and parking lot improvements.

PHS fashion students hit the runway

Salem Editor — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:21:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

Scott Connatser didn’t take his role as co-host of the recent student fashion show at Pelham High School too seriously.

In addition to the jokes he cracked, Connatser’s outfit was laid back as well, with his tuxedo tieless, his shirt untucked and paired with white sneakers.

“It added to the whole effect,” Connatser said after the show. “Not so professional, more relaxed and fun, too.”

The entire night was fun for the 51 students who put on the show, where students modeled formal wear, business attire, casual clothing, sportswear and work uniforms before an audience of classmates, friends and family members.

“Rockin’ the Runway” was presented Thursday, Dec. 6, in the school’s gymnasium. It was a mix of modeling, skits, music and humor that elicited applause, cheers and whistles from the audience.

“Are you guys ready to rock?” Kaytee Pinette, Connatser’s cohost, asked the enthusiastic audience. The show was presented in six segments, some of which opened with a skit.

One act featured sounds from the musical “Grease,” where six young women appeared as the Pink Ladies while four guys in blue jeans and leather jackets performed as the T-Birds.

During the skit that kicked off the sportswear segment, Jen Stanton and Shelly Beaudoin battled it out as two boxers to the theme from “Rocky.”

Popular songs sounded throughout the night as students walked and turned on the runway.

Kyle Sharpe, wearing a black tuxedo, twirled Beaudoin, who had donned a green gown, as the John Michael Montgomery song “I Swear” played.

Clothes for the working world were showcased to the sounds of Loverboy’s “Working for the Weekend,” Bachman- Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business,” and Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money.”

During that segment, one girl was dressed as a police officer while another wore firefighter gear.

In the athletic wear segment, students wore workout clothes, and Red Sox and Patriots jerseys. Some were ready for snowboarding. Sharpe was dressed as a snowmobiler.

The group who put on the show are made up of two classes of students taking fashions this semester. They began working on the show one day a week at the beginning of the school year and committed to it daily in November.

The teens, wearing clothes borrowed from local stores, worked in teams with specific responsibilities: music, program, finance, stage and advertising.

Money raised from the show will be used to pay for a day trip to New York City.

“It was a lot of fun,” said senior Dan Trainor, who, while wearing a suit, got down on one knee and handed a flower to Elizabeth Duffy, who was dressed in an orange gown.

Changing clothes in time during the show was stressful, he said, but going on stage before the audience “was a pretty good rush.”

While working to produce the show, students learn to organize, prioritize, manage their time, work as a team and compromise, said teacher Jane Martin.

“They have to work for the good of the fashion show, not for the good of themselves,” said Martin who was handed a bouquet from her appreciative students before intermission.

During the show’s last segment, “Rockin’ Out,” which featured a variety of colors, several models appeared in light green shirts with the words “My Michelle” printed on them.

It was a tribute to Michelle Lemieux, a student who died as the result of a car accident last March. She was born on St. Patrick’s Day, so green was the appropriate color.

“Some were a little teary eyed when they came back (stage),” Martin said. “They do miss her.”

PHS to install surveillance cameras

Salem Editor — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:37:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

A federal grant, matched by the Pelham Police Department, will enable surveillance cameras to be installed at Pelham High School.

The cameras, which will monitor the school’s perimeter, are capable of taking high-resolution pictures, Police Chief Joseph Roark told Pelham School Board members during their Wednesday, Nov. 14, meeting.

“If you have an incident and review it, you can really zoom in because the quality of the resolution is so high,” Roark said.

The School Board voted to approve the cameras. The police have received a $17,400 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and will match it so there is no cost to the school district. The grant was sought by officer Michael Marshall, the Police Department’s school resource officer.

The surveillance system would belong to the school but when incidents occur, the police would ask administrators to share video with them, Roark said.

He said he hopes the cameras will help combat vandalism, trespassing and other problems. In the past, he said, windows have been damaged by rocks and BB guns. There have also been problems in the school’s parking lot during football games and incidents of bullying.

The cost of the camera system is $22,000.

Roark plans to spend $12,000 to pay a security consultant to create a video survey of the town’s schools. That information could be used by emergency workers, hazardous material teams, police officers, and SWAT teams responding to emergencies and other serious incidents, according to Roark.