May 2021

Sports this year was a wild ride to say the least; students had to overcome a myriad of obstacles, but our teams and individual scorers still managed to have a wonderful year. As Scott Fitzgerald, the Kearsarge Athletic Director, said “While there have been many differences and challenges this year with sports, the student-athletes and coaches have constantly risen to the occasion and done a great job of just trying to enjoy and be grateful for every day we're able to practice and compete.  This year has certainly provided a great deal of perspective on what's truly important, and we look forward to being outside this spring!” 

Although scores this fall weren’t tracked for most sports, our bass fishing team won the 2020 NHIAA Bass Fishing Championship and our field hockey team placed 9th overall in division III. Winter sports scores were tracked, however: our girls basketball team placed 7th in division III, our boys basketball team placed 5th in division III, our girls hockey team (a joint team with Lebanon and Stevens high schools) placed 9th in division I, and our boys hockey team (a joint team with plymouth) placed 9th overall in division III. Our ski teams had many high placements: our girls ski team placed 1st in the championship slalom and 4th in the championship giant slalom, and our boys ski team tied for 2nd in the championship slalom and placed 4th in the championship giant slalom. Our cross country ski teams also placed well, with the girls team placing 5th in classic and overall, and placing 3rd in freestyle, and our boys team placing 3rd in freestyle and overall, and 4th in classic. Swim team placed 14th for the girls division, and 12th for the boys division. Individual scores and placements in the top 20 for each sport are listed below.

Ski Team: 

Boys Division III Championships - Giant Slalom: 

9th Place: James Greason 

13th Place: Ty Bears

18th Place: Kaelin Lunburg

Boys Division III Championships - Slalom:

5th Place: James Greason 

10th Place: Troy Madigan

13th Place: Ty Bears

17th Place: Kaelen Lunberg

Girls Division Championships III - Giant Slalom:

1st Place: Bristol Messer

17th Place: Arden Rossi

18th Place: Devin Phyllides

19th Place: Allyssa Merrill

Girls Division III Championships Slalom:

2nd Place: Bristol Messer

3rd Place: Maya Spiegel 

9th Place: Arden Rossi

17th Place: Devin Phyllides 

20th Place: Allyssa Merrill 

Cross Country:

Boys NHIAA Div. II Championship – Classic Results:

5th Place: Steven Williamson 

12th Place: Evan Pauling 

17th Place: Andrew Blagden

Boys NHIAA Div. II Championship – Freestyle Results:

6th Place: Steven Williamson 

9th Place: Evan Pauling 

20th Place: Andrew Blagden

Girls NHIAA Div. II Championship – Classic Results:

5th Place: Molly Ellison

Girls NHIAA Div. II Championship – Freestyle Results:

6th Place: Molly Ellison 

19th Place: Kylin Frenkiewich 

20th Place: Katelyn Harvey

Swim Team:

Girls 200 Yard Free:

14th Place: Vera Rivard

Girls 200 Yard IM

5th Place: Ava Bidlack

Girls 100 Yard Fly:

8th Place: Maggie Ellison

Girls 500 Yard Free:

9th Place: Vera Rivard

Girls 100 Yard Breast:

14th Place: Ava Bidlack

Boys 100 Yard Breast:

6th Place: Mason Russell

This year, KRHS updated the dress code which has long been the subject of much irritation among the student body. The previous dress code has been regarded as “extremely unfair and sexist.” One student said “it put out the continued narrative that women are objects for men to look at and get distracted by.” Additionally, people felt the old Standard of Dress was hindering them from being comfortable in the school environment. “Getting sent to the office for a dress code infraction during class takes away from class time, which only demonstrates that what a girl wears means more than her education”. Many students, primarily girls, wanted to amend the dress code to fit the student body fairly; as a result, a committee was formed to rewrite it.

The new version of the Standard of Dress opens with the statement that “the philosophy of the Kearsarge Standard of Dress promotes a respectful, safe and creative environment that is applicable and celebrates the diversity of all students uniformly,” directly addressing the former complaints of an unequal application of the standard. 

The new dress code went through many changes, being amended again and again after receiving feedback from the student body. As it currently stands, the new dress code is as follows:

“1. Students must wear standard articles of clothing to include tops and bottoms, or their equivalent one piece option as well as footwear. 

2. Clothing that covers undergarments must be opaque (not able to be seen through), with the exception of waistbands and straps, as they do not have to be concealed. 

a. Clothing must cover regions (nipples, buttocks, genitals) that undergarments are intended to cover. 

b. Undergarments include bras, underwear, and spandex/compression shorts. 

3. Headwear should not obstruct the classroom experience. They should also not cover the face. 

4. Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities. 

a. protective or supportive clothing is required as needed, such as for chemistry/biology (eye or body protection) or PE (athletic attire/shoes). 

5. Clothing should not display anything considered offensive (including violent or otherwise detrimental implications), sexual, or promoting use of alcohol/drugs.”

This change to the dress code gives optimism to our schools' fairness, and begs the question: what comes next?

Because of Covid-19, theaters all around the world have had to close their doors and find creative ways to perform. The theater program at Kearsarge is no different. Over the past school year, Kearsarge Actor’s Guild (KAG) has continued to explore different methods of presenting theater, such as shadow puppetry and film.

In the fall, KAG set their sights on finding a way to perform an original version of Sleepy Hollow, more commonly known as “The Legend of the Headless Horseman.” They presented the show by pre-recording all of the lines, and were able to abide by social distancing while playing with the concept of shadow puppetry and silhouettes. It was delivered in the form of a YouTube link to all the families of the performers. KAG’s spring production is a musical version of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Featuring classic Shakepearian dialogue and modernized music, KAG is documenting the show through film. As You Like It tells the story of Rosalind—a princess banished from her own court to the forest of Arden—who falls in love with the similarly-exiled Orlando. The show focuses on themes of love and the importance of expressing oneself, even in the face of opposition. After production has concluded, tickets will be available to stream the show anytime on June 4, 5, and 6.

Due to the pandemic, Winter Carnival this year was postponed until spring. Although now called Spring Carnival, activities from normal years, such as the talent show, dodgeball, and tug of war are still included despite COVID-19 restrictions. Student Council and Admin worked hard to make sure we still had a carnival this year, and even remote students could be involved through digital submissions for contests and turning their cameras on for dress-up points! 

When prompted about the importance of having this carnival, Estelle Chmura (the junior class president) said "with everything going on these past months, it was really relieving to have something somewhat normal. Coming to school with a full parking lot was amazing, and I think everyone loved seeing one another and reuniting with people they haven't seen for a long time." It’s safe to say the school spirit has been maintained throughout this past year, although, it’s even safer to say we can’t wait to get back to normal.

The 2020-2021 season was a successful one for the Kearsarge Math Team. Although this year was structured a bit differently due to Covid-19 guidelines, the team made the best of it. Around once a week, team members gathered in Mrs. Wirrkala´s room to practice for their upcoming meets, with online and remote students joining on a Google Meet to practice as well. For meets, the team was usually split between remote and in-person students. Those who were at home had to show their hands on the Google Meet to ensure that no cheating was taking place. Math meets this year oftentimes required the team to split into many different Google Meet calls to work together and avoid feedback loops in the classroom. 

The group had many returning members along with some new faces. This year's team had 19 members, with three freshmen, four sophomores, nine juniors, and three seniors. Senior Jake Cardillo says ¨the freshmen (class of 2024) were a great addition to the team!¨ Despite technical difficulties, quarantines, and busy schedules, the math team was able to have five successful meets this year. Furthermore, the team joined a new league of high schools to compete with this season. It was an exciting new challenge for everyone, and they finished the season quite accomplished. Junior Evan Menard says, ¨We consistently placed second and had some of the highest scorers in the state.¨ Evan is currently the top junior in the state for the math league. 

The team stayed positive throughout the challenges of this school year with the help of two wonderful coaches. Sophomore Maggie Ellison said, ¨Mrs. Wirkkala and Mrs. Millard were great coaches and asked students about their schedules so that everyone could make it to practices.¨ Mrs. Millard and Mrs. Wirkkala are both math teachers at the high school who are enthusiastic and helpful coaches for the math team. The coaches and students welcomed the freshman onto the team with open arms and the team was able to work together quickly and efficiently at meets. The KRHS Math team is feeling hopeful for another great season next year!

Despite the difficult year, students at Kearsarge have continued to showcase their spectacular character. Each month of the school year, starting in September, Kearsarge crowns a student of the month who exemplifies excellent work ethic and personality within the school community. This year, our Student of the Months so far have been Nina Spinney in September, Megan Norris in October, Emelia Potter in November, Garrison Hubbard in December, Mathew Ulrich in January, Rayna Tucker in February, Rosalia Merritt in March, Samantha Frazee in April, and most recently, Dylan Palmer in May. 

If we’ve ever met, chances are that you know these few things about me: I love poetry, I hate parking, and I quote The Alchemist an unseemingly large amount. So, as to keep in character, I would like to share one of my personal favorite sayings from Paulo Cuello’s novel: “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and get up eight times.” This message is so much more than just 15 words; it’s a reminder that we are resilient, capable of redirection, and able to find light both within and around us. 

In August of 2020 I experienced a personal reroute when I joined Kearsarge, similar to that of Santiago’s transition as he crossed continents for self-realization. I recall enrolling the Friday before school started, knowing no one, and never having been part of a public school system before. Yet as life has proven to me time and time again, goodness can be found in the most unexpected places. I found that this sudden change in my life was giving me opportunities I had never had before, people to meet and learn from, grow with, and dream alongside.  

Cuello might have called it ‘beginner’s luck,’ but in the heart of a global pandemic, I found light in a small highschool in rural New Hampshire. While there were times it was more difficult to maintain an optimistic outlook, this community truly persevered and fought for unity. We are all on our own personal journeys, but we have been helping each other through each setback, and celebrating each victory hand in hand (just jokes, stay 6 ft apart!!)

I want to say I am so genuinely grateful for the year I had, and how proud I am of every one of you.  I have not once looked back regretfully on that spontaneous Friday’s decision.  We can only go up from here :)

The Kearsarge Regional High School has changed so much in the time of Covid-19. The school’s had to make adjustments by implementing more rules and cutting back on things like clubs and sports. What has changed specifically in the sports and physical wellness programs during Covid? 

This year’s physical wellness classes have been so different from past years. Both Mr. Johnson and Ms. Lincoln were forced to decrease the physical activity in class to almost none. In an interview, Mr. Johnson told the newspaper “the physical wellness side of our class has disappeared.” Mr. Johnson said he felt reduced to a “lecture teacher” and that he’s had to make stressful adjustments like moving from classroom to classroom without a gym to use. “We have to keep adapting,” he says. 

Ms. Lincoln has also faced challenges with her classes having little to no physical activity. “This has been a more creative year,” she said. There's been a lot more technology use in class. She and Mr. Johnson were both dissatisfied with the fact they couldn’t have more, or any physical activity this year. 

Aside from wellness classes, sports have also felt a huge impact from the pandemic. There was no football, wrestling, or indoor track this year because of Covid. The weight room has been closed for almost the entire year. Sports like lacrosse and tennis were forced to start two weeks late. However, on a positive note, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Johnson, and Ms. Lincoln all say that despite this, players' enthusiasm hasn’t been negatively affected in the slightest. “Students are even happier. People are just grateful to be able to play this year,” said Mr. Fitzgerald. 

Mr. Fitzgerald also says that despite the virus, there has actually been an increase of people joining. He has seen about six or seven new students join in the last two years. Luckily, neither game scores or practice time were affected either, and performance has stayed the same. “We’ve still been able to practice the normal five days a week.” He says.

The biggest changes or adjustments that these teachers and coaches have been forced to make was wearing masks. In practice and in games they’ve had to stay masked. Mr. Johnson said he’s also had to have more breaks, and the water breaks take longer because of social distancing. “We tell everybody to stay twenty feet apart at least.” 

The people in charge of sports and physical activity have clearly had to work hard to get through these limitations. With the sports program, people are just happy that they get to participate this year. As for the wellness teachers, they’re excited for things to go back to normal next year and to get students moving again.