Local/School Events

Building Bridges Conference: 

Luna Landers

by Luna Landers

On October 17th, I hosted, with help from Francie Reid and the Kearsarge ELO department, an event called Building Bridges: NH. This was a youth conference focused on empathetic communication and discussing polarizing topics. Students from Campbell, Spaulding, Sunapee, and Kearsarge high schools attended to learn about listening, sharing ideas, and the impact young voices can have on politics. We heard from state representatives Sherry Gould and Jonah Wheeler. The former lives in Warner, and shared her experience switching parties from Democrat to Republican. The latter talked about his roadblocks and successes as a 21-year-old legislator. We heard from representatives from Braver Angels, BridgeUSA, and the NH Young Republicans, as well as the NH Secretary of State’s office. This conference was timed to precede the upcoming presidential election, and give students an opportunity to consider when and how they share their opinions.

This event was largely inspired by a trip I took to Northern Ireland in February, 2024. I traveled with a non-profit youth leadership organization called Friends Forever International, and I, along with twelve other New Hampshire students, stayed for eight days in Annalong, Northern Ireland.

The focus of this trip was the Troubles. This period in Northern Ireland’s history was an incredibly contentious and divided time, pitting Catholics and Protestants against each other. The most impactful part of this trip came with our time in Belfast. Walking around the city, you see physical reminders of the divide that still exists in Northern Ireland. One side flies the flag of Ireland, and the other flies the Union Jack. One side of the city flies Palestinian flags, and one flies Israeli. One side bears a memorial to the Irish Republican Army, the other to the Ulster Defence Force. One side’s “heroes” are regarded as the other side’s “villains”. Every minute detail serves to remind outsiders – you do not belong here. Each side of the city tells their own version of the history. they are two very different sides of the same coin. Above all, they are physically divided by a prominent symbol: the “Peace” Wall.

This structure is 50 feet tall, built with concrete and steel, and topped with barbed wire. It stretches miles across the city. It cuts through properties that would have otherwise been in the same community. A five-minute walk between houses is turned into a 20-minute drive by this barrier. Many sections still enforce curfews. The Peace Wall was erected to keep like with like and to keep conflict at bay. While these walls still stand as a reminder of the division, they are covered in graffiti, public art, and messages promoting unity. Visitors from across the globe visit and contribute their call for peace. 

This powerful artifact of history, this reminder of just how real divisions can become, stuck with me. New Hampshire is a purple state. In every grocery store, workplace, or classroom, you are just as likely to find a staunch conservative as you are to find a lifelong liberal. These people sit next to each other, live next to each other, and work next to each other, yet it seems impossible to cross the political bridge and acknowledge the differences that divide our state.

I recently attended a Braver Angels debate. This organization brings red and blue voters together for workshops, debates, and tough conversations. The topic of discussion was: “The upcoming election threatens our democracy.” I intended to just listen. I wanted to prepare for my Building Bridges conference and see how the organizers managed the event. While there, though, I was struck with the desire to share my opinion. I volunteered to give one of the speeches. I spoke in the negative; I did not believe the upcoming election threatened our democracy. I spoke to a roomful of experienced voters and community members, all of whom were older than me by decades, and expressed that I believe that this election is not a threat to our democracy because we, our generation are starting to come together to take our place, and perform our civic duty. 

After my speech, the floor was opened for questions. An audience member asked me what I thought about the apathy of my peers, who may purposefully step back from politics, not believing their voice matters. I said that they were right about that. Young people are growing up in a divided nation, but I truly believe that we are determined to endure. That we can overcome this. That movement, that progress, starts with bridging the divides between red and blue, old and young, and everything else that separates us. 

I believe that the conference was a success, and a small step towards greater impact in our community. With that introduction to politics at the high school level, I hope I can continue to encourage my classmates to have tough conversations, and explore their opinions. Knowing how to hold your opinion and defend it while listening to others is vitally important, and something I seek to improve at every day.

CLIMB Trip: Squam Lake

by Layla Morgan

During the last weekend of September, Project C.L.I.M.B. kicked off the 24/25 season with their first trip, a three day, two night canoe trip to Squam Lake. On this trip, we started off with a two and a half mile canoe across Squam Lake, reaching the campsite around early afternoon. After setting up tents, playing football by the shoreline, and making dinner, we settled in for our first night on the island. The next morning we woke up bright and early to canoe three miles to Mount Rattlesnake. After summiting the mountain the group canoed back to camp to settle in at camp for our final night. The next morning we finished off the trip with a final canoe back to the bus. As someone who has been a member of C.L.I.M.B. For just over a year now, I can easily say this was one of the most beautiful trips I’ve ever been a part of. The weather could not have been more perfect, and it is trips like this that convince me that C.L.I.M.B. is and can be a safe place for many people. The first canoe trip of the year was a great success no doubt, if this trip sounded like fun, another Squam Lake canoe trip will be taking place around the end of this school year! 

CLIMP Trip: Carter Notch

by Sawyer Willet

The Carter Notch trip hosted by Project C.L.I.M.B took place from October 25th, to the 27th. This two night hut trip brought 28 students up 3.8 miles into the white mountains to the Carter Notch Hut, located at an elevation of 3,288 feet. Participants brought their hiking and sleeping gear, as well as being given food that everyone split up to carry up the trail. The hike up was a beautiful, blue bird sky day with perfect hiking temperatures. Once at the hut, everyone went into cabin groups with their friends to set down their stuff. At the main hut, everyone gathers in one big group, with smaller sections playing card games, eating snacks, talking, or playing guitar, while another group worked to make dinner for the night for everyone. At the hut, the surrounding views are amazing. A pond in the valley overlooking cliff-faces, surrounding forests and mountains, and the boulder field sprawled up the side of a mountain. Throughout the 3 days up in the mountains, groups explored this boulder field, called the ramparts, and all the caves, massive rocks, and resilient trees that it consists of. The sun rises from the rocks in the ramparts were a freezing, windy, but rewarding spot for those that dared to go out in the mornings. On the second day, we hiked up Carter Dome as a large group. This hike was a challenge for everyone, going up in elevation by 1,500 feet in only 1.1 miles. Once we got to the views though, it was worth it. On C.L.I.M.B, everyone feels like a big family. This trip especially everyone was excited for, and shared that excitement and experiences with people they may not have interacted with before. After the second night, a dusting of snow had fallen across the mountains, and like the night before had winds up to 50 miles per hour. Many of us watched the sunrise a final time despite the harsh conditions, and then we hiked back down.

Travel

by Josefina Eliessetch

Over the weekend of Columbus Day, I went to Santiago, Chile. It was beautiful to see how spring is slowly coming after months of winter: the hills are turning green and the flowers are blooming. In the city, people are as busy as ever, with students spending their hours of free time after school walking around and having fun, and with the nighttime being even busier. 

Chilean culture is heavily influenced by its different indigenous peoples, such as the Aymara in the North and the Mapuche in the South, as well as its earliest immigrants, from countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and England. All of this comes together to form the incredible Chilean culture, from its typical foods such as empanadas and pastel de choclo, to the week-long celebration of its Independence Day on September 18th. 

I visited Chile for the celebration of my grandfather’s seventieth birthday. My entire family got together that day; it was the first time I’d seen them since last Christmas. I am from both Chile and the United States, a mix of cultures, with a heart that belongs to both countries. 

Through Kearsarge Regional High School, students can experience trips like mine, on which they can fall in love with another country’s culture and history. Trips such as these are some of the most enriching experiences a person can have. Three upcoming opportunities include visits to France, a trip to Puerto Rico, and a combined trip to Spain and Portugal.

In April of 2025, the French classes of KRHS will take a trip to France, starting in Paris and ending in Nice. For ten whole days, the students will be able to experience French culture first-hand. In Paris, they will visit the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. The students will also get a guided tour of Versailles, including the gardens, State Apartments, and the Hall of Mirrors. Aside from Paris, the trip to France will also take the students to the Loire Valley, Montpellier, Provence, Côte d’Azur, Monaco, Éze, and Nice. 

Of course, this trip will be an incredible opportunity for French students. It wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful French teacher, Madame Gillain Twombly. Twombly stated that she was looking forward to “[w]atching their faces light up the first time they lay eyes on the Eiffel Tower and sharing my love of France with them.” This trip will expose students to the beauty of France, and will hopefully inspire them to take a semester or year abroad. Any donations are greatly appreciated, as they could allow those who can’t afford the trip to be able to go.

Also in 2025, there will be the Puerto Rico trip. On this trip, KRHS Spanish students will experience Puerto Rican culture. This trip is being organized by Señora Elizabeth Anderson-Perez, the Spanish teacher; it was suggested by one of her students. Anderson-Perez quickly started to organize it and worked to get it approved, as Puerto Rico holds a special place in her heart, as it is where her grandfather was from.

She is very excited about the trip, especially seeing how her students will practice the Spanish skills she’s taught them. The students will be visiting different sites, such as El Yunque Rainforest and Bioluminescent Bay. They will also receive guided tours through San Juan and have free time to walk around, interacting with the locals. This trip will help show people the beauty of the island of Puerto Rico.

In 2026, Mr. Theo Selby, an English teacher, will be taking any students interested on a trip to Spain and Portugal. On this trip, students will be able to see many historical sites in Spain and Portugal, including Lisbon, Seville, Costa del Sol, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona. Students will have tours guided by locals, including a tour director who will stay with the group for the length of the trip. The goal is to get the students out of New Hampshire and show them the histories, cultures, and cuisines of Portugal and Spain. 

Even though it will be a fast-paced trip, students will have the opportunity to have free time during lunch and for shopping. The trip started to be planned in 2024, which Selby explained, was for the students to find a way to finance it if they wanted to; every student signed up for the trip has a fundraising page dedicated to them so that people who know each individual can help them pay for this trip. Selby grew up with constant summer visits to Greece, where his grandparents lived. Inspired by both his travels and a student tour he did when he was in high school, he wanted to pass on these enriching experiences to his students as a teacher, starting in 2008 with his first trip. 

Selby is particularly looking forward to Spain, as he loves Spanish culture and food, specifically Tapas of any kind, but he also says that Portugal is beautiful. Overall, he is excited to show Kearsarge High School students the beauty of the international.

Being able to travel is something precious that KRHS is proud to offer. Knowing about different cultures can broaden a person’s worldview, and part of that is language. The language students going on the trip will reinforce their skills in talking with native speakers; language shapes and connects us, and these students will find a way to connect with others outside of our corner of the world. To know about the culture, history, and language of another country is to see the world through different eyes.