Moultonborough Academy senior Matthew Smith won the 2008 Francis Wayland Parker Scholar of the Year award last night.
Judges for the 15th annual Scholar of the Month program recognized Smith, who ranks first in his class, for strong academic performance and community service. He is also an athlete, musician, youth basketball coach and mentor.
"I guess I would just like to thank my family," Smith said as he collected the award.
The honor comes with a $2,000 scholarship, said Peggy McAllister, executive director of the New Hampshire Association of School Principals. She said this year's candidates for top scholar were rich in accomplishment.
The ceremony at the Puritan Backroom conference center also recognized the eight other scholars honored each month since September. They are Jacquelyn Stolos of Pinkerton Academy, Emily Burke of Moultonborough Academy, Alexandra Conway of Manchester Central High School, Kayla Demers of Gorham Middle High School, Rachel Hedge of Manchester Memorial High School, Denise Malm of Moultonborough Academy, Casey Dropkin of Plymouth Regional High School and Eric Gutterson of Manchester West High School.
The awards are sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News, New Hampshire Association of School Principals, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Northern New England, Lifetouch National School Studios Inc. and Verizon, now FairPoint Communications.
"It's an honor to be with such a bright and successful group of students," said Katie McQuaid, director of NewHampshire.com and guest speaker. She encouraged her audience to pursue life-long learning, not only in the classroom, but in careers and relationships.
The awards program originated more than 15 years ago when the association of principals saw the success of an existing Athlete of the Month awards. The association proposed the scholar of the month award, which was embraced by the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Former Manchester mayor and educator Bob Baines said it was named after the Francis Wayland Parker, a New Hampshire man who lived from 1837 to 1902, to celebrate his progressive approach to learning. Parker is known as the father of modern education. He opposed standardization and rote memorization.
Baines said Parker emphasized real connections and real-life experience, something today's scholars have demonstrated.
"They're not just scholars," he said. "They are well-rounded individuals."
Profiles of this year's Scholar of the Month winners:
May 2008 Scholar of the Month
April 2008 Scholar of the Month
February 2008 Scholar of the Month
January 2008 Scholar of the Month
