Pelham

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Pelham
Elementary Pelham
Memorial Pelham
High School

Champions For Children

NHSAA Champions For Children Award

The Champions for Children award program was established by New Hampshire School Administrators Association as a meaningful way to recognize New Hampshire citizens who have given distinguished and voluntary public service to benefit children. Winners must embody, through action, the guiding principles to champion efforts designed to successfully provide for the needs of all children. Their recognition reflects unique and special service above and beyond their normal duties.

2024 South Central Region Winner, Jennifer Maslanek

Submitted by Sarah Marandos:

I am writing to nominate Jen Maslanek as Pelham’s Champion for Children for NHSAA, specifically aimed at recognizing outstanding volunteers who have made significant contributions to the welfare and betterment of children. Jen embodies the spirit and dedication that this award seeks to honor, through her decade of committed service to Pelham athletics.

Jen is the secretary of the Pelham High School Boosters, and works all of the basketball games for concessions or admissions. She is the point person for the Dan Gionet Wrestling Tournament each year, where she organizes both concessions and admissions for well over 500 guests and athletes. Jen is easy to work with, and is always there to go the extra mile for our Pythons. She juggles all of this while raising three very mature and respected young men.

In addition, Jennifer Maslanek has been supporting our middle school Athletics Booster programs for many years. She has filled the role of President at Pelham Memorial for the last two years. Her creativity and punctuality make her one of the most reliable people on our team. Jen has been a consistent help from organizing food pickups from local vendors, to donating many hours of her time fundraising for items for our athletic programs, school, and the community.

Jen Maslanek stands out as a true champion for children, whose tireless efforts and selfless dedication have made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of many. It is for these reasons that I believe she is an exemplary candidate for the Champion for Children award. Jen's commitment to making a difference in the lives of children not only aligns with the values of the Champion for Children award but also serves as an inspiration to us all.

2023 Pelham School District Champion for Children Winner, Madeline Dreusicke

Submitted by Dawn Mead:

"She is the President of the VFW Auxiliary Post 10722 in Pelham, NH. She is always willing to step in and volunteer, support, and advocate for Pelham students’ education and community involvement. Whether it be a drop in visit to provide a new American flag outside of a school or a donation to the robotics team to make sure they are able to meet the entry fees, she is always a champion for our kids.

Even though her grandsons have graduated from Pelham High School, she is still at volleyball games, concerts, in the crowd on a Friday night at football games, and so many other events in the schools. She is constantly making sure that our students are aware of scholarship opportunities and is the proud organizer and promoter of any event to celebrate our teachers.

Five years ago,The Travelling Vietnam Wall Memorial came to Pelham. Madeline was one of the proud organizers. She did not hesitate to include all three schools in the event. There was a parade, a ceremony on the town green, and the actual viewing of the memorial. She worked side by side with building administrators and town leaders to include all students in the ceremony. Grades K-12 lined the streets to cheer on the parade. They walked to the town green to listen to patriotic songs played by our very own high school band, and listened to local veterans tell stories of their own experience in the war. She continues to advocate for education that supports and fosters a sense of local, national, and global citizenship. She is a rare individual that loves each and every one of kids as if they were own."

2022 South Central Region Winner, Robert Sherman

Bob Sherman (pictured far right) is a retired social studies teacher who lives the civics lessons he taught for so many years. He taught in Nashua and served as union president. He is currently a member of the Pelham Budget Committee advocating for careful use of tax dollars for the schools.. A lifelong educator and advocate, his presence in our town has made the lives of our children better.

2021 South Central Region Winner, Brenda Hobbs

Brenda Hobbs was an instructional assistant in Pelham from 1978 to 2021. She had a deep-rooted connection to the culture of grace and excellence in Pelham and knew generations of families and staff. Brenda led the Pelham Education Support Professionals Association (PESPA) for years.

2018 South Central Region and Statewide Winner, Ray Wilkins Jr.

The lifelong Pelham resident has built a career in the town's schools. He helps keep the sidewalks clear from snow and the facilities in top condition. For years, he coached middle school basketball in the winter and baseball when spring rolled around. He's been a staple in welcoming back four decades worth of students.

His nomination by the Pelham School District is a testimony not only to his dedication to the district, its staff and students, but to his ever-present disposition of living a joyful life. He's a rock in the foundation of our district's culture, the quiet yet profound, consistent and caring example to all of us to point to and say, grow up and be like him — Ray Wilkins, our champion of children.

2014 South Central Region Winner, Deb Ryan

Superintendent of Schools Amanda Lecaroz and Curriculum Director Natasha Kolehmainen announced that Ryan is this year’s recipient of the N.H. Association of School Administrators’ “2014 Champions for Children Award.” ‘We have the power to create the change we want, if we are willing to work for it,’ ” said Kolehmainen, quoting Ryan from three years ago. “Over the next three years Deb Ryan worked for change and rallied a community together around a vision for the future that included all of the children of Pelham. “Debbie is a familiar face at every community event. As a spelling-bee judge, a cakewalk hostess, a tree decorator, a chaperone a teammate or friend. She can even be found playing kickball with kindergarten students on a winter day,” added Kolehmainen. “Her dedication to the children of Pelham is without bounds. Deb embodies the phrase, ‘champion of children.’ ”

2009 South Central Region Winner, Eleanor Burton

Eleanor Burton believed in the Pelham community. As a resident of Pelham for over sixty years, Eleanor has never been known to slow down. The list of Eleanor's achievements is lengthy, a teacher at the former E.G. Sherburne Elementary School, a fifty-five year commitment to the Girl Scout organization and committees, seven years service to the Pelham School Board as well as numerous boards and committees for the Town of Pelham. The community is grateful for all of the days and hours Eleanor has given selflessly to the School District and Town of Pelham.