New Hampshire Scholars oversees more than 400 business volunteers who help public high schools through job shadowing, internships and mentoring.

These men and women are a powerful force in the lives of young people; they are often the difference in helping students decide how to choose a career path.

New Hampshire Scholars and the New Hampshire College & University Council recognized these businesses and schools for successfully developing effective partnerships for the betterment of student progress at a Breakfast of Champions.

To encourage new businesses and schools to get involved, NHCUC invited business leaders to a forum on best practices for mentoring students and effective ways to develop successful school/business partnerships.

The panel discussion included Virginia Barry, commissioner of the state Department of Education; Tom Raffio, president of Northeast Delta Dental; Fred Kocher, coordinator of the Coalition for Business & Education; and Maureen Curtiss, director of Timken Aerospace. The moderator was Scott Spradling.

Champion Awards were presented to Winnisquam Regional High School, ConVal Regional High School, Dyn Inc., Golden View Healthcare Center, Gateways Community Services, Belknap Economic Development Council, McGrath Associates, Cummings Financial and Northeast Delta Dental.