NASHUA – The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua celebrated the academic accomplishments of club members and the teachers who inspire them at the 2019 Great Futures Dinner, a highlight of National Boys & Girls Club week.

To honor teachers who have made a significant impact on their lives, all club members were encouraged to complete a teacher nomination form and write about the life lessons that they have learned from their teachers, what is unique about their favorite teacher as well as the awesome activities and qualities that make this teacher special. A small committee then evaluated the forms and selected one teacher from each grade to receive Teacher Excellence Awards.

The winners of the Teachers Excellence Award included (in order from kindergarten through 12th grade):

• Cheryl Carter of Ledge Street Elementary School.

• Janice Decarteret of Mount Pleasant Elementary School.

• Michelle Oro of Ledge Street Elementary School.

• Margaret Prolman of Ledge Street Elementary School.

• Deborah Murray of Fairgrounds Elementary School.

• Beth Ashton of Gate City Charter School.

• Mary Pispitsos of Fairgrounds Middle School.

• Marlene Moss of Pennichuck Middle School.

• Patty Viveiros of Fairgrounds Middle School.

• Deborah White of Nashua High School South.

• Mark Bell of Nashua High School South.

• Neeta Masand of Nashua High School North.

• Patrick Coad of Nashua High School.

The Great Futures Dinner also recognized those members who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to academic success by becoming high achievers in education and technology programs. The Power Hour awards were presented by Nashua High School South teacher and master of ceremonies Lisa Yates.

Yates has been teaching at Nashua High School South for 11 years. She currently teaches human relations, which focuses on problem solving, career readiness and communication and building relationships with peers. In 2016, she was awarded the Nashua No Bell, an award that is given each year to one outstanding teacher.

“Teachers take on a lot more responsibility than teaching classes,” Yates said. “Each day when we walk into school, we’re guidance counselors, coaches, chaperones and a shoulder to cry on. It is teachers that have the most significant impact on a child’s learning. Congratulations to every one being recognized tonight. My deepest respect for the work you do and the lives you change.”

The Great Futures Dinner is an extension of the club’s academic success initiative, which helps members work toward future success through tutoring, homework help, STEM programming, access to technology and college/career readiness programs.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua annually serves more than 3,000 boys and girls ages 5 to 18 with a variety of programs and activities to build attitudes, skills, values and behaviors that enable youth to succeed in adulthood. 

For additional information, visit www.bgcn.com or call 603-883-0523.