2016 Service Award winner; LORNA LETOURNEAU!
 

Born in the Monadnock region, she went to Keene State and set her life on the path of education.  Right from the start, she saw a need and went about filling.  Rindge needed a kindergarten and she rolled up her sleeves and started one; the first in the town. 

But more needed to be done so she moved into Rindge Memorial School and spent 22 years there as a teacher -  an outstanding teacher, loved and admired by all who worked with her and were taught by her.

Most of us would consider 22 years teaching elementary kids a career and a half! But she had grown up in a Christian family and had always had the desire to someday go on a mission.  So, in order to become better prepared for a mission should one come her way, she spent two years in Oklahoma at a Bible college.

She returned to New England and started working as a substitute teacher in the area high schools.  What caught her attention in these schools, were the kids who sat in the back, the kids who did not fit in, who had trouble with class work, socializing …kids who were on the path of dropping out or being kicked out.

She was inspired to try and do something to help these children and their families.  Her inspiration and thus her mission was to start an alternative school: A school to focus solely on the needs of such children by providing them with close academic and social attention, and a sense of order and respect and love. 

She did up a plan and with the help of a friend, took it to the NH Dept. of Education and in 1990, it was approved.  A new school was born!

From one small room and one teacher, this school now has a fine faculty and some 50 students.  It is a fully accredited non-profit HS offering small classes, lots of individual attention, and a requirement that each student have a job and work 20 hrs a week.  Daily, the Principal talks to the students about love, forgiveness, responsibility and friendship and how God is always with them. 

Today, over 700 students have attended this school with a graduation rate of 98%.  These once troubled students go on to college, and trade schools become teachers, nurses, business people, builders, electricians, well as soldiers in all branches of our military.  They do not drop out, they learn academics, they learn a work ethic and they learn to succeed. 

Many students return to visit, to tell the Principal how they are doing or what may be challenging them in their lives.  And they never leave the Principal’s office without a word of encouragement and a prayer.

What is the amazing school? It is our own Victory High School and the founder is still working as the Principal. Our Service Award winner; LORNA LETOURNEAU!

Clay Hollister   11/4/2016