CASL: These students will be great leaders one day

By Insider Staff - Apr 11, 2017 | 0 comments

Sara-Ann Bailinson, Hopkinton High SchoolHometown: ContoocookFavorite subject: Psychology.What I see myself doing down the road: Actor or psychotherapist.Favorite pastimes: Reading screenplays and dying my hair silver.

Samuel Berube, Bow High SchoolHometown: BowFavorite subject: ChemistryFavorite vacation destination: WashingtonFavorite read: “Don't Give Up, Don't Give In” by Louis Zamperini.

Joeanna Emerson, Pittsfield Middle High SchoolHometown: PittsfieldFavorite subject: MathWhat I see myself doing down the road: TeacherFavorite childhood toy: Hot Wheels

Jeffrey Emmons, Concord High SchoolHometown: ConcordFavorite read: “The Book Thief” by Markus ZusakWhat I see myself doing down the road: EconomistFavorite place: Boston

Julianna Fusco, Concord High SchoolHometown: DeerfieldFavorite subject: ScienceWhat I see myself doing down the road: Brain surgeonFavorite pursuit: Dressage

Avery Gamache, Pembroke AcademyHometown: PembrokeFavorite subject: EnglishWhat I see myself doing down the road: BusinessFavorite hobby: Photography

Kinley Gaudette, Merrimack Valley High SchoolHometown: SalisburyFavorite subject: ScienceWhat I see myself doing down the road: CardiologistFavorite role model: Grandfather

Garima Giri, Merrimack Valley High SchoolHometown: PenacookFavorite subject: BiologyWhat I see myself doing down the road: SurgeonFavorite volunteer activity: Best Buddies

Elisabeth Hunter, Bow High SchoolHometown: BowFavorite read: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper LeeI’m passionate about: EducationFavorite pastime: Crochet

Jillian LaBrake, Concord High SchoolHometown: ConcordFavorite vacation destination: FranceI’m passionate about: My animals (two dogs, two horses, a cat, gerbil and a bird)Favorite pastime: Performing on stage with Concord Dance Academy

Cait McAllister, Concord High SchoolHometown: ConcordFavorite subject: EnglishFavorite thing to do: Check out events in Downtown ConcordFavorite pastimes: Soccer, girl scouts and violin

Abbigail Mulleavey, Bishop Brady High SchoolHometown: LoudonFavorite subject: HistoryWhat I see myself doing down the road: WriterFavorite pastimes: Piano and dance

Zachary Painchaud, Concord High SchoolHometown: ConcordFavorite summer job: Candy Shop in Old Orchard BeachWhat I see myself doing down the road: BusinessFavorite place: Europe

The Capital Area Student Leadership program encourages students to become active, effective participants and leaders in their schools and community.

This year’s group of 25 was announced in January, and last month the CASL students took part in a communications day, where they each answered a few questions from program organizers.

During the course of this year’s program, students enjoyed quality interaction with the likes of Gov. Chris Sununu, Executive Councilor Chris Pappas, Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin, radio personality Arnie Arnesen, WMUR news anchor and political reporter Adam Sexton, Capital Center for the Arts Executive Director Nikki Clark and Red River Theatres Executive Director Angie Lane, along with other community leaders. Rock On Foundation Founder and Executive Director Luke Bonner was the guest speaker at graduation day on March 22.

The goals of CASL are:

To recruit sophomores from area high schools (Bishop Brady, Bow, Concord Christian, Concord, Derryfield School, Hopkinton, John Stark, Merrimack Valley, Parker Academy, Pembroke Academy and Pittsfield) who show leadership potential and young adults likely to assume greater community responsibilities. The CASL program has graduated more than 500 students over the last two decades.

To inspire students to develop, refine and utilize their leadership skills in order to contribute to the greater Concord community.

To educate students about local issues through the perspective of community leaders.

To demonstrate problem-solving methods when dealing with opportunities and challenges within the greater Concord community.

To create a dialogue and develop a network among the students and local leaders.

To encourage students to recognize and develop leadership styles, skills and roles.

For more info about the Capital Area Student Leadership program, visit concordnhchamber.com.