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demic excellence or progress in closing academic achievement gaps by making great improve- ments toward educational goals.
It was the now former princi- pal, Stacy Giles, who submitted the Blue Ribbon School appli- cation to the U.S. Department of Education last year, and the students and staff were excited to see Giles join them in their celebration on January 30th.
Giles was not alone in cheer- ing for them, though. Also in attendance were the new Pasquaney School District SAU 108 board members, Chair Jenn Larochelle (Hebron), Alli- son Bagley (Groton), and Mara Capsalis (Bridgewater). Unfor- tunately, the SAU 108 Super- intendent Russell Holden was unable to attend, nor was Paul Hoiiris, the Newfound Area School District Superintendent, who oversaw B-HVS until the end of the 2025 school year. Both sent their heartfelt con- gratulations to the students and staff, however.
Orlando said it is the lead-
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March 2026
ership of both the past and present school district admin- istrations that laid the ground- work for the achievements for which the school has now been recognized, and she thanked them all.
At the center of the pres- tigious recognition, however, Orlando declared, were the stu- dents and teachers themselves. Besides the children always say- ing “yes” to challenges and their willingness to grow through feedback from their teachers, Orlando said it is also about their understanding that “learn- ing is not about being perfect- it is about effort, persistence, and progress.”
In her first year as princi- pal of the school, she has been proud to see that the children of B-HVS are active participants in their own education.
“They know their voices mat- ter, their ideas matter, and their hard work matters,” she said. “This Blue Ribbon recognizes not just high achievement, but the commitment our students show to doing their best every day.”
Moving on to praise the
Kindergarten students at Bridgewater-Hebron Village School were excited to receive special bookmarks recognizing the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Award the school recently received.
learning, their examination of evidence of impact, and their al- ways-embracing of any changes that benefit their students.
Leadership, she explained to the K-5 students before her, is something they, too, can demon- strate each day. Whether that be helping a friend or classmate when they’re struggling with an assignment or other problems, or their kind and helpful actions that make them leaders as well.
Flowers were presented to Stacy Giles for her many years of leadership that brought B-HVS to the Blue Ribbon standards. There were also Blue Ribbon bookmarks handed out to each student, and finally, both the school staff and SAU board members were called up on stage to receive special B-HVS Blue Ribbon tee shirts and pens. They all received a huge round of cheers and applause from the children they serve throughout the year.
Orlando concluded the cele- bration by telling the assembly, “Thank you for being part of this achievement. This honor belongs to you all.”
teaching staff, Orlando said they, too, say “Yes” to the hard- est parts of their profession- careful planning, collaboration, and the constant adjustments that are necessary when work- ing with a diverse body of stu- dents.
“They analyze data not as numbers but as stories about
students. They use that infor- mation to refine instruction, strengthen writing, and ensure that learning is deep, meaning- fu,l and accessible,” she said.
Orlando then added that the teachers themselves are also true models of what it is to be a learner. That comes through their ongoing professional