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April 2023 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 17 Community
The Circle Program - Changing Lives For Over Thirty Years!
By Laura Brusseau
In 1993, many young girls from out of state came to New- found Lake to enjoy the fresh air, form new friendships, learn new skills and lessons, and form mem- ories that would last a lifetime!
A group of passionate Onaway summer camp trustee members wanted to offer this op- portunity to girls that lived in the area that may not have had the financial means to pay for such an experience-thus the idea for the Circle Program was born!
Today, thirty years later, this idea has now transformed not only into a camp experience but a mentor program that has changed the paths of many young teens and their mentors!
The Circle Program serves girls and teens ages 9-18! This ex- perience includes meeting with a mentor monthly and up to three weeks of summer camp, depend- ing on age. The camp is located on the beautiful Spectacle Pond in Groton, NH.
The relationship with the
mentors builds over time. Men- tors meet monthly with their Cir- cle Participant to hang out, talk, experience events such as art mu- seums, ice skating, go bowling, volunteer together, go hiking, do arts and crafts, go swimming, and the list goes on and on! Not only does it provide this fantastic op- portunity to form a special bond with an adult, but it also provides opportunities to experience new skills and visit new places that they may not have had the ability to do on their own.
Today the program has over
sixty girls from twenty-eight towns! The towns served stretch from Concord to Waterville Val- ley! Unfortunately, over the Covid pandemic, numbers dropped a bit, and the program is ready to build it back up! If you know of a socially or financially disadvan- taged girl, please call the Circle Office to find out how you can make a referral to this life-chang- ing program. Most referrals come from the local school dis- trict teachers and guidance coun- selors. The program is free to participants and funded through
generous community donations, fundraisers, and grants!
According to Mentoring.Org:
Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school.
Young adults who face an op- portunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be en- rolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.
Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 8!% more likely to participate in sports or extracurricular activities than those who do not have a mentor
Not only does the program transform the lives of the youth, but it can also transform the mentors as well!
The Circle Program is cur- rently looking for 25-30 new mentors! The commitment would be a two-year term start- ing in late August. Mentors un- dergo a background check and partake in mental health and trauma-informed training.
Another way to support the program is to participate in one
of its upcoming fundraisers! During Bike Week in June, they will benefit from a Motorcy- cle Poker Run ride! The second week of July, they are working with local businesses in the area
to do a Circle Program Week of Giving Back, where participating businesses offer a Circle program special at their business, with a percentage of the proceeds going toward the program! The biggest event of their year is the 30th-anniversary gala on Thurs- day evening, August 31st, at the Bull Meadow Barn in Concord. More information about these wonderful ways to help will be coming out soon!
The program thrives because of the generous hearts of the local community, the board that oversees the program, and the dedicated staff.
For more information, to refer to an individual, to become a mentor, or to learn more, visit www.circleprogram.org. Find them on facebook-Circle Pro- gram NH. You can also reach them at 603.536.4244.
Elle MacDonald is a Sopho- more at NRHS and is a 3-sport athlete; She started skiing at age three on the Barnyard trail at Ragged Mountain and, from there, never looked back. She raced for both Sant Bani School and Newfound Memorial Middle School before joining the Alpine team at NRHS. She has always enjoyed ski racing, often taking runs on the NASTAR course, or participating in the You Go Girl races at Attitash. During the winter of ’21-’22, Elle joined the U16 Competition Team at Rag- ged Mountain.
“Elle has been a tremendous addition to the Alpine Team at Newfound and consistently placed first or second in all our races this season, “said Coach Karkheck “she’s a real competi- tor and a great teammate- I look forward to having her back on the team next season.” Elle placed in the Top 10 at the D3 State Meet, was invited to participate in the Meet of Champions held at Mit- tersill/Cannon Mountain, and
placed 23rd overall in the Giant Slalom. In addition to skiing, Elle played Field Hockey in the fall as a forward and helped her team make it to the Final Four game in 2021. She was recently named to First Team All-State and awarded Teammate of the Year by her coaches, Kammi Reynolds and Sydney Warman. “Elle’s speed and agility make her quite a force to contend with in D3 Field Hockey,” said coach Williams, “She also participated in Play for a Purpose which over $3000 was raised for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Cancer Center”. Elle also participates in Track & Field.” During Elle’s freshman year, she helped New- found win its first team Division 3 state championship. She com- peted in the 100 and 200, and anchored the 4x100 state cham- pionship relay that also broke the school record.”. She was excited to be part of the first girl’s State Championship T&F Team at Newfound!
Elle not only works hard on
the field and slopes but in the classroom as well. She has re- ceived High Honors throughout her years at Newfound. During the summer, Elle enjoys her job at West Shore Marine and plays summer field hockey. She is just beginning to explore college and
post-graduation opportunities and would like to continue play- ing sports at the collegiate level. All this and more make Elle MacDonald our Shining Star of the month!
April’s Shining Star - Elle MacDonald
Sports