News Summary
Several residents of the Upper Valley celebrated their academic achievements this spring, including graduates from the University of Rhode Island and significant scholarships awarded to aspiring entrepreneurs. However, communities are facing challenges with rising community power rates, impacting energy accessibility. The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire is struggling to stabilize energy costs while towns like Sunapee and Canaan await potential program implementations in the coming years.
Upper Valley Residents Achieve Academic Recognition Amid Community Power Challenges
Upper Valley, VT – Several residents of the Upper Valley celebrated significant academic achievements this spring, with multiple graduates from the University of Rhode Island and noteworthy scholarships awarded to aspiring entrepreneurs. Despite these successes, local towns face challenges associated with community power rates, impacting energy accessibility for residents.
University of Rhode Island Graduates
This spring, the University of Rhode Island in Kingston celebrated its commencement ceremony, where several Upper Valley residents received their bachelor’s degrees. Among the graduates, Sarah Avampato of Sunapee earned her degree in English and secondary education. Ava Dodson from Barnard graduated cum laude with a degree in business administration and management. Talia Fritzhand from Woodstock achieved summa cum laude honors with her degree in kinesiology, while Sophia Postans from Windsor graduated with a degree in biology.
Scholarship Awarded to Aspiring Business Owner
West Windsor resident Margaret “Maggie” Mello has been recognized with a substantial $20,000 scholarship from US Foods, one of only 18 students chosen nationally. Mello is currently studying business management with a concentration in hospitality and event management at Providence College in Providence, RI. She intends to launch her own business that focuses on providing thoughtful service, quality food, and memorable experiences for her future clients.
Recognition at Western New England University
Two Upper Valley residents, John Bieszczad of Grantham and Ethan Jacobson-Goodhue of Hartland, have also been recognized for their academic performance at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. Bieszczad made the president’s list for the spring 2025 semester, while Jacobson-Goodhue earned a spot on the dean’s list for the same term.
Community College Leadership and Grants
In educational leadership, Candace Lewis has been promoted to the position of dean of academic affairs at the Community College of Vermont (CCV). Lewis, who has been a part of CCV since 2007, succeeds Debby Stewart, who retired after over three decades of service. In addition to this leadership change, CCV has received a $50,000 grant as part of the Metallica Scholars Initiative aimed at supporting students in cybersecurity and information technology programs. This funding comes on the heels of a larger $75,000 grant received last year for career and technical education programs.
These grants will enable CCV to provide scholarships for a range of programs, including cloud computing, IT support, cybersecurity, networking, data analytics, AI, and web development, to be offered in the upcoming fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
Challenges Facing Community Power Coalition
While residents celebrate educational successes, communities are grappling with energy challenges. The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) is currently facing difficulties as community power rates exceed those of private utility rates. This situation is impacting towns like Sunapee and Canaan, which approved community power plans during their annual town meetings in March. These plans were intended to stabilize energy costs and provide renewable energy options.
The rise in CPCNH’s rates was largely due to a failed agreement with a power generator and increasing energy prices stemming from a harsh winter and fluctuations in the natural gas market. As Canaan awaits approval from the state Public Utilities Commission, the community power program is expected to launch in 2026. Meanwhile, Sunapee is working toward establishing its community power program, anticipating lower rates and holding monthly meetings through its Energy Aggregation Committee.
Residents look forward to potential adjustments in rates, which are expected to be reviewed in January. However, the outcomes remain uncertain, leaving community members anxiously awaiting news on energy pricing and stability.
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Additional Resources
- Post-Secondary Graduations – Upper Valley
- Wikipedia: Graduation
- High Community Power Rates – Upper Valley
- Google Search: Community Power Rates
- Bedbug Fumigation and Illness – Dartmouth
- Google Scholar: Bedbug Fumigation
- About Valley News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: News
- Upper Valley Boys Soccer Teams
- Google News: Upper Valley Soccer
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