A psychology major with minors in education and public policy, Katie Langille has demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and community empowerment. Through her role at the Meelia Center for Community Engagement, she mentors high school students in the Access Academy, an after-school program for underserved students, where she also supports her peers in fostering civic identity. Katie’s dedication extends beyond campus, where she has served as a Kevin B. Harrington Ambassador at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and as a Public Policy Fellow at Open Democracy. She is also an Albert H. Gordon Summer Research Fellow, with her research focusing on mental health policy in New Hampshire schools.

As a dedicated member of the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Morgan Summerton has earned the Silver Award and is on track to achieve the Gold Award, the highest honor for a Girl Scout. Her impactful project aims to educate first responders and law enforcement agencies about effective communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers. Recognizing the serious implications of misunderstandings in emergency situations, she is advocating for legislative changes that would allow for a disability notice on driver's licenses, ensuring better interactions and outcomes for those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Corinne Cloutier is a junior transfer student at Plymouth State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in sustainability studies. A year and a half post pandemic, Corinne serves as social action trip coordinator, a student impact ambassador in the Office of Community Impact, an orientation leader for the New Student Experience Office, the vice president of the Inter-Greek Council, a member of the Philanthropy Committee for Kappa Delta Phi Affiliated Sorority, and is credited with being an integral part in implementing many on-campus events Corinne was recently named 2023 Newman Civic Fellow by PSU President Donald Birx. The fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions.

Joshua Chandler is a senior at Plymouth State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. A few of his achievements to date are being a certified EMT, Rapid Sequence Intubation Assistant, Advance EMT Student, Firefighter Level I/II, Airport Firefighter, Firefight Apparatus Driver Operator and Public Telecommunicator Level I/II. In the Fall of 2021 he was deployed overseas and continued to take a full load of university courses for his double major and double minor to continue on the path of becoming a Physicians Assistant.

Anna Kual is a junior at Manchester Central High school and founder of the Student Advocacy Committee, a student run advocacy group whose mission is, “to reach out and uplift all students regardless of race, gender, or physical ability.” Anna also presented the idea to host the very first diversity celebration for Black History month to the Student Advisor Committee. In February 2023, Central High School’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), in partnership with GEAR UP and the Boys & Girls Club, hosted the first Lift Every Voice Summit.

Aubrey Porter is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish through the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Although her academic achievements are impressive it is her involvement in the community that makes her stand out. Aubrey’s commitment began with volunteering with Pre-Orientation Volunteer Experience in Service (PrOVES). She continued becoming involved with a multitude of community service organizations. Aubrey is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, works at the organic garden club, and serves as a secretary of the board of directors at the Waysmeet Center. Furthermore, through her role as the coordinator of the Cornucopia Food Pantry, Aubrey treats every patron with care and openness. In fact, she worked through the pandemic and was critical at adapting the service delivery format to continue to serve patrols.

Vidushi is a senior at Hanover High School and the leader of the Environmental Club and Environmental Justice Committee. She is involved in many other activities. She is kind, caring and loves her community. A short list of her achievements to date are attending the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth in D.C. as well as interning at Dartmouth Cancer Center. She also was invited to present the Hanover High School Climate Action Plan to the New Hampshire Local Solutions Energy Conference and New Hampshire Senate.

Since Jules Good’s first week at the University of NH with the Pre-Orientation Volunteer Experience in Service (PrOVES) program, they have used their love of service to volunteer for meal distribution prep at The Waysmeet Center, participate in several days of service coordinated through UNH, and given their time to various organizations on campus to help them ensure their events are accessible to the disabled community. As a senior at the University, Jules has been working for the Changemaker Collaborative as a changemaker coach and a Social Venture Innovation Challenge consultant. They are an honor student who has received a number of academic awards and earned a number of accomplishments with the UNH Symphony Orchestra.

Since identifying her intended career as nursing with a focus on health care policy, Londonderry High School student Erin Strike has focused her volunteer work in the healthcare field, while actively volunteering in New Hampshire politics. Erin started getting involved in her community during her sophomore year with her first volunteer work for Home, Health & Hospice followed by fundraising for Boston Medical Center. When those opportunities ended, she began a long-term volunteer position as an Assistant Coach to the Londonderry Middle School field hockey team. When the season was over, her involvement with NH politics began by volunteering on the Pete Buttigieg campaign. She helped organize and participate in multiple youth-voter registration information sessions to educate young New Hampshire voters on how they can register to vote and use their vote.

Caroline Dillon is a recent graduate of Spaulding High School in Rochester. Since the fourth grade, Caroline knew that she wanted to grow up to be a certified nurse-midwife or women’s health nurse practitioner. This dream inspired her at age 17 to champion a bill that would ensure no young girls would miss school or risk infection because they couldn’t afford feminine hygiene products. In addition to her remarkable impact on the community, Caroline was actively involved in her high school, graduating as a New Hampshire Scholar in the top ten of her class. she served as the President of the French Honor Society; the secretary of the National Honor Society; and a member of the marching band and chorus. For her all-around good work, she’s received numerous scholarships. In the words of her nominator, quote – “Caroline Dillon’s combination of compassion and courage makes it unlikely that there is anything she can’t accomplish. Her brain has lead to her success in the classroom, but her heart will ensure she will be successful in changing the world.”

RISING STARS AWARDS:

student

of the year

Eligible nominees must live and study in New Hampshire and must be under 40 at the time of nomination.

All student types are eligible, including: High school students, college students, graduate students, vocational school students, trade school students, technical school students, and apprenticeship students.

Nomination form closes June 2, 2025

past winners