Manchester School Committee recognizes coach, counselor and dozens of student artists
Summary
At the March 24 meeting the committee honored West High boys' basketball coach Rich Otis, McLaughlin Middle School counselor Courtney Menswar, and announced 47 students earned 80 awards in the 2025 New Hampshire Scholastic Art Awards.
The Manchester School Committee used part of its March 24 meeting to recognize staff and students for recent awards. The committee and district leaders honored Coach Rich Otis of West High School after the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Association named him Division II co-Coach of the Year. Otis completed his second year as West High head coach and led the team to consecutive playoff appearances, the district said.
The committee also honored Courtney Menswar, seventh-grade counselor at McLaughlin Middle School, who was named School Counselor of the Year by the New Hampshire School Counselor Association. District officials noted Menswar has served the district 14 years, the last four at McLaughlin; she will be recognized at the Excellence in Education Awards in June.
District staff announced student achievements in the 2025 New Hampshire Scholastic Art Awards: 47 students received a total of 80 awards across grades 7–12. Selected works are on display at French Hall, the District Welcome Center and the Courier Museum of Art; the district held a reception for winners and planned a group photo at the meeting.
Why it matters: The recognitions highlight staff and student accomplishments across athletics, counseling and the arts; district leaders said the awards demonstrate student achievement and community support for school programs.
No formal actions or votes accompanied the recognitions.
