HILL — In the fall of 2023, students at the Jennie D. Blake School held a book release party for their historical fiction project, Jennie’s Story, based on the life of Jennie Lind Dickerson Blake, the teacher for whom the school was named. This year, on June 11, students at the school — including three who were part of the book project last year — presented a play based on that story.
Dr. Brian Connelly, the school’s principal and superintendent, was the catalyst for both the book and the play, although he attributed the original idea to members of the Hill Historical Society, who have been active in making sure the students are grounded in the town’s history. The historical society helped to create “OUR” Story panels in the cafeteria, depicting Hill’s history from the 17th century to modern times.
Teachers Megan Kwapiszeski and Alicia Schaefer, along with Artist-in-Residence Kimberly Valpey, assisted the students in writing and illustrating the book, which covered the period from Jennie’s birth on July 16, 1878, to the opening of the Jennie D. Blake School on Sept. 4, 1941, and Jennie’s retirement in 1945.
When Melanie Perkins applied for a job as art teacher a year ago, she found that the school had already filled the position. Connelly, however, noticed that her resume included theater experience, and he suggested doing a play based on Jennie’s Story.
“I love New Hampshire history,” Perkins said, “and it’s such a unique story about her that I was like, yes, definitely.”
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