Community Corner

5 New Hampshire Students Making The Granite State Proud

Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to celebrate local star students making a big impact in their communities.

NEW HAMPSHIRE — New Hampshire is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

Check out five exceptional Granite State students making a big impact. And if you know a student who deserves a shoutout, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured as a Star Student on Patch!


Anya Merriman-Mix: As a senior in high school and an Ambassador Girl Scout with Amherst Troop 11607, Anya earned the prestigious Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts. A dedicated member since grade school, she devoted countless hours to volunteer work before receiving this recognition. For her award-winning project, Anya tackled the issue of fast fashion’s environmental impact. She invested over 94 hours and $500 into her initiative, leading a two-week upcycling and sustainable fashion class at her high school and hosting a two-hour workshop for young girls. She also created a website compiling resources and action items to encourage sustainable fashion choices.


Eleanor Kirkland: A former Eleanor Exeter High School student, earned recognition as one of 161 candidates for the 2024 United States Presidential Scholars Program—one of the highest honors awarded to high school students in the country. She has also received the Rural and Small Town Recognition Award and the Yale Book Award for her academic achievements. During her time at Exeter, Eleanor was deeply involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. She held an officer position in the Music Honor Society and was a member of the Math Honor Society, English Honor Society, Latin Honor Society and National Honor Society.


Alex Domer: Alex, an 18-year-old from nearby Derry, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting. For his Eagle Scout project, Alex and one of his fellow members of Derry Boy Scout Troop 405 led trail upgrades and improvements near First Parish Church. Their work created a 1/8-mile pathway loop as part of a new pocket park area and contributed to the troop’s long tradition of community service, environmental stewardship, and town beautification. Alex has been involved in Scouting since the age of six, and as a result, he says he’s developed strong leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that will serve him well in the future.


Olivia Rolanti: Olivia, a senior at Milford High School, was honored as Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley for her dedication to community service and youth development. Her journey with the club began at a young age when she joined the Amato Center Theater, performing in numerous junior musicals. Over the years, she took on a leadership role as a Youth Development Professional, mentoring and guiding younger members through their own experiences.


Dylan Wu: Dylan, a Windham High School senior, is an accomplished student-athlete whose dedication and achievements set him apart as a standout leader. Recently named a semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program, Dylan’s academic excellence places him among the top high school scholars in the nation. This prestigious recognition highlights his hard work, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to pursuing academic success. In addition to his scholarly accomplishments, Dylan excels on the tennis court as a key Windham High School team player. In May 2024, he competed in the Division II semifinals, showcasing his athletic talent and determination.


These exceptional students are just a glimpse of the incredible talent in New Hampshire. The future is certainly looking bright! If you know a Star Student impacting your community, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!


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