Laconia High School teachers have let go of old teaching methods to incorporate individual techniques promoted by the revolutionary 19th-century educator Francis Wayland Parker, wrote Brittney Pond, February's Francis Wayland Parker Scholar of the Month.

"Shedding conventional tools and books, teachers have developed their own techniques and methods," Pond wrote in her winning essay. "They make learning interesting, engaging students."

Pond, a junior who is second in her class, said she was thrilled to be selected.

"Oh I was shocked," she said. "I didn't expect to be a finalist at all and didn't expect to win."

Pond said she is interested in studying either science or English when she goes to college. Her selection as the Scholar of the Month may have inspired her to pursue writing or teaching, she said.

"Seeing that I can write something and be acknowledged like this is really encouraging," Pond said.

The Francis Wayland Parker Scholar program is sponsored by the New Hampshire Association of School Principals, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Union Leader, Lifetouch Studios and the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Northern New England.

Other nominees for February were:

Amy Sharpe, Hopkinton High School; Jacob Parzych, Campbell High School; Gergana Alteva, Lebanon High School; Sabrina Tedeschi, Plymouth Regional High School; Sara Topic, Manchester Central High School; Keegan Caraway, Mascoma Valley Regional High School; Christian Leefmans, Exeter High School and Noah Cote, Manchester High School West.

tbuckland@unionleader.com