MANCHESTER, NH – The Founders Academy on April 13 celebrated the life of General John Stark with a school-wide assembly that included special guests Governor Ayotte, Manchester Mayor Ruais, NH Education Commissioner Catilin Davis, and members of The Founders Academy Board of Trustees. General John Stark is New Hampshire’s best-known Revolutionary War soldier and coined the state’s motto, “Live free or die: death is not the worst of evils.”
Dean of School, Cassie Hayes, welcomed everyone to the celebration. “This day is important to our school not only because it celebrates our history but because Founders students used their knowledge to amend the law so all students could celebrate John Stark. Our students did a wonderful job acknowledging John Stark and his legacy,” Hayes said after the assembly.
Mayor Ruais spoke to the assembled students, saying, “I love the core focus that The Founders Academy has on character.” Ruais spoke about his experience in the Army National Guard and how General John Stark was one of his own heroes. “One of the things that I’ve learned, whether it’s being Mayor or being a Captain in the Army National Guard, is that character is destiny. How you put yourself out there, your leadership, your honesty, your integrity, that will define who you are.”
Governor Ayotte then took the stage and complimented the Founders Academy students, who in 2017, lobbied to have John Stark Day changed so that it was celebrated during the school year instead of during April vacation. On April 13, 2017, then-Governor Chris Sununu signed The Founders Academy’s student-led bill HB91 into law at the school. Since that day, the leadership skills of the students at The Founders Academy have made John Stark Day a state holiday in New Hampshire, recognized on the second Monday in April.
Governor Ayotte said, “What I want you to take away is that you can make a difference, that you can lead in so many different ways. You’re learning how to do it here at The Founders Academy.” Ayotte continued telling the 425 students assembled, “I would never have known when I was your age that I could be governor.” She continued telling the students and assembled guests, “We need your leadership; we need you to get involved. The most rewarding thing in life is finding that sense of purpose, of what matters to you, helping other people, and being able to give back.” Ayotte concluded, telling students, “You are our leaders now, and you are our leaders in the future.”
The Founders Academy Public Charter School’s celebration of General John Stark began on Friday, April 10th, with a city-wide scavenger hunt. Participants in the scavenger hunt visited historical locations around the city of Manchester.
The Founders Academy is a public charter school for students in grades 5 through 12 that is free and open to all New Hampshire students. The Academy develops leaders who understand and apply the lessons of the past, demonstrate exceptional character and lead by example. The Academy recognizes the importance of balance in the development of the whole person, and respects each student’s journey.
Principled leadership is fostered by means of a curriculum of classical studies that includes analyzing the lives of great men and women of history, mining the rich classical ideals of the Western tradition, and tracing the evolution of the precious and costly idea of liberty.
The Founders Academy is currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. To learn more about The Founders Academy or to apply for admission, visitwww.thefoundersacademy.org.