Awards

Skip Bean Democratic Citizen Award

Hanover High prides itself on being a democratic school. As presented in the mission statement, all people in the school community are encouraged to use their “hearts, minds, and voices” to effect positive change. The Skip Bean Democratic Citizen Award, sponsored by Council, acknowledges a person or group in the school or community that furthers the purposes and ideals of a democratic school and continually contributes to this democratic process. This award is named in honor of Linwood H. (Skip) Bean, Jr., Associate Principal of Hanover High School from 1970 to 1997. Mr. Bean was a “founding father” of the Council and an outspoken advocate for and supporter of democracy at HHS. In keeping with tradition, the recipient(s) of the award will receive a bag of beans (jelly, coffee, etc.) The Administrative Committee of Council reflects on both personal and collective efforts and contributions over the past school year that have cumulatively added to the vibrancy of school life, encouraged school-wide discussions, and made our school more accessible.

Tom Hanlon Council Award

In 1971, Tom Hanlon came to Hanover High School as a parent volunteer with an idea and a commitment to develop real participation and democracy in the governing of the high school. He was instrumental in forming the Council and in reforming the way we make decisions at Hanover High School. Tom Hanlon died suddenly in 1982, just as many of his ideas were bearing fruit, but the Council continues to feel a great debt to Tom and a responsibility to carry on his ideals in its work. Therefore, each year on class day or at the underclass awards assembly, the Council, by vote of its members, gives the Tom Hanlon Council Award, in the form of an engraved bowl, to a person who by their commitment and activity has increased the sharing spirit of our school, enhanced the processes of governance and decision-making, and promoted the involvement and participation of everyone in our school community.