A group of Concord High School graduates is looking to give back to the community and honor late CHS principal Gene Connolly at the same time.
The CHS ’09 Foundation nonprofit will be holding a 9-hole scramble style golf tournament at Beaver Meadow Golf Course on June 8 as a fundraising event for a scholarship in Connolly’s name. Connolly, a former principal at the high school, died last summer after a difficult battle with ALS.
The group’s event will coincide with the 10-year reunion for the class.
“Gene Connolly was a big part of the community,” said graduate Meagan Ferns. “We wanted to be able to give back in his name.”
The exact qualifications and dollar amounts for the scholarship are still being developed, but graduate Matt Knee said it will be offered to any CHS student pursuing a trade school, two-year or four-year degree who has good grades and has demonstrated an affinity for community service. The group is aiming to provide at least one scholarship starting with the Class of 2020.
Connolly was diagnosed in 2014 with ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite the disease, Connolly remained in his leadership position at the school until his retirement in 2016, urging students to make the best of each day.
Connolly strove to remain connected to his students in his last year, communicating with them through a computerized device and greeting them every morning as they arrived at school, even on the days when he needed to navigate the icy walkways.
In a speech 18 months after his diagnosis, Connolly encouraged his students and the community at large to “pay attention, be excellent, say hello to everyone you see, have courage, think before you speak, embrace gratitude, don’t be afraid to tell someone that you love them, tell the truth all the time and family comes first.”
Members of the graduation class from a decade ago all had fond memories of Connolly.
Knee, who only attended CHS for one year, said the principal helped him navigate the credits difference between Bow, his previous school, and Concord in order to graduate on time.
Christopher Mahon remembers Connolly as being “very accepting to students who weren’t conventional” and pushing him to focus on his schoolwork while pursuing technical credits.
The late principal inspired the “Connolly Tough” walk/scholarship/fundraiser, a documentary from filmmaker Dan Habib called Mr. Connolly has ALS, as well as the “Principal Pale Ale,” a beer from Concord Craft Brewing.
The walk had its third event last year. And while the Principal is a limited-release beverage, Concord Craft is planning to release it again for a short time in May and to have it available during the Foundation’s tournament.
The cost to enter the tournament is $100 per player. The foundation is seeking sponsorship spots from $300 to $2,500, with various perks and recognition levels.
Day-of registration begins at 1:30 p.m., with the tourney to start at 2:30 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit chs09foundation.org or email chs09foundation@gmail.com.
(Caitlin Andrews can be reached at 369-3309, candrews@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @ActualCAndrews.)