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By Liz Premo, Atlantic News Staff Writer

Atlantic News, Friday, February 17, 2006



Shannon Kiernan

HAMPTON — Still reeling from the recent untimely death of one of its students, Winnacunnet High School was dealt another blow with news that a faculty member had lost her life in a tragic snowboarding accident at Sunday River ski resort in Maine.

Word of the death of science teacher Shannon Kiernan came the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 13 in a letter written by WHS Principal Randy Zito and addressed to students and parents.

A moment of silence had been held earlier in the day when initial reports stated that Kiernan had been seriously injured in the accident, which occurred last Saturday morning on an advanced ski trail dubbed “Obsession.”

Following the accident, Kiernan was transported by helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. According to Sunday River officials, Kiernan had apparently landed on her head when she fell. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, officials added.

“Winnacunnet mourns the loss of a fine young teacher and a beautiful person,” Zito told the Atlantic News on Tuesday morning.

Kiernan’s death came just over a week after WHS junior Lloyd Chapin Jr., age 17, died as a result of a drug overdose.

Kiernan, 28, was in her second year on staff at the high school and was the junior class advisor. She taught physics and physical science classes, and was reportedly well-liked.

According to Zito, counselors from across SAU21 were called into the high school to help students and staff cope with the news. After school activities for the annual Winnacarnival event were canceled for Monday afternoon, but were scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

Members of the Winnacunnet community were encouraged to offer their personal remembrances of Shannon Kiernan through stories, pictures, drawing, and other memories. A collection box was set up in the school guidance office for these items, all of which will be given to her loved ones.

Funeral services and burial, which members of Kiernan’s department were planning to attend, were scheduled to take place on Thursday of this week in Long Island, New York. Arrangements were made by Kiernan’s family for her organs to be donated.

Assistant Principal and Science Area Director Kris Oswald, said Zito, “is managing the plan to continue Shannon’s classes.”

The loss of someone who has been referred to as “a great teacher” is understandably painful for those who worked with Kiernan, as well as for those whom she taught.

“Though we only had her with us for two years,” said Zito,” our dream was to have her here [entire] career.” He added that students and staff are being urged to “keep looking for ways to keep her in our memories forever.”


‘The Difference She Made’

By Patrick Cronin

Hampton Union, Friday, February 17, 2006

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]



Shannon Kiernan

HAMPTON — Shannon Kiernan lived life to the fullest whether it was driving her co-workers crazy singing along to country music or being a ski bum.

She was not a cook, loved her dog Chauncy and despite living in Portsmouth, she was a huge fan of her hometown New York Yankees and was not afraid to show it.

Memories like these are bringing comfort to students and teachers at Winnacunnet High School, as they mourn the loss of a life cut tragically short.

Shannon, who taught physics and science at the school, passed away Sunday at age 28 from injuries sustained in a snowboarding accident.

Her organs were donated; on Valentine’s Day her heart was given to a young Boston man.

Science teachers Heather Clark and Barbara Reid were two of Shannon’s many friends.

“She was full of life and you couldn’t help but notice her with her red hair and accent,” Clark said.

“The students loved to tease her because of her accent,” Reid said. “She was from Long Island and would always say ‘cawhfee.’ Everyone would know when Ms. Kiernan was announcing the basketball games when she would say ‘Spawwlding’ instead of Spaulding.”

Shannon came to Winnacunnet two years ago after teaching a year at Goffstown High School.

Originally from New York, she came to New Hampshire because it had her two favorite things – the ocean and mountains.

She never dreamed she would end up being a teacher, but by all accounts she was natural at it.

The three teachers shared the same office, which they fondly refer to as the “closet.”

And every Friday night they would go out to the Galley Hatch for appetizers with the one rule: “They could talk about anything but school.”

That’s where they found out about Shannon’s passion for the outdoors and the fact that while she was into physical fitness, “she didn’t like what she had to go through to be fit.”

“We would just sit there and talk about everything from relationships to what’s better, cats or dogs,” Clark said. “She would always laugh and her accent would get louder and louder. My cheeks would hurt from laughing because her laughter was so contagious.”

“She loves horses,” Reid said. “She always said she didn’t want an engagement ring when she met ‘Mr. Right.’ She wanted ‘an engagement horse, thank you very much.’ And she said whoever ‘Mr. Right’ is would know her well enough not to even consider a ring.”

“She had a big heart for all forms of life,” Clark said. “After a long day at work, just to unwind, she would log on to the SPCA Web site just to look at animals. She would try to think of a ways that she could get a ranch and take all the dogs and horses from the shelter and keep them all for herself. She wanted ‘a cowboy, an engagement horse and a ranch.'”

Reid said Shannon didn’t like to cook.

“I was always giving her recipes, but I think they just took up space in her kitchen,” Reid said.

One time she gave Shannon a recipe to make a feta cheese caesar seasoned chicken.

“She came in the next day and said she made it and it was terrible,” Reid said. “I asked her if she followed the directions and she said, yes, but left out the part that she marinated the chicken beforehand with teriyaki sauce. She didn’t have any concept on why that would be bad mix.”

Clark said Shannon was also known to sing off-key to country music in the office.

“She tried to sing a lot and sometimes it was just awful, Reid said. “She would always say, ‘I feel like singing and I’m going to sing. I may not be the best, but I’m going to have a fun time doing it.'”

Clark said Shannon would always look on the bright side of things.

“When we would get worked up about something, she would always find the humor in things and make us laugh,” Clark said. “She would always put it in perspective by saying ‘what is the worst that could happen.'”

High School Principal Randy Zito said the students absolutely loved Shannon.

Kris Oswald, assistant principal and supervisor of the Science Department, said Shannon was not just their teacher, but also the junior class advisor.

She attended all the sports events, and her door was always open whenever they needed help. And it was not unusual for her to stay at the school until 5 or 6 o’clock at night.

Students have been stopping by her office to drop off flowers, share stories about her, cry, touch her chair and to say good-bye.

“It just shows you how much she meant to them and impacted their lives,” Clark said. “She would always tell students that they have to follow their dreams.”

Clark said Shannon always wanted to make a difference in the world.

“I think she accomplished her goals,” Clark said. “Not only did she donate her organs to save others, but I’m sure she’s looking down and seeing all the kids coming in sharing stories and seeing the difference she made in their lives.”

Shannon’s organs were donated to people in the New England area.

“Her family told me that one of the doctor’s said the man who got her heart was a huge Red Sox fan,” Clark said. “Shannon was the biggest Yankee fan. I remember one night we went to the (Brewery Lane Tavern) in Portsmouth during the playoffs between the Red Sox and Yankees. She was the only one there dressed in full Yankees gear and cheering them on. I thought we were going to get kicked out of the place.”

“We are betting that he won’t be a Red Sox fan next fall,” Reid said. “Whoever he is, he’s lucky because he has a great heart.”


Faculty and Students Share Remembrances of Kiernan With Her Family

By Patrick Cronin

Hampton Union, Friday, February 17, 2006

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

HAMPTON — Several faculty members will attend today’s wake for Winnacunnet High School teacher Shannon Kiernan in Long Island, N.Y., and they are bringing something special for her family.

Teachers are bringing a box full of memories including student poems, cards, stories and other remembrances of Shannon to her family.

Teacher Heather Clark said a memory box was placed on Shannon’s desk inside the office they share at the high school on Tuesday.

Kiernan, 28, passed away Sunday night from injuries sustained in snowboarding accident at Sunday River ski resort in Maine. Kiernan taught physics and science for the last two years.

Students were given the opportunity to stop by her office, and many did. Some came in to share stories of Kiernan while others just to touch her chair, cry and say good-bye.

“They just loved her so much,” Clark said. “So many kids have come into the office here just to give us a hug and to cry.

“A student, who is a strong, tough guy, came in (Wednesday) and just broke down. It sunk in that she’s really gone.”

Clark said many students read what they wrote about Shannon and it was touching.

“It just shows you how much she meant to them and impacted their lives,” Clark said.

They have also asked if they could do anything for the family and were worried about what would happen to her dog, Chauncy.

“Everyone knew she loved that dog,” Clark said.

The loss of Kiernan hit students and faculty especially hard, following the death of student Lloyd Chapin Jr. 10 days ago.

All week, councilors were at the school for both students and faculty.

Clark said the entire school department has been wonderful.

When teachers arrived on Monday there was a substitute ready for every single one of them.

“I couldn’t teach because I was so distraught,” Clark said. “But I needed to go to school because I needed to be with my colleagues.”

Teachers offered to cover classes on Thursday and Friday while those closest to Kiernan left to attend her wake.

“The administration has been phenomenal with everyone checking in and asking if we are OK,” Clark said. “It makes me feel blessed to be a part of the community. I think it shows what type of community we have. We all come together and deal with it like a family.”


Teacher Donates Heart

By Patrick Cronin

Portsmouth Herald, Friday, February 17, 2006

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

HAMPTON — Shannon Kiernan was a New York Yankees fan known for making lots of friends after moving to Red Sox territory.

The 28-year-old Winnacunnet High School teacher, who died after a snowboarding accident last weekend, has given the gift of life by donating her organs.

And Kiernan’s friends believe she will continue to win New Englanders over, even in death.

“Her family told me that one of the doctors said the man who got her heart was a huge Red Sox fan,” said Heather Clark, a teaching colleague at Winnacunnet. “Shannon was the biggest Yankees fan. I remember one night we went to the (Brewery Lane Tavern) in Portsmouth during the playoffs between the Red Sox and Yankees. She was the only one there dressed in full Yankees gear and cheering them on. I thought we were going to get kicked out of the place.”

Barbara Reid, another Winnacunnet science teacher, offered a prediction.

“We are betting that he won’t be a Red Sox fan next fall,” Reid said. “Whoever he is, he’s lucky because he has a great heart.”

Fond memories

Kiernan is remembered by friends for living life to the fullest whether it was driving her co-workers crazy singing along to country music or being a ski bum.

She loved her dog, Chauncy, and lived in Portsmouth.

Memories like these are bringing comfort to students and teachers at Winnacunnet.

“She was full of life and you couldn’t help but notice her with her red hair and (Long Island) accent,” Clark said.

Kiernan came to Winnacunnet two years ago after teaching a year at Goffstown High School.

Friends said she came to New Hampshire because it had her two favorite things – the ocean and mountains.

On Friday nights, Kiernan, Reid and Clark went to the Galley Hatch restaurant for appetizers. They had one rule: They could talk about anything but school.

That’s where Reid and Clark found out about Kiernan’s passion for the outdoors and that, while she was into physical fitness, “she didn’t like what she had to go through to be fit.”

“We would just sit there and talk about everything from relationships to what’s better – cats or dogs,” Clark said. “She would always laugh, and her accent would get louder and louder. My cheeks would hurt from laughing because her laughter was so contagious.”

“She loves horses,” Reid said. “She always said she didn’t want an engagement ring when she met ‘Mr. Right.’ She wanted ‘an engagement horse, thank you very much.’ And she said whoever ‘Mr. Right’ is would know her well enough not to even consider a ring.”


WHS Teacher Remembered

By Patrick Cronin

Hampton Union, Tuesday, March 14, 2006

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]


Winnacunnet students remember science teacher Shannon Kiernan, who died in a snowboarding accident, during a memorial service on Friday. [Photo by Andrew Moore]

HAMPTON — Students and faculty gathered after school Friday to cry and laugh, but above all to celebrate and remember the life of Winnacunnet High School teacher Shannon Kiernan.

“She was a vibrant, well-liked teacher at our school,” Principal Randy Zito said. “We will have fond memories of her at Winnacunnet.”

Kiernan, who taught science and physics, died at the age of 28 in a snowboarding accident last month.

The service held in the auditorium was organized by the student council as a way to honor the woman who had so much impact on their lives.

Student Courtney Peters recalled the “random word problems” Kiernan would give to students that would not only make them laugh, but think.

She also recalled what the students thought of Kiernan when they first walked into her classroom.

“We were not quite sure what to make of her at first with her large coffee cup and her red hair,” Peters said. “I think we spent the entire first week giggling at her heavy New York City accent rather than listening to what she was saying. But it didn’t take long for us all to become fond of her.”

Peters recalled Kiernan talking about her birthday for two weeks and how she hated getting old and how her science experiments sometimes went haywire.

“She has made such a positive impact on our lives and she will be remembered forever at Winnacunnet,” Peters said.

Emily Jefferson, president of the junior class, said “while she only taught at Winnacunnet for two years they will never forget how wonderful she was.

Kiernan not only was a teacher, but served as the junior class adviser.

“We love you Ms. Kiernan,” Jefferson said.

Others remembered how Kiernan would tell them they are al* wicked smart” and talk about her dog Chauncy.

One student recalled Kiernan’s excuse for not cleaning her car or installing a radio. No one wanted to drive in it because it was such a mess, so she never had to drive anywhere.

Science teacher Adam Edgar said she was a natural teacher.

“The one thing that cannot be taught is the art of teaching,” Edgar said. “You have that certain ‘it.’ And I, and her students, can tell you she had ‘it.'”

Edgar also spoke about how the students handled her passing and how they pulled together as a school community.

“When the accident first happened, the newspapers called it a ‘tragic accident,’ Edgar said. “It was not a tragedy because her life is remembered with all of you. She had an impact on all of us. We are not mourning a tragedy; we are celebrating a life.”

Science teacher Paul Ellis recalled how Kiernan was a diehard Yankees fan while he was a beloved Red Sox fan.

“She is the only one person I would wear a Yankees hat for,” Ellis said.

Frank McBride, principal of Goffstown High School, recalled the impact Kiernan had as a science teacher at that school, where she taught for one year before coming to Winnacunnet.

McBride recalled the day she first came into the school for an interview.

“She came in smiling with her blaze of red hair and I remember thinking to myself I like her energy,” McBride said. “She lit up the room”

After the interview, Kiernan hugged him.

“I’m not the huggable type of guy, but that just spoke to who she was,” McBride said.

John Webb, a guidance counselor at Goffstown High School, remembered the day Kiernan told him she was contemplating leaving and joining Winnacunnet.

“This is where she wanted to be,” Webb said. “What struck me about her is her energy. If you talk to scientists they will tell you it’s their belief that energy never goes away. It never dies. Her energy is still with us. I just wish I had more time to spend with her.”

Members of the WHS science department read a poem they wrote about Kiernan and the WHS chorus sang “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.”

After the service, students paused to sign a memory wall, which will be shared with her family.

Zito said the school is planning to honor Kiernan when the new science addition is completed in the spring.

Zito said that science teachers are rated one though 10 with a bonus point for those who like country music.

“Shannon was an eleven,” Zito said.


See also this website memorializing Shannon.

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