Oct. 16, 2025 – The Education Alliance for New Hampshire is proud to announce that Jaime Ceniceros, a graduate of EANH’s GEAR UP Manchester program, has been named Student of the Year at the 2025 Rising Stars Awards hosted by Stay Work Play New Hampshire.
The Student of the Year Award honors a New Hampshire high school or college student who excels academically while making a meaningful impact in their community. This year, the Education Alliance for New Hampshire had the privilege of sponsoring the award.
“This award celebrates the best and brightest students across New Hampshire,” said Stephanie Lesperance, Chief Strategy Officer for the Education Alliance for NH. “It’s especially meaningful for us this year because Jaime is one of our own: a GEAR UP Manchester graduate whose leadership and compassion continue to inspire those around him.”
Jaime, a graduate of Manchester West High School, is now in his first year at Saint Anselm College, where he is studying Legal Studies with a minor in Political Science. Through his involvement with the GEAR UP Manchester program, Jaime embraced every opportunity to grow and develop critical leadership skills, gaining insights into future planning, and making informed decisions about his goals.
Jaime also demonstrated his exceptional leadership and served as a student representative on the Manchester School Board and as a captain on the football field. In his nomination, Jaime was described as a student who was “a powerful voice for his peers, bringing forward important issues and advocating for meaningful change.” Among his accomplishments as a Manchester West student, Jaime played a pivotal role in establishing a boys’ volleyball team, addressing concerns related to truancy and the school’s code of conduct, and addressed the Manchester Mayor and Board of Aldermen to voice his concerns over a proposed $9.5 million district budget cut.
His nominator added, “His personal experiences have fueled his passion for immigration law, and he aspires to advocate for those in similar situations, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
The Education Alliance for New Hampshire is grateful to Stay Work Play NH for hosting these important annual awards and for recognizing outstanding young leaders like Jaime. We are honored to sponsor the Student of the Year Award and celebrate all the inspiring recipients who are shaping New Hampshire’s future.