I'm coming to Keene State - Lydia St. Pierre

High school seniors typically consult with numerous friends and family members when deciding on which college to attend. It wasn’t unusual when Lydia St. Pierre, an honors graduate of Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Maine, sought the advice of her grandfather Leonard Barron, a 1964 graduate of Keene State College.

“He told me he loved Keene State,” St. Pierre said. “And when I found out about the school’s sustainable product design and innovation program, I was sold.”

“I remember Lydia asking me about Keene State and I told her I enjoyed my time there and received a very good education. I would certainly recommend it,” said Baron, who taught for 35 years, including 33 years at Winnacunnet High School before retiring in 1999.

Barron said he’s happy that his granddaughter will be attending his alma mater. He looks forward to seeing her play for the Keene State basketball team this season. If Lydia St. Pierre demonstrates the same drive and determination she displayed as a student-athlete at Marshwood High, then the South Berwick native is on her way to a very productive career at Keene State College.

A feisty competitor, St. Pierre overcame numerous injuries throughout her high school career, including one that threatened to keep her off the basketball court during her senior season. Despite suffering a torn ACL and MCL, as well as broken kneecap in an AAU game, St. Pierre not only returned to the Marshwood line-up, she earned All-League defensive honors. “She’s a very driven player,” said Barron about St. Pierre, who also played soccer and ran track for the Marshwood Hawks.

Spending the summer rehabbing from her injury, St. Pierre visited the Keene State campus several times. “I like how the campus is set up. I found it cozy and easy to navigate. I can’t wait to call it my new home.”