MANCHESTER — City Hall Plaza resonated with enthusiasm Friday as the members of City Year New Hampshire's Class of 2013 officially began the new school year.

The 52 members of the new CYNH corps donned the program's signature red jackets, during a ceremony outside City Hall. Mayor Ted Gatsas and Manchester schools superintendent Tom Brennan were among the dignitaries welcoming the young people who have committed to 10 months of service in schools, trying to live up to the City Year motto of “Give a Year. Change the World.”

“For them to just come in for a year and say 'I'm going to give it my all — and then some.' It's very, very inspiring,” said Pawn Nitichan, executive director of CYNH. “They learn and they grow as people and serve themselves while they are serving others and that is a really beautiful thing.”

City Year draws members ranging age 17 to 24 who must have at least a high school diploma or GED to qualify. Many have completed college and chose to give a year before entering the workforce.

“I feel like I have a huge duty as a citizen to support the community that fostered my own development,” said 20-year-old Jonathan Kirsch. “City Year is an outlet for that feeling for my patriotism, for my desire to improve the lives of others — and it's fun. It's a lot of fun.”

A native of Bedford, Kirsch did not have to go far for his appointment to the AmeriCorps program. Many others come from throughout the country, going where City Year places them.

Kirsch will be assisting at Parker-Varney Elementary in Manchester. The program's mission is focused on children considered to be at-risk for dropping out of school later in life.

Kirsch was a student at the University of New Hampshire who, after changing his major a few times, decided to take some time off from his own education.

“I felt like I wasn't doing enough where I was,”

He ran into a former high school teacher, told her of his predicament and she suggested City Year.

“I looked into it. I applied and I was lucky enough to get in,” Kirsch said. “I'm more excited than I have ever been.”

Kirsch and his fellow corps members have been training for the last month, learning through team-building exercises and preparing for life in the classroom as a tutor and mentor, rather than just a student.

Nitichan said this is her 13th year with the program, which can be emotionally draining while trying to raise funds for nonprofit work. Then, she takes a look at her crew of young helpers, all eager to give their time and help young students stay on track.

“I will be honest. The work can be very difficult,” Nitichan said. “I think I stay so committed and passionate about my work because of these young people and the passion that they bring to our work and their commitment.”

dalden@unionleader.com