Travis Mills to deliver Unity College 2019 commencement address

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SSgt. Travis Mills

The road every college student takes to complete their degree is never an easy one. It’s full of trying times, late night study sessions, and early morning exams that can certainly be stressful. Whether they know it or not, the more than 130 Unity College graduates receiving diplomas on Saturday, May 11, all persevered using the mantra of the college’s esteemed 2019 commencement speaker, retired Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills: “Never give up. Never quit.”

SSG Mills has told his inspiring story of perseverance all over television (including Ellen, NBC Nightly News, and Fox News) after losing all four limbs to an IED on his third tour of Afghanistan. Mills is one of only five quadruple amputees to survive their injuries received in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he documented his road to recovery in his memoir Tough as They Come, a New York Times Best Seller.

It took 14 hours of surgery, nine doctors, seven nurses – two of which were dedicated to pumping air in and out of his lungs — and 30 blood transfusions to keep Mills alive. When he finally regained consciousness days later on his 25th birthday, the first words out of his mouth were: “How are my soldiers?” Finding out they would be fine, his brother-in-law broke the news to Mills that he wasn’t paralyzed but was, in fact, a quadruple amputee. He became angry and upset, but found the motivation to carry on in his wife and six-month-old daughter.

After returning to the United States for an intense recovery process, which Mills says is an ongoing process every single day, he founded the Travis Mills Foundation based in Rome, Maine, to assist combat-injured veterans. In addition to assisting wounded veterans, Mills worked closely with many victims of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, helping to guide them following amputation, just as other amputees had done for him. Mills also consults with and speaks to companies and organizations nationwide inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges and adversity, no matter what form that may take.

“It is certainly no exaggeration when I refer to Staff Sergeant Mills as a national treasure,” said Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury. “Having watched his story of recovery both physically and mentally unfold on television, I not only find Travis to be a remarkable human being, but also a genuine person who is a natural-born leader. He has a knack for inspiring everyone he comes in contact with, and he can almost always get them to smile or laugh, no matter what it is they’re going through. I can’t wait for our graduates to hear him speak.”

“I am extremely honored to be giving the commencement speech at Unity College, in my home state!” said Mills. “I look forward to sharing my story with the 2019 graduating class, and I hope to inspire resiliency and drive as they enter the workforce or graduate school.”

Dr. Khoury said Mills will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Sustainability Science before addressing the candidates for graduation from America’s Environmental College.

“From here, our graduates will travel all over the world, pursuing careers that they’re passionate about or seek further education,” said Dr. Khoury. “I think that the words and story of Travis will stay with them well after they receive their diploma, and they’ll find ways to apply it in all that they do.”

Commencement exercises begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11. The ceremony, which happens to be Unity College’s 50th May Commencement, is open to Unity College graduates and their guests. The ceremony and speeches will be streamed on the Unity College Facebook page.

Local students named to dean’s list at RIT

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The following local residents made the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, New York, for the 2018 fall semester: Ada Phillips, of Oakland, who is in the software engineering program; Kieran McCarthy-O’Flaherty, of Oakland, who is in the computer engineering program; Tory Leo, of Mercer , who is in the computer science program; and Ashley Avery, of Athens, who is in the hospitality and tourism management program.

Lions club hosts speaking competition

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From left to right, Lion Cal Prescott, Caleb Sacks, Arthur Sollitt, Erskine Advisor Nicholas Waldron, Hagen Wallace, Adam Ochs, Conor Skehan, and Lion club President Kim Haskell. (Contributed photo)

Five members of the Erskine Academy speech and debate team, in South China, competed in the event.

Arthur Sollitt, Adam Ochs, Conor Skehan, Caleb Sacks, and Hagen “Joki” Wallace were accompanied by Nicholas Waldron, advisor for the speech and debate team at Erskine Academy.

Speaking contest winner Hagen Wallace. Contributed photo)

Hagen “Joki” Wallace, a senior at Erskine, whose topic was antibiotic resistance, placed first.

Arthur Sollitt, also a senior at Erskine, placed second with his speech about gratefulness.

Erskine freshman Adam Ochs, spoke on the topic of alternative medicine and placed third.

Students are encouraged to choose a topic on which they feel strongly, and express their ideas publicly and defend those ideas when questioned.

Judges were Lion Brad Bean, Lion Nancy Studley, and Lion Barry Tibbetts.

After each speech, contestants were questioned by Lion Steve Laundrie and Pam Kenoyer.

Timekeeper was Lion Jerry Maldovan.

Organizer of the event was Lion Cal Prescott.

The first place winner will compete at the regional competition to be held at 6 p.m., on March 19, at the Margaret Chase Smith library in Skowhegan.

Instructional coaching important part of RSU #18

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Instructional Coach Shelly Moody, left, works with fifth grade teachers Brianna Brockway, top left, and Alexandra Cotter on analyzing student data, reflecting on instructional practices, and determining interventions and goals for individual students. (Contributed photo)

by Mandi Favreau, Communication Coordinator RSU#18

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. As rewarding as the profession is, it can also be overwhelming to be the caretaker of dozens of young minds while juggling planning, assessments, and trying to keep up with the best new trends in curriculum within your classroom.

Enter the instructional coach. From analyzing student data to mentoring and planning professional development, these teacher leaders have a terrific positive impact on the schools they work in. “Our staff who fill these roles are the most talented, patient and invested individuals,” said Assistant Superintendent Keith Morin. “They make it their job to increase student achievement by working with incredible staff.”

RSU #18 has four instructional coaches – two at the elementary level and two at the middle school level. Shelly Moody covers Atwood and Williams as an instructional coach and Literacy Specialist while Pam Prescott works part-time with Belgrade Central. Jenny Barry is a part-time teacher/part-time coach for MMS while Dean of Students Meagan Murphy fulfills the instructional coach role at CMS. While a typical day looks a little different for each of them, the main focus of the position is always to support teachers around particular goals for student learning.

Coaches spend time in teachers’ classrooms at their request or based on coaching cycles. They offer feedback and support, present direct instruction to students or co-teach with the classroom teacher. They offer planning support, assist teachers in developing their SLOs and growth plans, and assist with the implementation of new curriculum. “Teachers have a place to go,” said Atwood Principal Jennifer McGee, “a non-evaluative and safe arena, to question, probe, analyze and improve the teaching practices they are delivering to children each day.”

Instructional coaches also work with students on reading and writing intervention.  “The best part of every day is the time I spend in classrooms collaborating with teachers,” said Shelly Moody. “There’s nothing better than watching students apply their strategies to solve math problems or sitting beside a student to conference on his/her reading or writing. As a classroom teacher, I was able to have an impact on 20 students during the school year.  In my role as an instructional coach, I’m able to support teachers in the growth of students in twenty-four classrooms.”

At the elementary levels, coaches facilitate weekly grade level meetings to help teachers examine data and plan across content areas. All of our instructional coaches help the administration make curriculum and instruction decisions based on student data and instructional practices. They also spend time developing and leading professional development focused on analyzing data, exploring instructional practices, and developing interventions. “Our instructional coaches ensure we have the best practices and most recent research regarding instructional practices in our teachers’ hands,” said Principal McGee. “They are always reaching out, to a broader state-wide and national platform, about best practices, and then bringing those back to our schoolhouses and classrooms.”

This year, RSU #18’s coaches have also been working closely with Assistant Superintendent Morin on supporting new teachers across the district. “This is new to our job,” said Jenny Barry, “and as far as I can tell it has been a wonderful addition to what we already do to support the teachers within our buildings.”

For each of these coaches, it’s hugely rewarding to be able to collaborate with and support other teachers. “My most favorite part of the job is when a teacher expresses their enthusiasm and excitement when they either try something new or focus on a particular strategy and see the success of it,” said Barry.

That’s key for all our coaches.  These are experienced educators who understand all the struggles that teachers face and want to use their expertise to help.

“After spending 35 years in the classroom, I am well aware of the precious little time teachers have to procure new resources, communicate with their colleagues and specialists, or talk with each other about curriculum, instruction, and interventions,” added Pam Prescott. “I love having the time and opportunity to make this happen. It benefits our entire school.”

Four Seasons Club receives unexpected gift

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Dragging the trails with their new Polaris. (photo: China Four Seasons Club)

Just before Christmas, the China Four Seasons Club received what turned out to be an amazing telephone call. The great guys at Power Equipment Plus started by saying, we’re going to make your day. “Oh,” we said, “and why is that?” said China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf.

“You have a 2019 Polaris Ranger with tracks, insulated cab, heater, extra lights and set up to haul a drag.” Their first thought was we didn’t order that. We were then told it was due from some gracious anonymous donor who wanted to help the club.

How can someone be thanked for such a huge gift? They have since taken delivery of this fine unit and when the snow fell they began utilizing it for dragging 40-plus miles of trails. It will also be used checking trails and doing maintenance to all the trails all year round.

“We can only humbly say thank you to our anonymous donor,” said Rumpf. “And please just know we will use it for what it is intended to be used for. We plan to show it off as much as we can so you will be seeing it around town and at China Days. Again how can we thank you, anonymous donor?”

PALERMO: Window Dressers volunteers to provide demonstration

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Palermo Community Center (Photo by Connie Bellet)

Instead of going down the “rabbit hole” with The Atomic Café, this month’s potluck dinner presentation will focus on a more immediate concern: keeping your home warm. Corliss Davis and the Window Dressers volunteers will be coming to the Palermo Community Center on Friday, February 22, to demonstrate that adding their low-cost window inserts can can save money on heating, make your living space more comfortable by eliminating drafts, and reduce carbon emissions. Over the past year alone, Window Dresser volunteers made 459 new window inserts at the Belfast Boathouse that were placed in many older homes, reducing heating costs significantly. Since Window Dressers is a nonprofit organization, it will work with people who might have trouble paying for the materials. This program is not only worth checking out, but you may also want to join the fun and donate your time and skills.

Bring a dish to share with a lively group of neighbors at 6 p.m. at the Palermo Community Center, Turner Ridge Rd., at Veterans Way. The program is free and open to the public. For more info or directions, please call Connie at 993-2294.

Kennebec Historical Society to present “A History of Camp Keyes”

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This photo was taken sometime in the 1950’s from atop the hill adjacent to Camp Keyes. Vehicles pictured include a mixture of different Army trucks from the time period. (Photo: Maine Army National Guard archives)

For over 100 years, Camp Keyes has been known as the headquarters for the Maine National Guard, in Augusta. But how did that site on the hill come to be chosen? Who is it named for? Who trained there, and why? Come listen as Captain Jonathan Bratten (historian for the Maine National Guard) answers those questions and describes the role that Camp Keyes has played in five different conflicts and for generations of Maine soldiers and airmen.

The February speaker, Captain Jonathan Bratten, is the Command Historian for the Maine National Guard. In this capacity, he has produced multiple articles on the history of Maine’s soldiers, appearing in such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Army History, On Point, and Army Magazine. He has also appeared in the Smithsonian Channel documentary, Americans Underground: Secret Cities of World War I and served as a historian in France for the Army’s World War I Centennial commemorations. Additionally, Captain Bratten is the commander of the 251st Engineer Company and a veteran of Afghanistan. He and his wife live in Portland.

The Kennebec Historical Society February Presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted). The presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., at the Hope Baptist Church, located at 726 Western Avenue, in Manchester.

Fun on Ice

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Opening day at the Old Mill skating rink. (Photo courtesy of Victor Esposito)

Vassalboro resident Ray Breton has opened an ice skating rink right next to the Old Mill and gift shop, on Main St., in Vassalboro. The facility is available to both children and adults. This was the opening day.

Photo courtesy of Victor Esposito

John Veilleux is Winslow’s police officer of the year

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Officer John Veilleux displays his award. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Officer John Veilleux began his career with the Winslow Police Department as a part-time officer in May 2012. Officer Veilleux was hired into the full-time ranks November 2013. The process for Officer of the Year (2018) was unique. The process consisted of all the enlisted employees conducting peer surveys amongst themselves and rating who they believed was most deserving of the award. Once the surveys were completed, the scores were determined by command staff resulting in Officer Veilleux being chosen as Officer of the Year.

China scouts officiate at morning worship

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Scouts from China Boy Scout Troop #479 are seen during Scout Sunday on February 3. Front row, from left to right, Michael Boostedt, Sam Boynton, Hunter Praul, Bryson Pettengill and Cameron Rossignol. Second row, Ayden Newell, Rémy Pettengill, Ron Emery, Sean Boynton and Aiden Pettengill. Back, Scott Adams, Tucker Leonard and Lee Pettengill. (Photo courtesy of Ron Emery)

On February 3 – Boy Scout Sunday – the Boy Scouts from Troop #479, along with some of their leaders, provided the Morning Worship Service at the China Baptist Church. The Scouts, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Scott Adams, have taken part in Scout Sunday Worship service for the over 26 years.

Very few Boy Scout troops in the Kennebec Valley District are provided this opportunity. The Scouts from Troop #479 were invited to prepare most of the worship service by Rev. Ronald Morrell.

Under Rev. Morrell’s direction and with assistance from Troop Committee member Ron Emery, the worship service gave each of the Scouts a chance to participate in the Sunday Morning Worship, as follows: Call to Worship, Scout Aiden Pettengill; Invocation and the Lord’s Prayer, Scout Rémy Pettengill; Responsive Reading, Scout Hunter Praul; Preparation for Prayer, Scouter Tucker Leonard; Pastoral Prayer, Scouter Lee Pettengill; Children Message “The Pledge of Allegiance” by Scouter Ron Emery; Offering by Scouts Sam Boynton, Ayden Newell, Aiden Pettengill, and Rémy Pettengill; Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication, Scout Sam Boynton; A Psalm for Scouts and Scouters by Scout Ayden Newell; Message by Ron Morrell and Benediction by Michael Boostedt.

Music was provided by the senior choir. Greeters were Ayden Newell, Cameron Rossignol and Bryson Pettengill. The twelfth point of the Scout Law, a Scout is Reverent, was exemplified by the Scouts.

A large congregation including boys and leaders in uniforms enjoyed the Sunday service. The China Baptist Church sponsors Boy Scout Troop #479.

Fellowship Hour was hosted by Troop 479 in the vestry.