Local students graduate from Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University, in Plymouth, New Hampshire, congratulates more than 650 students who received their academic degrees on Friday-Saturday, May 9-10, 2025, at the Bank of New Hampshire.

They include Dylan Flewelling, of Oakland, graduated Summa Cum Laudewith a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Physiology. Riley Johnson, of Windsor, graduated Summa Cum Laudewith a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Courtney Peabody, of Solon, graduated Magna Cum Laudewith a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, and Abigail Sewall, of Jefferson, graduated Magna Cum Laudewith a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

EVENTS: Messalonskee girls soccer plans annual mentoring day

Sadie Pieh, left, helps Pearl Pelsman through the obstacle course at last year’s ShineOn Saturday. The 10th annual event connects area youth girls with Messalonskee girls soccer players for a fun day of skills, games, and positive youth mentoring. ShineOn Saturday is held annually to honor former Eagle midfielder and youth mentor Cassidy Charette. The event is free to all interested girls, Pre-K to Grade 5, on Saturday, September 13, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Messalonskee High School Grass Soccer Field, in Oakland. To register, visit shineoncass.org. (contributed photo)

Messalonskee High School Girls Soccer and the ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 10th annual girls’ youth mentoring day “ShineOn Saturday” September 13, from noon to 2 p.m., on the Messalonskee High School Grass Soccer Field, in Oakland. The event is held to honor former Messalonskee soccer player and youth mentor Cassidy Charette, who died in a hayride accident October 11, 2014.

Area girls, ages pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, are invited to attend this free event. Soccer skills are not required. In addition to participating in skill building and fun field games, attendees will receive a free snack, an autographed team poster, a ShineOnCass wristband, and are invited to participate in Girls Youth Soccer Recognition Day at the Lady Eagles’ home game on October 4, 10 a.m., on the Messalonskee turf field.

To register for ShineOn Saturday, visit shineoncass.org.

The ShineOnCass Foundation was created to educate, inspire, and empower youth to shine their own light through kindness and volunteer charitable activities. For more information about the ShineOn Saturday event or the Foundation, visit shineoncass.org or email shineoncass@gmail.com

PHOTO: Oakland School supplies

Christine Meader, Ed Tech at Williams Elementary School, in Oakland, standing next to donations collected by Bonnie Vigue Audet, at American Legion Decker-Simmons Legion Post #51, Oakland. If you are interested in donating, donations are still being accepted, you can contact Bonnie at the American Legion, 207-465-2446.(contributed photo)

EVENTS: Erskine Academy to host new student orientation (2025)

Erskine Academy

All incoming freshmen or new students and their parents are invited to attend the Erskine Academy New Student Orientation on Tuesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym. The administration strongly encourages all incoming students to attend this event as it is an opportunity to become better acquainted with the faculty, facilities, and programs at Erskine. The first day of school for freshmen only will be Wednesday, August 27.

Please contact the school at 445-2962 with any questions.

Erskine Academy named one of the best places to work in Maine for second consecutive year

Erskine Academy

Erskine Academy is proud to announce that it has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Maine for both 2024 and 2025. This marks the second year in a row the school has earned this distinction, making it the only independent high school in Maine to receive the honor.

The Best Places to Work in Maine program recognizes the state’s top employers across small, medium, and large business categories. Now in its 20th year, the list is compiled by the Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Best Companies Group, and BridgeTower Media.

To be eligible for the award, organizations must be at least one year old, have a physical location in Maine, employ at least 15 full- or part-time workers in the state, and operate as a for-profit, not-for-profit, or government entity.

Earning this recognition two years in a row reflects the strong, supportive culture Erskine has built – one where faculty and staff feel valued, encouraged, and inspired to do their best work every day. The school believes that when employees thrive, students thrive, and this connection is evident across campus in both the learning environment and student outcomes.

For more information about the Best Places to Work in Maine program, visit: https://maineshrm.org/best-places-to-work/.

TEAM PHOTO: Senior football camp

The 2025 annual PAL Senior Football Camp (July 29-31), was held at the Lawrence High School, and led by Lawrence varsity Coach John Hersom and his high school football players. It was organized by PAL football director, Nick Nadeau. Photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography staff

PHOTOS: Winslow summer track and field

Photos by Galen Neal / Central Maine Photography

Andrew Smith

Kylie Wolfe

Lillian Warren

Barrett Brochu

Lane Poulin

Taylor Peterson

Ronin Mansfield

Area students named to dean’s list at UNE

The following area students have been named to the University of New England’s dean’s list for the spring semester 2025, in Biddeford:

Augusta: Mallory Erickson, Tyler Pelletier, and Nhasino Phan Daraun White. China Village: Nabila Harrington. Fairfield: Caitlyn Mayo. Jefferson: Ava White. Liberty: Mckenzie Kunesh. Madison: Peyton Estes. Oakland: Francesca Caccamo. Sidney: Valerie Capeless and Brady Doucette. Skowhegan: Elizabeth Connelly, Catherine Kelso, Zoe Lambke, and Ashley Mason. South China: Richard Winn. Vassalboro: Adam Ochs. Waterville: Asher Grazulis, Emma Michaud, Grace Petley, Emilee Richards, Elizabeth Schmitt, Caitlyn Smith and Evan Watts. Windsor: Kassidy Barrett.

VCS students actualize welcome to Vassalboro signs

Last year Town Manager Aaron Miller reached out to Vassalboro Community School’s art teacher Mia Sargent and pitched an idea that not only sparked creativity with her students but also will surely build hometown pride for many years to come.

Rather than spend about $1,600 to have the signs manufactured, the town spent about $120 on plywood. The paint was donated from Public Works Director Brian Lajoie. The end product was well worth the wait.

To create their designs, students first engaged in brainstorming and research about the town of Vassalboro, reflecting on what makes Vassalboro the unique and remarkable place that it is. Many students chose to represent aspects of nature in their designs, as these images highlight the characteristic beauty of the area and can resonate with the larger population of Vassalboro. Hundreds of designs were drawn by the students of VCS, which they then voted on to narrow down to just a handful of designs.

The final four designs represented on the signs showcase the collaborative and dedicated efforts of students across the grade levels of VCS. The Vassalboro Community School students are proud of their work in designing and creating the new Vassalboro town line signs.

Local students named to St. Lawrence Univ dean’s list

St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, congratulates more than 630 students named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2025 semester.

They include Lola Caruso, of Norridgewock. Caruso is a member of the Class of 2028. Caruso attended Skowhegan Area High School.

Nina Dabas, of Winslow. Dabas is a member of the Class of 2028 and is majoring in English and political science. Dabas attended Maine School of Science and Mathematics.