Local students named to dean’s list at Cedarville University
Catherine Estes, of Sidney, and Josette Gilman, of China, were named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio.
Lydia Gilman achieves Spring 2023 dean’s list at Belmont University
Lydia Gilman
Lydia Gilman, of China, qualified for Belmont University’s spring 2023 dean’s list, in Nashville, Tennessee.
SNHU announces winter 2023 president’s list
The following central Maine students have achieved president’s list status at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kristina Canedo, of Skowhegan, Heather Hall, of Canaan, Ashley Parks, of Anson, Jessica Keay, of Albion, Philip Densmore, Carrielee Harvey, and Alyson Cass, all of Waterville, and Matthew Bandyk, of Jefferson.New Dimensions FCU awards two scholarships to local high school students
Shivon Larsen and Kaiden Kelley accepted their scholarship certificates on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (contributed photo)
New Dimensions FCU has announced that Shivon Larsen, from Temple Academy, in Waterville, and Kaiden Kelley, from Erskine Academy, in South China, have been selected as New Dimensions FCU’s 2023 Scholarship Program winners who have earned $2,500 each for their first year in college.
New Dimensions FCU awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors demonstrating strong character, community involvement, and academic success. This year, both students’ essays showed their character and assessment of financial literacy aligned with our mission and values.
Shivon Larsen will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), in Fairfield, in the fall in General Studies and plans to pursue classes in financial education. Kaiden Kelley will attend Plymouth State University, in New Hampshire, to study Graphic Design.
Ryan Poulin, Chief Executive Officer, states, “Our Scholarship Program is one of the ways we support our community. Often, we hear from students that financial education is an underdeveloped skill they would like to enhance. We do our best to provide them with the necessary tools and resources by adding financial education into their school’s curriculum and offering our Scholarship Program to show the importance of financial success.”
For more information, contact NDFCU at (800) 326-6190 or visit www.newdimensionsfcu.com
Local student named to fall 2022 UAF chancellor’s list
Jeff Beyea, of Whitefield, has been named to the fall 2022 chancellor’s list at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
UAF is a Land, Sea and Space Grant institution and is the leading doctoral degree-granting institution in the state of Alaska. Since it was founded in 1917, UAF has been internationally recognized for research relating to the Arctic and sub-Arctic in areas such as biology, geophysics, engineering, natural resources and global climate change.
VASSALBORO: Teachers ask for more professional development time
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
by Mary Grow
Vassalboro School Board members spent most of their May 16 meeting discussing the 2023-24 school calendar, and scheduled a special zoom meeting for May 22 to approve a final version, after Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer wrote up their revisions and ran them by staff members.
The main issue was professional development time, scheduled hours for staff to do workshops and training and work together on educational issues.
This past year has seen two early release days most months, days when students go home at midday so staff can meet in the afternoon. Principal Ira Michaud reported the most recent day had been used for a zoom workshop with an outside expert.
Alternatives to early release days include late start days (used in some other Maine school organizations, people said) or full days without students. Discussion tried to balance two objectives: maximizing staff time for cooperative work while minimizing inconvenience to parents.
Michaud emphasized that students benefit from the staff development time. The purpose is to share current information and ideas that make classroom teaching more effective.
Pfeiffer reported after the May 22 meeting that school board members unanimously approved the 2023-24 calendar. It will be shared with parents in mailings and posted on the school website, vcsvikings.com.
In other business May 16:
- Michaud reported after screening for next year’s prekindergarten and kindergarten classes, preliminary figures are 29 prekindergarten students and 39 kindergarten students.
- Pfeiffer said plans for summer work include repointing and sealing the school building’s brick exterior, more security upgrades and adding acoustic tiles to reduce noise in the cafeteria.
- Michaud said third-graders won this spring’s penny-collecting contest. The Student Council voted to use the about $400 collected to buy larger national and state flags for the flagpole in front of the school.
Another thought students had was to replace the worn-out slide on the playground, but Michaud said a new slide would cost between $6,000 and $10,000. He’ll keep the need in mind and hope to find money.
- Board members approved Mia Sargent as the new art teacher and Joel Estes, who has been a substitute teacher, as an Educational Technician III.
Michaud said Sargent spent a year becoming a credentialed art teacher, after eight years’ experience as an elementary-school classroom teacher. She succeeds Sue Briggs, one of the two Vassalboro Community School long-timers retiring next month; kitchen manager Mary Dumont is the other.
Pfeiffer and Michaud praised VCS staff for their hard work as school enters “the new normal” after the disruptive covid years.
This year’s eight-grade promotion is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, June 12, at the China Lake Conference Center, on Neck Road, in China.
After the special May 22 meeting, the next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 20.
Board members set their annual summer workshop for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, to be followed by the summer school board meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Carrabec High School honor parts announced (2023)
Luke Carey (left) and Mliss Hem (right)
Valedictorian:
Luke Carey, Carrabec’s Valedictorian, is a student who is a role model in school. With a grade point average of 100.67, he has completed four advanced placement classes, seven honors classes, two early college courses and one dual enrollment class, as well as, advanced math classes. Luke is not only a great student and an extraordinary math team leader, he also applies his strengths to the sports world as well, excelling in basketball, soccer, baseball and tennis. Luke will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington, majoring in actuarial science. Luke is the son of Erik and Tanya Carey, of Embden.
Salutatorian:
Mliss Hem, Carrabec’s Salutatorian, is a bright and successful student. Mliss has a grade point average of 100.00, completing nine honors classes. She came to Carrabec her senior year after being homeschooled and was a great addition to the senior class. Mliss will be attending Washington County Community College, majoring in business management. Mliss is the daughter of Bunn and Margaret Hem, of New Portland.
Windsor students are top 10 seniors at Maine Arts Academy
Maine Arts Academy recognizes all 41 graduates of the class of 2023, according to a news release from Diane Manter at the academy. Among the class’s top ten seniors are Alexis Scott, who was second, and Alyssa Gagne, who was third, both of Windsor.
Graduation will be Thursday, June 1, at the Augusta Civic Center.
Area students named to the University of Vermont dean’s list
The University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vermont, has announced the following local students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester.
Jillian Brown, from Augusta, is majoring in human development and family studies.
Autumn Boody, from Washington, is majoring in communication sciences and disorders.
Abbigail Doiron, from Augusta, is majoring in health sciences.
Carrabec High School top 10 seniors (2023)
Top row, left-to-right: Jessica Benedict, Luke Carey, Lindsay Hamilton, Mliss Hem, Robert Lindblom.
Bottom row: Gabriella Manzer, Caitlyn Oliver, Conner Peabody, William Price, Hunter Sousa
Jessica Benedict is the daughter of Michael and Amanda Benedict, of Anson and April Everton, of Brownville. Jessica will be attending York County Community College for Animal Care and Management.
Luke Carey – Valedictorian, is the son of Erik and Tanya Carey, of Embden. Luke will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington for Actuarial Science.
Lindsay Hamilton is the daughter of Matthew and Marsha Hamilton, of Clinton. Lindsay will be attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle for Biology.
Mliss Hem – Salutatorian, is the daughter of Margaret and Bunn Hem, of New Portland. Mliss will be attending Washington County Community College for Business Management.
Robert Lindblom is the son of Robert and Nicole Lindblom, of Solon. Robert will be attending Thomas College for Education.
Gabriella Manzer is the daughter of Jeremy Manzer, of Anson, and Erin Caldwell, of North Anson. Gabriella will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College for the Paramedic Program.
Caitlyn Oliver is the daughter of Lawrence and Renee Oliver, of Embden. Caitlyn will be continuing in the work force.
Conner Peabody is the son of Robert and Carrie Peabody, of Solon. Conner will be attending Bentley University for Accounting.
William Price is the son of William and Amy Price, of Anson. William will be enlisting in the United States Navy.
Hunter Sousa is the son of Kevin and Elisa Sousa, of Embden. Hunter will be attending Washington County Community College for their Conservation Law Program.