Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2025 dean’s list. The fall terms run from September to December.
They are Victoria Fortier, of Oakland, Traci Witham, of Clinton, Will Peterlein, of Whitefield, and Krista Antworth and Ashley Penney, both of Augusta.
Brianna Paine, of Madison, was named to the Fall 2025 dean’s list at Berry College, in Rome, Georgia
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, announces the following area students being named to the Fall 2025 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
ALBION: Jessica Keay. AUGUSTA: John Nolin and Jamison Bragdon. BINGHAM: Angie Borges. CANAAN: Jasmine Cayford. CHINA: Octavia Berto and Andrew Cronk. FAIRFIELD: Addison Battis and Grace Marshall. JEFFERSON: Meghan Amsden. LIBERTY: Zachary Eggen. MADISON: Randy LeBoeuf. OAKLAND: Van Boardman and Nina Labbe. SIDNEY: Jaimie Thomas and Ben Hardin. VASSALBORO: Virginia Tuggle. WATERVILLE: Kori Mayo, Keegan Apolinario-Collins, Oase Erkamp, Gregory Jones and Wesberg Jeremie. WINSLOW: Joseph Slater and Trevor Lovely.
Huard’s Martial Arts student Kate Shores, 14, of Benton, recently captured both the divisional and state championship titles for forms, weapons and fighting. (photo by Central Maine Photography)
Huard’s Martial Arts student Isabella Citro, 17, of Waterville, captured the State Karate Championship Title for 2025. (photo by Central Maine Photography)
From left to right, Mason Sheets, Linnea Burke-Mayka, Rose Ker, Dora Blaisdell, Ellyse Doyon, and Levi Cardenas. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
The Albert S. Hall School Civil Rights Team, in Waterville, is working to raise money for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. They will use the money to buy toys, movies, and games from the hospital’s wish list. They chose this charity because some of the students had been there themselves and/or had family members who had been there. They worked diligently to make posters and cans for donations over the holiday break. Then, they spent this past Saturday, January 10, at Shaw’s Supermarket, in Waterville, telling others about the program and asking for money donations. Their goal is to raise $500.
Erskine Academy
High honors: Connor Alcott, Emily Almeida, Linda Bergholz, Addyson Briggs, London Castle, Nathan Choate, William Choate, Lillian Clark, Madeline Clement-Cargill, Sylvia Davis, Joshua Denis, Charles DeSchamp, Lauren Dufour, William Ellsey Jr., Ethan Frost, Stephen Gould, Madison Griffiths, Aiden Hamlin, Evan Heron, Mia Hersom, Aidan Huff, Alexus Jackson, Halle Jones, Kasen Kelley, Kayle Lappin, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Paige McNeff, Parker Minzy, Jaden Mizera, Jack Murray, Elijah Nelson, Bayley Nickles, Jordyn Parise, Gwendolyn Parker, Ruby Pearson, Abigail Peil, Elijah Pelkey, Isabelle Pelotte, Jackson Pelotte, Emily Piecewicz, Taisen Pilotte, Hannah Polley, Desirae Proctor, Hannah Ratcliff, Brynna Rodrigue, Jackie Sasse, Autumn Sawyer, Edward Schmidt, Jaelyn Seamon, Kathryn Shaw, Trenton Smith, Madelynn Spencer, Justice Stevens, Kayla Stred, Abigail Studholme, Phoebe Taylor, Clara Theberge, Donovan Thompson, Kammie Thompson, Mahe Trannois, Addison Turner, Oryanna Winchenbach, Brody Worth, and Maddilyn York.
Honors: Savannah Baker, Gavin Bartlett, Lucas Berto, Brock Bowden, Logan Breton, Addyson Burns, Benjamin Carle, MacKenzie Chase, Drew Clark, Timothy Clavette, Audryanna DeRaps, Riley Dixon, Jacob Faucher, Solomon Fortier, Madison Gagnon, Willow Haschalk, Easton Houghton, Talula Kimball, Timothy Kiralis, Kloie Magoon, Brayden McLean, Phoebe Padgett, Jacoby Peaslee, Logan Poulin, Alexander Reitchel, Owen Robichaud, Leahna Rocque, Kameron Rossignol, Briella Scanavino, Benjamin Severy, Eva Simmons, Blake Smith, Benjamin Sullivan, Leah Targett, Kamryn Turner, Ella Winn, and Addison Witham.
High Honors: William Adamson IV, Isaac Audette, Olivia Austin, Jeremiah Bailey, Luke Blair, Jackson Blake, Silas Bolitho, Hailey Boone, Madeline Boynton, Cassidy Brann, Liam Burgess, Emma Casey, Olivia Childs, Hunter Christiansen, Khloe Clark, Landon Clements, Collin Clifford, Robin Dmitrieff, Logan Dow, Bella Dutilly, Isabella Farrington, Gianna Figucia, Adalyn Glidden, Cody Grondin, Madison Harris, Katheryn Holden, Lilly Hutchinson, Reid Jackson, Ivy Johns, Callianne Jordan, Maverick Knapp, Annie Miragliuolo, Alexis Mitton, Kienna-May Morse, Jacoby Mort, Bryson Pettengill, Anna Popelkova, Sovie Rau, Tayden Richards, Lailah Sher, Bryson Stratton, Gabriel Studholme, Sabrina Studholme, Kaleb Tolentino, Carter Ulmer, and Eryn Young.
Honors: Owen Abram, Ariana Armstrong, Ashton Bailey, Delia Bailey, Linnea Bassett, Benjamin Beale, Seth Bridgforth, Delaney Brown, Connor Crommett, Jilian Desjardins, Ryley Desmond, Nolan Dow, Kelsie Dunn, Wyatt Ellis, Danica Ferris, Audrey Fortin, Colby Frith, Nicholas Gould, Kaylee Grierson, Addison Hall, Eva Hayden, Auburn Horn, Johanna Jacobs, Evan James, Mason Lagasse, Bryson Lanphier, Matthew Lincoln, Jack Malcolm, Jasai Marable, Gage Miller, Lauryn Northrup, Madeline Oxley, Molly Oxley, Teagan Pilsbury, Kristianna Porter, Dylan Proctor, Caylee Putek, Samuel Richardson, Tyler Robbins, Lucas Short, Ian Smith, Colby Spry, Hellena Swift, Malaya Tagalicud, Braeden Temple, Mackullen Tolentino, Caleb Waldrop, Tyler Waldrop, and Isabella Winchenbach
High Honors: Joshua Bailey, Madeline Berry, Ella Beyea, Brooke Borja, Dominic Brann, Nicholas Carle, Ryan Carle, Lily Chamberlain, Ryleigh French, Shelby Gidney, Christina Haskell, Bristol Jewett, Josephine Kelly, Marlin Lawrence, Bella Lefferts, Colbie Littlefield, Dylan Maguire, Stella Martinelli, Mason Mattingly, Skyler McCollett, Lainey McFarland, Ava Miragliuolo, Brandon Piper, Angelina Puiia, Jacob Rogers Jr, Jakobe Sandoval, Parker Smith, Maxine Spencer, Leigha Sullivan, Reid Sutter, Benjamin Theberge, Audrey Tibbetts, Hannah Tobey, Kinsey Ulmer, Sorrel Vinci, and Leah Watson.
Honors: Clifton Adams IV, Landon Alexander, Megan Bailey, Hunter Baird, Mackenzie Bowden, Benjamin Bragg, Jackson Bryant, Daegan Creamer, Zoey Demerchant, Dante Farrell, Jeffrey Feyler III, Trevor French, Tyler Gagnon, Riley Gould, Myla Gower, Rachel Grant, Amiah Graves, Naomi Harwath, Griffin Hayden, Baylee Jackson, Landon Larochelle, Dorothy Leeman, Madison Levesque, Faith MacMaster, Isabella Magioncalda, Mason Marable, Ayla McCurdy, Annabella Morris, Grant Munsey, Grace Oxley, Lexi Pettengill, Camryn Prosper, Kevin Robinson, Thomas Roe, Jacob Shanholtzer, Hunter Small, Khloe Soucy, Ethan Studholme, Kayleigh Trask, Kallie Turner, Annezamay Veilleux, and Reid Willett.
High Honors: Ryker Adams, Holden Altenburg, Cheyenne Arbour, Jacob Blais, Emma Bragg, Addison Brann, Josephine Carr, Avery Childs, Keegan Clark, Clara Cole, Riley Coleman, Adriana Collins, Benjamin D’Alfonso, Aurora Durgin, Ryan Edwards, Zoie Elliott, Lilith Every-Blanchard, Riley Flagg, Baylee Fuchswanz, Zoe Gaffney, Mylie Geroux, Allyson Gilman, Kendra Grierson, Layla Gunnison, Emma Hunt, Brennan Joslyn, Athaya Lessard, Annah MacPhee, Mia McLean, Liam McNaughton, Zoe Nadeau, Elijah Norton, Christopher Ontiveros, Silas Parlin, Camille Pearson, Gideon Pelkey, Rosaria Puiia, Lauren Reay, Emilee Saucier, Brody Sevey, Jude Sheehan, Jaycee Smith, Bryce St. Onge, Emery St. Onge, Dylan Theberge, Theodore Thompson, Grace Tobey, Jadynn Wilkins, Ava Woods, and Emma Wooley.
Honors: Emelia Bartlett, Brian Bates, Samuel Bechard, Haydin Bolduc, Kiley Brann, Eva Brunelle, Wyatt Chase, Emily Clark, Carter Cooper, Finnegan Cotter-Hayes, Ilyda Dyer, Kelcie Flannery, Ava Fortin, Fury Frappier, Anthony Gagnon, Jaike Gagnon, Connor Glidden, Emmalyn Godbout, Abbigail Goodwin, Amelia Goodwin, Kairi Hart, Alexander Kopilevich, Nolan Landry, Kaitlyn Lavallee, Olivia Libby, Chase Macioch II, Owen Maranda, Caroline Mathews, Talan Mayo, Elliot McQuarrie, Bella Millay, Amelia Mitchell, Samuel Nelson, Max Nessmith, Norah Oakes, Scarlett Pollard, Jayden Portillo, Noah Rau, Owen Seamon, Maxwell Trussell, Dominic Tudela, Makenzie Turner, Henry Uleau, Carter Vigue, Rylee Ware, and Charles Winchenbach.
Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson with the many baked goods they assembled for a sale to help a fellow student. (contributed photo)
If you’re from Maine, you know that we are just one big small town. Everyone knows everyone, and if you don’t, it’s a safe bet that five minutes of conversation will lead to a name that you both recognize. As a teacher, I am blessed to work in a small rural community where neighbors help neighbors. China Middle School has less than 200 students in grades 5-8. The student to teacher ratio affords us many opportunities to get to know our students better and build strong bonds and relationships. It’s a wonderful little school community where people truly care about one another not just as learners and educators, but as human beings.
Sixth graders Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson witnessed a situation in which a classmate was in need of assistance shortly before Thanksgiving break.
This is perhaps best illustrated by two young men at our school who recently noticed a student who was struggling and set out to do whatever they could to help. Sixth graders Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson witnessed a situation in which a classmate was in need of assistance shortly before Thanksgiving break, but the pair didn’t know exactly what they could do to help or, more importantly, if anyone would help at all.
Later that week, Spencer texted Finn hoping he might be on board with helping him figure out a way to help their peer. When Spencer didn’t hear back right away, he thought Finn wasn’t interested and that he’d be doing this alone. Turns out, Finn simply hadn’t checked his phone in a couple of days, but the moment he did, he loved the idea and replied to Spencer that he was totally on board.
Finn and Spencer approached our administrators, Principal Lacey Studholme and Assistant Principal Rob Moody, about their idea. They weren’t exactly sure what to do or how to go about it, but they quickly brainstormed some ideas. One of them was to hold a 50/50 raffle at a home basketball game. Another thought was that they would
hold a bake sale at school. The pair put in about six to seven hours (you’re welcome, middle schoolers) to hash out logistics and prepare a presentation, then the two young men stayed after school one day in early December to present their idea to the CMS staff.
They were very nervous about how their idea would be received. “We weren’t sure what to do. Will it be a bug bust? Will the student and the student’s family be OK with this? What if the kids forget to bring money for the bake sale? What if the teachers don’t like the idea and it’s a failure?” Spencer later told me. He needn’t have worried.
The teachers immediately embraced their passion project to help a classmate in need and jumped in, all hands on deck. Staff donated baked goods, pretzels, plastic baggies, cups, hot cocoa, marshmallows, popcorn, and their time to help the boys in any way they could. They had a goal of $500. They weren’t sure how long it would take to reach that figure, or even if they could.
Announcements went out each morning for a week letting students know that the first of two holiday bake sales would take place on the second Friday in December so they could be prepared with cash on the day of the sale. When the big day finally arrived, Finn and Spencer took turns going from classroom to classroom during period two to call students down to buy their snacks. The response was overwhelming. They had so many hot cocoa orders they couldn’t keep up with business! They had to take orders and send kids back to class and then hand deliver their beverages when they were ready.
The boys were busy the entire period. It was an overwhelming success. In one hour they had not only reached their goal, they had exceeded it, garnering $578 to help their classmate in need. The boys were very pleasantly surprised to learn that word had gotten out about their fundraising efforts and some folks were even sending in cash donations! They got $30 from a fellow student, $20 from one of the boy’s grandmother, and another $100 donation from a parent’s co-workers.
The following Friday, the boys were at it again. More donations of pretzels and baked goods and cocoa came pouring in, and at the second bake sale, things went much smoother. The boys were prepared to go big or go home! This time they raised $350.
For two hours worth of work, the boys were closing in on double what they set out to do to help their classmate. That’s pretty special. They are not sure if they will continue the bake sales after Christmas break, but if they do, Finn says, they want to start an ongoing fund to help anyone at China Middle School in need, kids or adults.
The boys both said they were friends before this project, but actually seeing it through together has brought them closer. Finn and Spencer gave me some helpful tips for any student out there who has an idea or wants to help someone, but doesn’t know how to get started. “Go home and talk to your parents, “ Spencer said. “Go to the principal or a teacher you can trust.” That will certainly set the wheels in motion. But perhaps Finn nailed it on the head when he advised, “Talk to a friend with a really big voice. They will help you spread the word and get things going.”
Today, I’m going to be that friend with a really big voice. Kudos to you, Spencer and Finn, for stepping up to help a classmate in need. Most kids, maybe even most adults, would see the problem and feel badly, but do nothing about it. You two had the gumption to speak up, to put in the work, get your hands dirty, and lend a hand when it was needed most. Rest assured, you have been an example and a bright light to all those who watched you put this together. You have spread hope and cheer at a time when our days are their bleakest and darkest of the year. Thank you for lighting the path and teaching us how to do good in this world. Afterall, isn’t that what the Christmas season is really all about?
Seniors of the Trimester, from left to right, Kammie Thompson, William “Billy” Ellsey Jr., Nathan Choate, and William Choate. (contributed photo)
On Friday, December 12, 2025, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.
Tenure awards were presented to five faculty members: Jessica Haskell and Scott Minzy for 20 years of service; Gilberto Ortiz and Michael Soule for 25 years of service; and Heather Shute for 30 years of service.
Renaissance Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Jaycee Smith, Ryker Adams, Emma Wooley, Hunter Baird, Ben Theberge, Maddie Oxley, Addison Witham, Brynna Rodrigue, and Owen Robichaud.
In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to four members of the senior class: William Choate, son of Elizabeth Choate, of Windsor, and Mike Choate, of Liberty; Nathan Choate, son of Stephanie and Mike Choate, of China; Kammie Thompson, daughter of Laura Thompson, of Jefferson; and William “Billy” Ellsey Jr., son of Jennifer Ellsey and Phil Smith, of Windsor, and William Ellsey Sr., of Deerfield, New Hampshire. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.
In appreciation of his dedication and service to Erskine Academy, a Faculty of the Trimester award was presented to Michael Soule, Science Instructor and Dean of Students.
Faculty of the Trimester Michael Soule. (contributed photo)
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
At their Dec. 9 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard a presentation from Vassalboro Community School’s two counselors and an update on building renovations from Tom Seekins, president of Portland-based Energy Management Consultants (EMC).
Counselors Gina Davis and Jamie Routhier (also speaking for social worker Megan Simmons, who was unable to attend the meeting) explained what they do with and for VCS students, their parents and school staff, routinely and in emergencies.
Routine includes holding classes that help students develop self-control and other individual and social skills; both counselors meet regularly with entire classes and with smaller groups. They also counsel individual students as needed, interrupting their schedules to deal with emergencies.
“We have big behavioral needs,” and not just at VCS, Routhier said. She considers two counselors a necessity for VCS’s 420 students.
Both women are former classroom teachers, a background Davis considers useful.
They listed some of the related programs they work with. Davis praised Colby Mentors, which brings Colby College students to VCS for weekly one-on-one sessions with students in grades four through eight; often a four-year relationship is maintained.
Another program, called Sources of Strength, is a student-led leadership program for students in grades five through eight. It is sponsored by the Maine division of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Maine).
The Mid-Maine Technical Center, in Waterville, allows VCS eighth-graders to observe each of its programs. Because VCS graduates may choose their high school, in January and February each year Routhier arranges for eighth-graders to visit the area high schools most students attend and invites other high schools to make presentations at VCS.
The VCS Cares Closet collects items for families in need; Routhier thanked resident Amy Davidoff for organizing its contents. She said the school’s parent-teacher organization and the Vassalboro Food Pantry also contribute.
Seekins introduced EMC Project Manager Daniel LaBrie, who has taken over from the team who designed the VCS work. The two men said exterior doors have been replaced, and new lighting is being installed, with crews starting work at 8 p.m. and working through the night. The lighting replacement should be finished by the end of January, 2026.
Major work, including replacing the heating and ventilation systems to yield more comfort and great efficiency, is scheduled to begin after school lets out in June. Seekins plans to be mostly done by the second week in August, so crews will not be in the way of teachers getting ready for fall 2026 classes.
Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer thanked Seekins, LaBrie and their team for their work and for their “incredible responsiveness,” including answering weekend emails.
On another construction issue, Pfeiffer said the application for Vassalboro Planning Board approval to expand the school parking lot is on the agenda for the Jan. 6 planning board meeting. He praised codes officer Eric Currie for his help.
In other business, board members unanimously approved renewing the interlocal agreement with Winslow and Waterville school departments for another three years, continuing to share services and personnel.
They unanimously accepted Pfeiffer’s resignation as superintendent, effective June 30, 2026.
The next Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
Front row, left to right, Rep. Katrina Smith, Daniel Tuminaro, Martin Estes, and Emma Sherrell. Back row, Jen Tuminaro, Noah Tuminaro, Conner, and Sen. Richard Bradstreet.
Welcoming smiles, outstretched hands, and an encouraging atmosphere greeted us as we entered the Maine State House. Representative Katrina Smith and Senator Dick Bradstreet seemed excited and eager to talk with us, and were prepared to teach us wisdom and practical knowledge. The beautiful building, the information about our state government, and the advice regarding our future really made this trip an unforgettable experience.
Homeschool high school Civics class tours the Capitol with Sen. Bradstreet and Rep. Smith
Our visit began with a tour of the State House. Paintings adorned the walls between the many committee rooms, and we admired them as we made our way to see the dizzying rotunda. The grand details, from a life-size portrait of George Washington, to the fossils inlaid in the tiles, to even 16 select windows that represent the 16 counties, were testaments to the careful construction of the building. Thankfully, Sen. Bradstreet’s assistant, Brendan, remarked on many of these details so that we did not miss them. One of our favorite rooms, the Hall of Flags, served as a tribute to previous wars and to battalions of brave soldiers who fought for our freedom. Reading the plaques and surveying the multiple flags provided us with a sense of respect for and gratitude to those who had given their all for our country.
Martin Estes, left, and Daniel Tuminaro, at the podium. (contributed photos)
Our tour continued into the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives. We were impressed with the uniform rows of leather chairs, large podiums, and intricate paintings of previous legislators. We received instructions not to touch the chairs, out of respect for their intended occupants, but we were encouraged to step up onto the Senate podium and pound the wooden gavel. The Senate room in particular gave off a celestial feeling, mainly through its high ceiling and elegant windows which lavished the room with sunbeams. Bright yellow designs on the blue carpet imitated the stars in the sky, adding to the ethereal aura.
Throughout the entire tour, Rep. Smith and Sen. Bradstreet were very open to answering our questions and loaded us with information regarding the state government system. They elaborated on the process by which a bill grows from its humble beginnings to its final form, and they emphasized the great number of people and hours involved. They made our visit interesting and enjoyable, giving us patriotic pins for our suit jackets and telling eventful stories of late nights and long debates in their workplaces. Both of them serve our government for the good of the state and its people.
Their determination to provide a better culture for current and future generations is grounds for admiration.
Our journey ended with a Q and A which took place in a press conference room. Both Rep. Smith and Sen. Bradstreet spoke words of encouragement, wisdom, and morality. They explained the government is a representation of the culture, and that we should strive to improve its ethics and principles, which would ultimately result in an improved government. A civilization with strength and wisdom makes for an ethical and solid government. Sen. Bradstreet advised us to “read good books and be knowledgeable.” Rep. Smith encouraged us to “put ourselves out there and to stand up for what is right.”
Our trip to the State House was very thought provoking and informative. We learned not only about the historical tributes and the architectural features of the building, but also the way our government functions on a magnified level. Both Rep. Smith and Sen. Bradstreet are passionate about improving today’s culture and preserving it for future generations. They are examples of how leaders should serve their people, being just and strong in making good decisions and laws. In turn, our society should be knowledgeable about our inheritance, and future leaders should strive to represent and serve the people.
We are grateful for the hours that Rep. Smith and Sen. Bradstreet spent with us, despite their massive workloads. They proved that they both truly care about shaping the future for the better, and their wisdom should remind us that it is the culture’s job to model that future, too.
Contributed photo