Madison Legion Auxiliary gathers school supplies

Pictured left to right, Amy Washburn, and Betty Price, sort through the many school items gathered. (contributed photo)

submitted by Harriet Bryant

Over the years, the American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belaner, Unit #39, Madison, has supported community programs such as children and youth. In recent years the organization has sponsored a school supplies collection which included backpacks, pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, binders, crayons, colored pencils, water bottles, hand sanitizer, etc. With the generosity of cash donations and school supplies from the community and members, the American Legion Auxiliary of Madison was able to donate $450 worth of school supplies to 6 schools in the SAD #59 Madison and RSU#74 Anson area!!

As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALA forVeterans. org or contact: Jacie Pollis, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950.

PHOTOS: Youth football action in Oakland

Messalonskee youth team member Andrew Proctor running with the football while Winslow’s Tristan Blaney (32), Nathan Merrill (41) and Freddie Pullen (75) move in for the tackle. The game took place on October 7. (Photos by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Waterville team member Malahki Klaiber (12) looks for open field while, Alex Sheehan (80), Connor Jones (27) and Quincy Brittingham (4) form a wall on Messalonskee defender Zoeey Emmons. The game ended in a 12-12 tie. (Photos by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

SNHU announces summer 2024 President’s List

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2024 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.

Van Boardman, of Oakland, Blake Laweryson, of North Anson, Misty Ray, of Montville, Stormy Wentworth, of Fairfield, Jacob Colson, of Albion, Sierra Winson, of Winslow, Andre Coachman, of Waterville, Joseph Slater, of Winslow, Oase Erkamp, of Waterville, Morgan Bergeron, of Augusta, Krista Neal, of Augusta, Nicholas Stutler, of Sidney, Ivette Hernandez Cortez, of Augusta, and David Phillips, of Augusta.

Beauty from Ashes: Reflecting on 9/11 at China school

From left to right, Everett Packard, Eli Goodwin, Patrick Roberts, James Trojecki, Kennebec Sheriff Deputy Stefanizzi, Chris Berto, Nathaniel Monroe, and Leslie Krajewski. (contributed photos)

by Aimee N. Lanteigne

The searing images of September 11, 2001, will not soon be forgotten by anyone who witnessed the sheer terror of that horrible day. But for some, today’s youth, they have no idea, no context, and no emotion connected to that day that forever changed how Americans live. But they need to know. There are a thousand good reasons why teaching history is so important, but in a nutshell, suffice it to say, “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” (Robert Heinlein)

Wyatt Kibbin and his mom, Allison, of the Maine National Guard. (contributed photos)

This year, China Middle School seventh and eighth graders learned their history…the details of what happened on 9/11, why it happened, the ensuing War on Terror, and the impact those two hours had on countless innocent lives. They discussed ways to prevent and combat hatred and misunderstandings. Perhaps most importantly, they took it upon themselves to give a little something back to those who gave the last full measure of devotion in the line of duty on 9/11.

Our students hosted a free car wash for First Responders and Veterans in honor of the 23rd anniversary of this tragedy. The support they received was overwhelming. Donations of soap, buckets, sponges, baked goods, and refreshments for our guests came pouring in. Every student made a personalized handmade card thanking them for their service be it in the fire department, the police department, or the military.

They made posters advertising the car wash and happily stood out in the school driveway waving and smiling and cheering any time a car or cruiser would pull into the school yard. They joyfully scurried like busy little bees to escort our guests to the food table, made sure they got a card and a treat, and then commenced spraying and soaping up the cars…perhaps the most fun of all. And before each officer or veteran left, the kids seemed to all shout in unison, “Thank you for your service!” Some of our students even went out of their way to shake hands with our guests and thank them personally.

The appreciation and smiles on their faces as they drove away was all these kids needed to know they had made a difference. It wasn’t a clean car, a cup of coffee, and a cupcake that made the difference. It was the kids’ smiles, their laughter, their joy, their pride in helping, and the simple fact that they had remembered…they had not forgotten. They may not have been alive when the Towers fell, when the planes and all souls aboard vaporized into thin air, or when the fear and darkness that overwhelmed us all that evening began to creep into our hearts. But they remembered. They took time to acknowledge the sacrifice of their brothers and sisters in service for what they lost that terrible day and in the years to follow.

That is how they made a difference.

That is how we keep history alive.

And that is how we can make beauty from ashes.

From left, Colton Oxley, Ellie Soule, and Layla Gunnison wash China Village firetruck. (contributed photos)

TEAM PHOTO: Lawrence girls soccer

Front row, from left to right, Kylie Delile, Eliza Gagnon, Taylor Hatt, Addisyn Smith, Amarie Sam, Sage Dugal and Rosabella Garza. Second row, Alex Young, Brook Pooler, McKayla Cole, Zoe Hutchins, Izabella White, Elizabeth Boutin and London Wilkie. Back row, Coach Mountain, Taylor Pellerin, Leah Gallant, Madalyn Provost, Ella Minihan, Zoie Ward, Bianca Wright, Addison Lea, Coach Delile. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football grades 3 – 4

Front row, Brayden Reed, Landon Nalley, Jaxson George, Jackson-Davenport Coulombe, Kartyr Stevens, Dominic Odonnell, Paxton O’Clair, and Kayson Glidden. Second row, Wyatt Dickey, Jayden Bradley, Rylee Emery, Nyeim Warren, Owen Stevens, Cameron Ray, Owen Champagne, Jayceon Turbide and Grayson Lima. Back row, Coaches Chad Glidden, Jonathan Turbide, Ace Velazquez and Nick Champagne. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football 5th and 6th grade team

Front row, from left to right, Jaxon Troxell, Phoenix McLoy, Peyton Ross, Judah Young, Tristan Ware, Cole Bean, Carson Pinkham and Zekhi Alvarez. Middle row, Benjamin Veilleux, Jase Spaulding, Dylan Devlin, Evan Karter, Malakhi Klaiber, Isaac Chase, and Brody Ware. Back row, Gage Eldredge, Donovan Reynolds, Ender Coleman, Alexander Sheehan, Jayce Damron, and Connor Jones. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

EVENTS: Messalonskee girls soccer plans 9th annual Girls Youth Soccer Mentoring Day

Local girls participate in last year’s ShineOn Saturday. The 9th annual event connects 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 and remember former Eagle midfielder and youth mentor Cassidy Charette. The event is free to all interested girls, Pre-K to Grade 5, on Saturday, September 28, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Messalonskee High School Turf Field, in Oakland. To pre-register, visit shineoncass.org. (contributed photo)

by Monica Charette

(contributed photo)

Cassidy Charette (contributed photo)

Messalonskee High School Girls Soccer and the ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 9th annual girls’ youth mentoring day “ShineOn Saturday”, September 28, from noon to 2 p.m., on the Messalonskee High School Turf 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 an autographed team poster and a ShineOnCass wristband that earns them Cassidy’s favorite candy, Skittles, at home games and recognition at the Lady Eagles’ Homecoming game. Healthy snacks will be provided at the event.

To assist in planning, please pre-register at shineoncass.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

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.

(contributed photo)

(contributed photo)

Palermo Consolidated School receives American Heart Association grant for health resources

For the second year in a row, the American Heart Association’s school-based youth programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, has awarded Palermo Consolidated School a grant to support health resources. This year, the school received $2,199 for a Hands-on Healthy Kitchen/Cooking Mobile Unit. Over the past two years, the Association has provided the school with $4,699 in grants to help enrich the lives of their students and staff. The annual grant program supports schools by funding resources to extend school wellness programs.

“PE/health teacher Lisa Sturgis and the whole Palermo School community came out for a really fun after-school Kids Heart Challenge event with students, staff, and parents to raise awareness of heart disease, learn Hands-Only CPR, and have a good time. The fact they were awarded an American Heart Association grant was icing on the cake,” said Gary Urey, the Association’s Director of School Engagement, Maine.

The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, is helping educators make whole-body wellness a priority by bringing more resources to school campuses. Grant recipients are now able to expand their schools’ wellness offerings with additions such as physical activity equipment, water bottle filling stations and educator training opportunities on their campuses. The application process was open to all schools who participated in the school-based programs in the 2023-2024 school year.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, only 20 percent of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations.

Both the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge are rooted in proven science, which has shown that kids who are regularly active have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.

In addition to physical health, the benefits of physical activity for children include improved grades, school attendance and classroom behavior. Physical activity can also help kids feel better, improve mental health, build self-esteem and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Funds raised by Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association’s scientific research and outreach programs, paving the way for improved health outcomes for healthier communities.

Schools are encouraged to register now for 2024-2025 school year. The program provides grant funding twice a year, mid-school year and year end, to provide resources in real time to students. The application for the next round of grants is December 15th if the school completes the Kids Heart Challenge by December. If not, they can apply for the second round of grants by May 31st if their school is participating in the program during the second half of the school year.

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s kid’s initiatives, or to make a donation, please visit www.heart.org/kids. To find out how to get your school involved, contact Gary Urey, the Association’s School Engagement Director for Maine, at Gary.Urey@heart.org.