Erskine Academy’s Paige Reed named America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022

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Paige Reed, front, surrounded by cheerleading coaches, from left to right, Tarsha Donar, Julie Wing and Amy Rau. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Amy Rau

Varsity Brands, the national driving force behind cheerleading’s transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, has named Erskine Academy senior Paige Reed America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022. The award program celebrates schools, organizations, and individuals that go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement, and community spirit, and carries with it a $3,000 cash prize.

Reed’s classmates voted her as “most school spirited” earlier in the year, recognizing her love for Erskine Academy and its community of students, faculty, and staff.

Reed, of Vassalboro, was nominated for Varsity Brands’ award by her cheerleading coaches Amy Rau and Julie Wing, and her school advisor Shara MacDonald. The nominators penned the required 500-word essay, solicited letters of recommendation, and gathered “spirited photos” of Reed in action.

On June 1, Reed joined other finalists from across the country for a virtual awards presentation, viewed by Rau, Wing, and MacDonald, who were anxiously awaiting results. The three fought back the tears when hearing Reed named Varsity Brands’ Most Spirited Student in America, and accepting the award on her behalf, as she could not accept it while recovering from a stem cell transplant as part of her battle with a second bout of leukemia. Early in the school year and following a 12-year remission, the Reed family and Erskine community were shocked yet united by the resurgence of leukemia affecting Paige. Subsequently, Reed endured several months of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and stem cell transplant with cells donated by her hero brother, Seth.

Paige and her journey, entitled Paige Power, became well known by the outpouring of support and good will through fundraisers, benefits, and gatherings, particularly within the cheerleading and basketball communities, all worthy yet bittersweet. “It is a welcome change to be in the news at this time to celebrate the positive for Paige,” said cheerleading coach and nominator Rau.

Paige is currently home from Boston and recovering well. Coach Wing was able to Facetime her about the award, and with the news, she was back to her sassy, fierce teenage self. The entire EA community cannot wait until she is well enough for visitors and when she returns to her friends and teachers in her special and favorite place, Erskine Academy.

WINSLOW: Class C track state champions

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Class C track state champions: The Winslow boys outdoor track state class C champions. Front row, from left to right, Coach Jennifer Pellerin, Talon Loftus, Levi Olin, Zackery St. Pierre, Justin Rogers and Braden Rioux. Middle row, Coach Kyle Duelley, Owen Schuchardt, Samuel Schmitt, Coach Kenneth Nadeau, Evan Watts, Ryan Martin, Ryan Yang, and Aidan Warme. Back row Dominique Daigneault, Matthew Reynolds, Antoine Akoa, Stephen Spencer, Allan Rogers, Brady Goodwin, Andre Morin and Joseph Richards. (contributed photo)

PHOTO: The 2022 Waterville Dodgers Minors baseball team

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Waterville Dodgers Minors: The 2022 Waterville Dodgers Minors baseball team, front to back, from left to right. Evan Ouellette, Porter Siegers, Jayden Bradley, Chase Reynolds, Judah Young, Alex Sheehan, Tatum Vaughan, Jayce Damron, Xander Wild, Jaxon Troxell. Back, coaches: Jason Sheehan, Matt Vaughan, and Dan Siegers. Absent from the photo is Jackson Ferrand, Hudson Ferrand and coaches Dennis Troxell and Alexander Wild. (photo by Mark Huard/ Central Maine Photography)

Kaitlin Dixon Named to D&E president’s list

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Kaitlin Dixon, of Solon, a student at Davis & Elkins College, in Elkins West Virginia, has been named to the president’s list for the spring 2022 semester. The president’s list includes all full-time students with a 4.0 GPA for the semester.

Oakland resident receives degree from Simmons University

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Katiann Carey, of Oakland, earned a bachelor of arts degree, in economics, cum laude, from Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Erskine Academy announces top ten seniors, class of 2022

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Top row, left to right: Mackenzie Roderick, Aidan Larrabee, Hannah Soule, Lily Vinci, Samantha Golden.
Bottom row: Emily Clark, Grace Hodgkins, Devon Polley, Grace Kelso, Riley Reitchel.

Erskine Academy, in South China, has announced the Class of 2022 Top Ten Seniors.

Valedictorian is Mackenzie Roderick, daughter of Melissa Vail, of Augusta, and Mike Roderick, of China. Throughout her four years at Erskine, Mackenzie has participated in such activities as Student Council, National Honor Society, the EA Leadership Team, math team, soccer, basketball, and she has completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Mackenzie is a four-year honor roll recipient and has received awards of distinction in Spanish, statistics, and calculus, and she has been a Senior of the Trimester award recipient. Mackenzie is also a Maine Principal’s Association Award recipient, a George Eastman Young Leaders Award recipient, and has served as President of the Class of 2022. Mackenzie plans to attend the University of Southern Maine to study Biology.

Salutatorian is Aidan Larrabee, son of Carrie and Jeremy Larrabee, of China. Aidan has participated in such activities as Student Council, National Honor Society, math team, Youth in Government, the EA Leadership Team, Future Business Leaders of America, soccer, wrestling, and basketball. Aidan has also served as Vice President of the Class of 2022, and he has completed over 200 hours of community service projects. A student who has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, Aidan was the recipient of awards of excellence in English, pre-calculus, social studies, biology, U.S. History, French, and physical education. In addition, Aidan has also been a recipient of the Rensselaer Medal and Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Aidan plans to attend Texas A & M to study Petroleum Engineering.

Third in academic standing is Hannah Soule, daughter of Amanda and Jamie Soule, of Fairfield. Hannah is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as EA Theater, Future Business Leaders of America, AFS (Erskine’s cultural awareness group), LEO Club, the EA Leadership Team, and field hockey. In addition, Hannah has completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Hannah has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, is a Smith Book Award recipient, and has been a recipient of Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Hannah plans to attend Columbus State University to major in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration.

Fourth in academic standing is Lily Vinci, daughter of Melody and Anthony Vinci, of Palermo. Lily has participated in such activities as AFS (Erskine’s cultural awareness group), cross country, indoor track, track & field, and tennis. Lily has also completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Lily has received awards of distinction in Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2, and chemistry, and she has achieved four year honor roll status. In addition, Lily was the recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Award. Lily plans to take a gap year to pursue employment and travel opportunities.

Fifth in academic standing is Samantha Golden, daughter of Jane and Richard Golden, of China. Samantha is a member of National Honor Society and has been a participant of HOPE (Helping Others Persevere at Erskine), soccer, and basketball. Samantha has also completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Samantha has received awards of excellence in U.S. history and is a four-year honor roll recipient. Samantha plans to attend Clark University with a major in Biology.

Sixth in academic standing is Emily Clark, daughter of Stacy and Christopher Clark, of China. Emily is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as HOPE (Helping Others Persevere at Erskine), soccer, basketball, and she has participated in a variety of community service activities. Emily has received awards of excellence in Integrated Science and PreCalculus, is a four year honor roll recipient, and received the SWE Certification of Merit. Emily plans to attend Endicott College with a major in nursing.

Seventh in academic standing is Grace Hodgkin, daughter of Helen Edmonds and Dana Hodgkin, of Manchester. Grace is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as EA Theater, Student Council, yearbook, tennis, and she has served as a class officer. Grace is also a four-year honor roll recipient. Grace plans to major in biology at the University of Maine.

Eighth in academic standing is Devon Polley, son of Hillary and Stephen Polley, of Vassalboro. Devon has been a member of the soccer and tennis teams and he has completed a variety of community service projects. Devon has received honor roll distinction every trimester, and he has received an award of excellence in physics. Devon was also the recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. Devon plans to attend the University of Maine with a major in Mechanical Engineering.

Ninth in academic standing is Grace Kelso, daughter of Storm and Bradley Kelso, of Vassalboro. Grace is a member of National Honor Society, and she has participated in such activities as debate team, Youth in Government, AFS (Erskine’s cultural awareness group), swim, tennis, and she has completed over 300 hours of community service projects. Grace has also received high honor roll distinction every trimester, has received awards of excellence in English, German, and debate, and she has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Grace plans to major in International Relations at the University of Edinburgh.

Tenth in academic standing is Riley Reitchel, daughter of Danielle and Richard Reitchel, of Palermo. Riley is a member of National Honor Society and has participated in such activities as LEO Club, the EA Leadership Team, the EA International Outreach Coalition, soccer, indoor track, and she has completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Riley has earned honor roll status every trimester, and she has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Riley plans to major in Linguistics at the University of Southern Maine.

VCS names three new staff

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

At a short special meeting June 6, Vassalboro School Board members hired three new staff members, Chairman Kevin Levasseur reported.

Joining the Vassalboro Community School staff are assistant principal Tabitha Brewer, SLP (speech-language pathologist) Madison Morneault and school counselor Gina Davis.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.

Allison Pease receives full tuition scholarship at KVCC

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Ten Maine community college students were awarded full tuition scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. The students were celebrated Monday, May 23, 2022, in an online event with Gorman family members and L.L.Bean leadership.

This is the seventh year the Leon A. Gorman Scholarship has been given. The scholarship supports three students at Southern Maine Community College, two students at Central Maine Community College, and one student at the other five colleges. Each of the ten Leon A. Gorman Scholars will receive an award equal to a full year of tuition at a Maine community college.

Among the 2022 Leon A. Gorman Scholars recipients was Allison Pease, of Belgrade, studying as a physical therapist assistant, at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield.

Information about the Maine Community College System is available at: www.mccs.me.edu.

Local residents named to Simmons University dean’s list

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The following local students were named to the 2021 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts. To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

Allyson Cunningham, of Augusta; Kaili Shorey, of Vassalboro, Abigail Bloom, of Waterville, and Maddie Beckwith, of Winslow.

Area student named to Caldwell University dean’s list

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Brooke Martin, of Oakland, was among 663 students named to Caldwell University’s fall 2021 dean’s list, in Caldwell, New Jersey, according to Peter Ubertaccio, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs at the University. In order to achieve this honor, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and complete at least 12 credits during the semester.