Jefferson’s Hailey Milliken graduates valedictorian at Maine Connection Academy

Hailey Milliken

Hailey Milliken, a 12th grader from Jefferson, was Valedictorian for last week’s graduation ceremony for Maine Connections Academy, the state’s online charter school.

The in-person ceremony took place on June 3, at Thompson’s Point, in Portland. Milliken will be attending Boston University in the fall, majoring in media science in the College of Communication. Originally from Maine, Milliken lived in many places and attended many schools before joining Maine Connections Academy in 2020.

In her speech to her fellow classmates, Milliken said “Just a few months ago, the idea of speaking in front of a crowd, live, like this, seemed impossible. But here we are. The opportunities and flexibility offered here, at a true online school, have allowed me to thrive. What we are seeing all around is that the current educational system is in desperate need of a renovation. And MCA is one step ahead. And being one step ahead takes you to great places, so: stay one step ahead!”

Milliken took AP courses in literature, calculus and microeconomics—in her own words, “I’m a big reader, I do a lot of writing as well, and I’m really into journalism.” In her opinion, “Online school is the future of education. We were all thrown into it because of COVID but now we see that it can work. More and more students are learning at their own pace, and it’s perfect for diverse learners. Maine Connections Academy really knows how to do it.”

Now in its seventh year, Maine Connections Academy is Maine’s first statewide, tuition-free, online public school for students in grades 7-12.

PHOTO: 2021 Winslow Minors baseball team

The Winslow Minors 2021 baseball team, front, Quincy Nesbitt, left, and Kallan Oakes. Middle, Caden Canavin, Cooper Grant, Rusty Vigue, Elliott Refuse and Tyler Fisher. Back row, Jace Poulin, Frank Farnham, Cameron Beaster, Kevin Hendsbee, Ben Fisher and Austin Pomerleau. (photo by Missy Brown/Central Maine Photography)

PHOTO: Winslow Majors softball team

The Winslow Majors softball team members, left to right, Bill Cochran, assistant coach, Bella Loubier, Madison Cochran, Kierstyn Glidden, Cassie Chartrand, Allison Turbovsky, Callen Pooler, Emily Daigneault, John Lombard, assistant coach, Adriana Lombardi, Kelty Pooler and Kelly Daignault, head coach. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

PHOTO: Vassalboro Black T-Ball team

The Vassalboro Black T-Ball team members, Front row, left to right, Mason Hardy, Ava Fiser and Madelyne Hanson, Back, Coach Justin Hardy, Lance Curtis, Abby Marden and Colton Fletcher. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Adrian Hoyt KVCC student of the year

Adrian Hoyt

Adrian Hoyt, of Benton, has been chosen as the 2021 Students of the Year at Kennebec Valley Com­munity College, in Fairfield.

A recording of the presentation will be available on the MCCS YouTube channel.

Seven students statewide were selected at their respective college for their academic success and their campus and community involvement. In addition to being named Student of the Year, each student received a John and Jana Lapoint Leadership Award in the amount of $1,000. The Lapoints both served as trustees of the Maine Community College System. After John’s death in 1995, Jana Lapoint helped establish the fund for the annual awards.

“Our students are well educated and have demonstrated in many ways their commitment to their college, their communities and their families,” Lapoint said.

EVENTS: Permaculture in the Park begins new season

Ecology Learning Center (photo: Unity College)

Plant Giveaway and Permaculture Bed Building will kick off the Permaculture in the Park series at the Ecology Learning Center CommUNITY programming in partnership with the Unity Barn Raisers. The initial session will be held on Sunday, May 16, at 11 a.m., at Triplet Park, Wood Lane, in Unity. This month will feature learning permaculture gardening techniques such as building swales for water catchment, hugelkultur for using organic landscape debris, etc.

June will feature hot weather crop planting. July will be garden maintenance and August will cover harvesting.

There is a suggested donation of $15. RSVP at https://www.ecologylearningcenter.org/workshops.

EVENTS: St. Michael Walk-a-Thon rescheduled

Travis Mills, center, and students of St. Michael School, in Augusta, make preparations for the annual walk-a-thon. (contributed photo)

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the annual St. Michael School and Travis Mills Walk-A-Thon, originally scheduled for May 5, will now be held on Wednesday, May 19. Pledges and donations will continue to be accepted through May 19. For more information about the event, email jennsparda1@gmail.com or legalboxerz@hotmail.com.

In addition to the running, walking and activities, students will be collecting items to donate to military service members stationed away from their families, writing thank you notes to our service members, and creating flags to hang up for the day of the event.”

Mills, a retired United States Army Staff Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne, is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device during his third tour in Afghanistan in 2012.

All proceeds from the walk-a-thon benefit the school and the Travis Mills Foundation.

Carrabec High School announces top 10 seniors for 2021

Clockwise from top left: Sarah Olson, Mikayla Oliver, Jasmyne Coombs, Andrew Davis, Ethan Johnson, Chantelle LaCroix, Elizabeth Manzer, Autumn Morrill, Courtney Peabody, Anastasia Quimby.

Sarah Olson, Carrabec’s Valedictorian, is a student who is a role model in our school. With a grade point average of 101.18 she has completed four advanced placement classes, seven honors classes and five dual enrollment classes.

Sarah is a student who is quiet and accomplishes a lot behind the scenes. She is hard working and will be successful in any endeavor she chooses to pursue. Sarah will be attending Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire. Sarah is the daughter of Kirt and Laurie Olson, of Solon.

Mikayla Oliver, Carrabec’s Salutatorian, is a very bright and successful student. Mikayla has a grade point average of 99.07, completing four advanced placement classes, seven honors classes, as well as, six dual enrollment classes.

Mikayla will be an asset to any organization to which she chooses to become a part. Mikayla will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington, majoring in psychology. Mikayla is the daughter of Lawrence and Renee Oliver, of Embden.

Jasmyne Coombs is the daughter of Aryke Tyrrell, of Solon, and Brian Coombs, of Solon. Jasmyne will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington for their secondary education program.

Andrew Davis is the son of Donna Davis, of New Portland. Andrew will be going into the U.S. Air Force.

Ethan Johnson is the son of Wayne and Kim Johnson, of Solon. Ethan will be continuing in the work force.

Chantelle LaCroix is the daughter of Kevin and Janet LaCroix, of Solon. Chantelle will be attending Husson University, in Bangor, majoring in physical therapy.

Elizabeth Manzer is the daughter of Angela Hawkins, of Anson, and Dean Manzer of Anson. Elizabeth will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, for their phlebotomy program.

Autumn Morrill is the daughter of Eric and Amanda Morrill, of Embden. Autumn will be attending the University of Maine at Orono for their animal and veterinary science program.

Courtney Peabody is the daughter of Robert and Carrie Peabody, of Solon. Courtney will be attending Plymouth State University, in Plymouth, New Hampshire, majoring in adventure education.

Anastasia Quimby is the daughter of Stacey Brown and Terry True, of Wellington. Anastasia will be attending Husson University, in Bangor.

Vassalboro Community School honor roll

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

GRADE 3

High honors: Aliyah Anthony, Zander Austin, Xainte Cloutier, Twila Cloutier, Dekan Dumont, Mariah Estabrook, Riley Fletcher, Camden Foster, Sarina LaCroix, Jade Lopez, Cassidy Rumba and CameronWillett.

Honors: Sophia Brazier, Samantha Carter, Grace Clark, Kaylee Colfer, Samantha Craig, Wyatt Devoe, Dawson Frazer, Peter Giampietro, Aubrey Gofroth, Lucian Kinrade, Landon Lagasse, Addison Neagle, Austin Pease, Olivia Perry, Juliahna Rocque, Isaiah Smith, Bryce Sounier and Haven Trainor. Honorable mention:m Lukas Blais, Chanse Hartford, Isaac Leonard, Arianna Muzerolle, Kaylee Pease and Elliott Rafuse.

GRADE 4

High honors: Emily Clark, Keegan Clark, Basil Dillaway, Fury Frappier, Baylee Fuchswanz, Allyson Gilman, Lillyana Krastev, Kaitlyn Lavallee, Cheyenne Lizzotte, Elizabeth Longfellow, Mia McLean, Elliot McQuarrie, Agatha Meyer, Randel Phillips and Grace Tobey.

Honors: Caylie Buotte, Kaleb Charlebois, Ariyah Doyen, Gabriella Duarte, Isadora Duarte, Zoe Gaffney, Jack LaPierre, Mackenzy Monroe, Emma Robbins and Ava Woods. Honorable mention: Mason Brewer, Harlen Fortin, Kaylee Moulton, Weston Pappas and Naseem Umar.

GRADE 5

High honors: Benjamin Allen, Tristyn Brown, Dylan Dodge, Jasmine Garey, Drew Lindquist, Caleb Marden Paige Perry, Brooke Reny, Judson Smith, Alana Wade, and Reid Willett.

Honors: Logan Cimino, Jennah Dumont, Ryleigh French, Drake Goodie, Cooper Lajoie, Brandon Neagle, Ryder Neptune-Reny, Trinity Pooler, Abigail Prickett, Landon Sullivan, Leigha Sullivan, Jannah Tobey and William Traynor. Honorable mention: Grayson Atwood, Zoey DeMerchant, Zachary Kinrade, Katherine Maxwell and Jade Travers.

GRADE 6

High honors: Sophie Day, Ryley Desmond, Madison Field, Adalyn Glidden, Bailey Goforth and Bryson Stratton.

Honors: Madison Burns, Emma Charleson, Eilah Dillaway, Wyatt Ellis, Kylie Grant, Olivia Leonard, Jack Malcolm, Josslyn Ouellette, Mackenzie Oxley, Natalie Rancourt and Taiya Rankins. Honorable mention: Tyler Clark, Tallulah Cloutier,
Colby Frith, and Caspar Hooper

GRADE 7

High honors: Emily Almeida, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Mylee Petela and Hannah Polley.

Honors: Quinn Coull, Madison Estabrook, Aiden Hamlin, Taylor Neptune and Leahna Rocque. Honorable mention: Saunders Chase, Mason Decker, Lilian Piecewicz and Addison Witham.

GRADE 8

High honors: Brooke Blais, Sofia Derosby, Allison Dorval, Kaylene Glidden, Ava Kelso, Greta Limberger and Ava Picard.

Honors: Brady Desmond, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Brandon Hanscom, Kaelyn Pappas, Seth Picard and Emma Waterhouse. Honorable mention: Landen Blodgett and Kenneth Fredette.

Carrabec High School third quarter honor roll

Carrabec High School

GRADE 12

High honors: Jasmyne Coombs, Andrew Davis, Natalynn Deuble, Adam Lawrence, Autumn Morrill, Mikayla Oliver, Sarah Olson and Courtney Peabody.

Honors:  Logen Faucett, Ethan Johnson, Chantelle LaCroix, Elizabeth Manzer, Anastasia Quimby, Kyra Roderick and Adria Schinzel.

GRADE 11

High honors:   Emma Baker, Abigayle Ballard, Roger Beaulieu, Cheyenne Cahill, Shyanne Holmes and Courtney Rollins.

Honors: Elijah Canales, Xavier Cloutier, Charlee Davis, Tyler Edwards, Sean Olson, Seth Sayles, Brandon Smith, Cassidy Smith, Devon Spencer, Brooke Welch, Garrett Wilson and Ethan Wyman.

GRADE 10

High honors:  Luke Carey.

Honors: Jessica Benedict, Lindsay Hamilton, Robert Lindblom, Jr., Gabriella Manzer, William Price II, Isabella Slate, Hunter Sousa and Faith Willette.

GRADE 9

High honors:  Kolby Carpenter, Cooper Dellerma and Brooke-Alexis Dube.

Honors: Alex Briggs, Jayden Cates, Riley Crocker, Devyn DeLeonardis, Trevor Donahue, Emma Junkins, Summer Lindblom, Dillon Nelson and Jordyn Plourd.