Madison Area Memorial High School announces top 10 seniors

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Madison Area Memorial High School (photo: JMG)

The following are the top 10 seniors in the Madison Area High School’s class of 2020.

Katrina Barney – Daughter of Anna Zabrock, of Madison, and Jody Barney, of Sidney. Plans to attend University of New England to major in medical biology – pre-med track.

Shelby Belanger – Daughter of Lindsay Cool, of Madison, and Peter Belanger, of Madison. Shelby plans to attend the University of Maine in Orono for chemical engineering. Shelby is the Salutatorian for the Class of 2020.

Olivia Clough – Daughter of Scott and Jennifer Clough, of Madison. Olivia plans to attend Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, for health sciences – nursing.

Emily Edgerly – Daughter of Michael and Nicole Edgerly, of Madison. Emily plans on attending the University of Maine in Orono for communication sciences / speech disorders.

Grace Linkletter – Daughter of Matthew and Bethany Linkletter, of Athens. Grace plans to attend Aveda Institute for Cosmetology.

Lucy Perkins – Daughter of William and Sandra Perkins, of Madison. Lucy plans to attend the University of Maine at Farmington for elementary educaiton and music. Lucy is the Valadictorian for the Class of 2020.

Luke Perkins – Son of William and Sandra Perkins, of Madison. Luke plans to attend the University of Maine in Orono for parks, recreation and tourism / forestry.

Isabella Petrey – Daughter of Roy and step-mom Kimberlee Petrey, of Madison. Isabella plans to attend the University of Maine at Farmington to study secondary education with a concentration in social sciences.

Skyelar Pollis – Daughter of James Pollis, of Madison, and Kristy Hilton, of Mercer. Skyelar plans to attend Thomas College, in Waterville, for sports management with a concentration in marketing.

Kathryn Worthen – Daughter of Vernon and Cindy Worthen, of Mercer. Kathryn plans to attend Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, for liberal studies/general education.

It’s graduation season for area high schools

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Graduates from Lawrence High School celebrating with their parade. (photo by Tawni Lively.)

by Roland D. Hallee

Hallee Brunette, left, and Colby Quinlan, celebrate following their graduation ceremony at Waterville High School. (contributed photo)

Typically, the first two weeks of June is the graduation season in central Maine. This year was no different, except that due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, things were done a little differently.

In Winslow, their graduation was held on June 10.

The graduates and parents participated in a procession of cars around the high school with fire and police vehicles leading the way. Supporters and well-wishers lined Danielson Street to celebrate the occasion.

Senior class secretary Riley Loftus and class president Jake Huesers both stressed the positives in their graduation addresses.
Both pressed the importance of what has happened over their collective school careers, and not to what the pandemic has taken away from them.

School principal Chad Bell also spoke about lessons graduates could take from this extraordinary experience. Bell emphasized he told seniors they would have a special graduation ceremony for them. The key points in his speech were about “positivity and perserverance.”

Bell was also impressed with the success that was achieved in pulling off this year’s graduation ceremony.

Above left, Winslow High School parade as it winds down Frankwood Drive, in Winslow. (photo by Kelley Bernard)

Following the distribution of diplomas, with students back in their vehicles, graduates were led in the traditional transferring of their respective tassels from one side of their caps to the other, signifying they were now Winslow High School alumni.

On the following evening, June 11, the Waterville High School seniors and their parents took to the streets of Waterville for an impressive parade from the high school to Central Maine Motors Chevrolet-Buick auto dealership, on Kennedy Memorial Drive, many in convertibles or standing through the vehicles’ sunroof, for their graduation festivities. Most of the students video recorded along the parade route. The motorcade left the high school, proceeded west on Western Avenue to the intersection with First Rangeway, where they turned left and headed south toward Kennedy Memorial Drive, horns honking, and the blaring sound of the sirens from Waterville police cars, fire trucks, including the ladder truck, and rescue unit. Supporters and other family members lined the parade route.

Upon arriving at the dealership, cars were lined up in the lot. Speakers included principal Brian Laramee, and the featured speaker, retiring faculty member Scott Rivard. With the formalities completed, seniors approached the stage in groups of 10, to receive their diplomas.

Again, being led by Class of 2020 president Lauren Pinnette, the graduates, in keeping with long time traditions, transferred their respective tassels from right to left, a symbol they were now Waterville High School alumni.

The final act of the night, which lent itself to a touching finish, came when all the faculty members lined both sides of the Airport Road, waving goodbye to their graduates.

The graduation was made possible through the generosity of Central Maine Motors owner Chris Gaunce and his family, and many volunteers.

Palermo student salutatorian for online school graduation ceremony

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Lindsey Childs, of Palermo, presenting salutatorian address with her favorite horse.

Maine Connections Academy (MCA), in Scarborough, the state’s first tuition-free, online charter school for grades 7-12, hosted its commencement ceremony online on June 8 to honor 77 students in its sixth class of graduating seniors. Lindsey Childs, of Palermo, was class Salutatorian.

Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person ceremony took place online, with all students and their families, as well as Maine Connections Academy faculty and staff, invited to attend. Childs will be attending the University of Maine at Orono this fall. She will have a double major in political science and sociology, with a concentration in crime, law and justice.

Her remarks as Salutatorian were notable in that Childs delivered them while standing next to her favorite horse. She focused on the presence of change in our lives: “We’re all going to have to make significant changes, and some of us don’t even know what to do with our lives. But change can be a positive, we can’t avoid it. The secret is to adapt to change.”

As an online school, Maine Connections Academy students learn from wherever there is an Internet connection across all of Maine’s 16 counties. This online graduation was simply one more way of collaborating together. With families and friends, Maine Connections Academy students, “walked across the stage,” and showed each other meaningful images and words to capture their time together at the online school. Four Maine Connections Academy teachers acted as MCs throughout the online ceremony.

Maine Connections Academy is now in its sixth year. Students come from all across Maine and choose online school for many reasons, including wanting a safe environment, the ability to work faster or slower than their peers, flexibility in terms of scheduling, and more. Maine Connections Academy offers students an award-winning online curriculum and the opportunity to work closely with certified teachers using detailed daily lesson plans that can be personalized to meet individual student needs. Maine Connections Academy is currently enrolling up to 429 students for the 2020-21 school year on a first-come, first-served basis—it is recommended that families interested in virtual school submit an application as soon as possible to avoid being waitlisted.

For more information about MCA, please call (207) 805-3254, or visit www.MaineConnectionsAcademy.com.

Dakota Bragg named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University

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Dakota Bragg, of Anson, a senior majoring in civil engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the spring 2020 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Vassalboro school board approves tentative plans for rest of year

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Vassalboro Community School. (source: jmg.org)

by Mary Grow

At their May 19 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members approved plans, some tentative, for the remainder of this school year, the summer and the next school year, on topics from education to lunch prices to a new telephone system.

Many decisions assumed that students and staff will return to classrooms in late August 2020. Vassalboro Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer emphasized that he and other superintendents spend a lot of time monitoring constantly-changing state and federal pandemic information and guidelines. He hopes Vassalboro Community School (VCS) will re-open before Labor Day 2020, but he offered no guarantee.

VCS Principal Megan Allen said distance learning continues for the rest of this school year. Teachers completed parent-teacher conferences, she said. An important current project is defining parts of course content that have been short-changed by lack of classroom time, so they can be emphasized in the fall.

As the end of the school year approaches, staff have cleaned out students’ lockers and bagged the contents to be picked up. A virtual eighth-grade graduation, probably in the form of a video for students and parents to share, is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2. On Friday, June 5, the last day of classes, Allen and staff are working on arrangements for a parade that will pass as many students’ home as possible.

Allen said volunteers will continue to assemble meals to be delivered by bus through June 4. Beginning Monday, June 8, interim food service director Paula Pooler said the summer meal program will provide van delivery of meals to pick-up points.

In preparation for the hoped-for reopening, school board members unanimously approved a 10-cent increase in the full price of a school lunch, from $2.85 to $2.95, effective in the fall. Pooler explained that under the federal education department’s formula, Vassalboro should be charging $3. Vassalboro officials are allowed to reach the required level in 10-cent steps. Failure to comply would mean a reduced federal subsidy for the lunch program.

Board members accepted the recommendation to spend $20,392 for an upgrade of the phone system, including updating what Technology Coordinator Will Backman calls its brain and buying new handsets compatible with the improved brain. Pfeiffer said the money will come from the current year’s budget, specifically from anticipated savings due to the shut-down this spring.

The board approved a 2020-21 school calendar that has classes starting Wednesday, Aug. 26. Staff will hold preschool preparatory workshops Aug. 24 and Aug. 25.

Pfeiffer reported he had signed the contract to share in a solar energy project under development in Skowhegan (in which the Town of Vassalboro is also participating). Attorney Aga Dixon advised him to expect no immediate follow-up, because the project developers are waiting for other municipalities and schools to decide whether to join.

After previous discussions, board members approved buying into the solar development to reduce electricity costs. The project is currently expected to begin providing power early in 2021 and to run for at least 25 years.

Pfeiffer reminded board members that Vassalboro’s annual town meeting, at which voters will decide on the 2020-21 school budget among other items, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday evening, June 22. Voters will assemble at VCS. Pfeiffer, town officials and others are planning safely-spaced seating and other precautions.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 16, and is expected to be a virtual meeting.

Erskine Academy announces top 10 seniors Class of 2020

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Erskine 2020 top ten seniors, from left to right, TOP: Sarah Jarosz, Hunter Praul, Miina Raag-Schmidt, Summer Hotham, Lyndsie Pelotte; BOTTOM: Ben Lavoie, Lucy Allen, Jordan Linscott, Dominic Smith, Richard Winn.

Valedictorian is Sarah Jarosz

Erskine Academy has announced the Class of 2020 Top Ten Seniors.

Valedictorian is Sarah Jarosz, daughter of Karen and James Jarosz, of Fairfield. Throughout her four years at Erskine, Sarah has participated in such activities as National Honor Society, LEO Club, Student Council, the HOPE Club (Helping Others Persevere at Erskine), Tennis, Prom Committee, and she has completed nearly 150 hours of community service projects. Sarah has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, awards of excellence in the areas of English, Social Studies, French, US History, and PreCalculus, and she is a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award recipient. In addition, Sarah also received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award and she is a Maine Principal’s Association Award recipient. Sarah plans to attend Colby College, in Waterville, to study mathematics and dance.

Salutatorian is Hunter Praul, son of Erika and Darryl Praul, of China. Hunter is a member of National Honor Society and he has participated in such activities as AFS (American Field Service), Chess Club, the EA Theater Club, and he has completed 150 hours of community service projects. A student who has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, Hunter has received awards of excellence in the areas of English and Physics, and he has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Hunter plans to attend the University of Maine where he will major in biology.

Third in academic standing is Miina Raag-Schmidt, daughter of Tarja Raag and Michael Schmidt, of Vassalboro. Miina is a member of such activities as the EA Theater Club, Math Team, the Breakfast Book Club, and the Gay/Straight/Transgender Alliance (GSTA) Club. Miina has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, awards of excellence in the areas of English, Spanish, and Advanced Art, and she has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Miina plans to attend Lesley University with an undeclared major.

Fourth in academic standing is Summer Hotham, daughter of Heide and Charles Hotham, of Palermo. Summer is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as the EA Leadership Team, Yearbook, Prom Committee, Soccer, Basketball, and Softball, and she has completed over 300 hours of community service projects. Summer is a four year high honor roll student, she has received awards of excellence in English, Spanish, and Health, and she has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Summer plans to attend Thomas College to pursue studies in the area of accounting.

Fifth in academic standing is Lyndsie Pelotte, daughter of Shasta and Jerad Pelotte, of China. Lyndsie is a member of National Honor Society and she has been a participant of Student Council, the EA Leadership Team, the LEO Club, Prom Committee, and she has completed nearly 220 hours of community service projects. Lyndsie was a recipient of the SWE Certificate of Merit, she has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, she has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards, and she has received awards of excellence in Integrated Science and French. Lyndsie plans to attend Studio School Los Angeles with a major in commercial dance.

Sixth in academic standing is Benjamin Lavoie, son of Nina and Louis Lavoie, of Winthrop. Ben is a member of the Breakfast Book Club, the Cooking Club, and the Speech and Debate Team. Ben has received high honor roll distinction, awards of excellence in Algebra 2 and Chemistry, and he has received a Renaissance Recognition award. Ben plans to attend The Culinary Institute of America with a major in culinary science.

Seventh in academic standing is Lucy Allen, daughter of Shirley and Patrick Allen, of Windsor. Lucy is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as the EA Theater Club, LEO Club, the EA Leadership Team, Prom Committee, Field Hockey, Tennis, and she has completed over 200 hours of community service projects. Lucy was a recipient of the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, she has received four year high honor roll distinction and awards of excellence in Spanish and Clay, and she has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Lucy plans to major in brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester.

Eighth in academic standing is Jordan Linscott, daughter of Susan and Thomas Linscott, of Windsor. Jordan is a member of National Honor Society and she has been a participant of Student Council, the LEO Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Soccer, Basketball, and Lacrosse, and she has completed over 200 hours of community service projects. Jordan has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, and she has received awards of excellence in Algebra 1 and Watercolors. Jordan plans to attend the University of Maine with a major in biology.

Ninth in academic standing is Dominic Smith, son of Katrina and Dan Jackson, of Whitefield. Dominic has participated in such activities as the EA Theater Club, Robotics, the Breakfast Book Club, and Youth in Government. Dominic is a Rensselaer Medal recipient, he has received honor roll distinction every trimester as well as awards of excellence in Algebra 1, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Algebra 2, German, PreCalculus, US History, and Calculus, and he has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Dominic plans to major in computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Tenth in academic standing is Richard Winn, son of Jamie and Jason Winn, of China. Richard is a member of the National Honor Society and he has participated in such activities as the EA Leadership Team, the LEO Club, Robotics, Prom Committee, and he has served as Class President for two years. Richard has earned honor roll status every trimester, and he has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Richard plans to major in medical biology at the University of New England.

Kyle McLain receives University of Nebraska-Lincoln degree

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Kyle Alvin McLain, of Fairfield, was among 3,417 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in Lincoln, Nebraska, during a virtual graduation celebration May 9.

McLain earned a master of science degree from the Office of Graduate Studies.

The celebration can be viewed at https://commencement.unl.edu.

Diplomas will be mailed to graduates.

Carrabec High School announces top 10 seniors class of 2020

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Carrabec High School top seniors, 3-10, from top left: Cassidy Ayotte, Ashley Cates, Caitlin Crawford, Shay Cyrway; from bottom left: Olivia Fortier, Madison Jaros, Mary-Jenna Oliver, Abby Richardson.

Carrabec announces class of 2020 honor parts

Valedictorian:

Annika Carey

Annika Carey, Carrabec’s Valedictorian, is a student who is a role model and strong leader in our school. With a grade point average of 101.41, she has completed five Advanced Placement classes, plus three additional AP exams without taking the course, six honors classes and three dual enrollment classes. Annika has also taken two independent advanced math courses.

Annika is a student who will be successful in any endeavor she chooses to pursue. Annika will be attending Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, majoring in mathematics. Annika is the daughter of Erik and Tanya Carey, of Embden.

Salutatorian:

Scott Mason

Scott Mason, Carrabec’s Saluta­torian, is a very bright and successful student. Scott has a grade point average of 99.54, completing four Advanced Placement classes, six honors classes, as well as, nine dual enrollment classes.

Scott will be an asset to any organization of which he chooses to become a part. Scott will be attending the University of Mount Olive, in North Carolina, majoring in exercise science. Scott is the son of Richard and Marie Mason, of Anson.

The remainder of the top 10, in alphabetical order (see photo above):

Cassidy Ayotte is the daughter of Tony and Stacey Ayotte, of North Anson. Cassidy will be continuing in the work force.

Ashley Cates is the daughter of Adam and Jessie Cates, of Embden. Ashley will be attending Husson University, in Bangor, and majoring in biology.

Caitlin Crawford is the daughter of Bobbi-Sue and Travis Harrington, of New Portland, and Josh Crawford, of North Anson. Caitlin will be attending the University of Southern Maine, in Gorham, major­ing in psychology.

Shay Cyrway is the son of Shawn and Jessica Cyrway, of Embden. Shay will be attending the University of Maine at Orono in their mechanical engineering program.

Olivia Fortier is the daughter of Irene Bolduc, of Skow­hegan, and Lee Fortier, of North Anson. Olivia will be attending Husson University, in Bangor, for their pre-law program.

Madison Jaros is the daughter of Richard and Brenda Jaros, of Embden. Madison will be attending the University of Maine at Orono for environmental science.

Mary-Jenna Oliver is the daughter of Derek and Michelle Oliver, of North Anson. Mary-Jenna will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington majoring in education.

Abby Richardson is the daughter of David and Sharon Richardson, of Anson. Abby will be attending St. Joseph’s College, in Standish, in their nursing program.

Vassalboro school board joins town to buy out-of-town solar power

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Vassalboro Community School. (source: jmg.org)

by Mary Grow

At a special meeting April 28, Vassalboro School Board members voted to join with town officials in a plan to buy solar power from an out-of-town development.

Board members had information and advice from attorney Aga Dixon, of Drummond Woodsum, who is acting for the school and town jointly. Selectman John Melrose attended the virtual school board meeting.

The main advantages cited were stabilizing electricity costs and saving around $11,000 a year – not a big part of an $8 million school budget, but over 25 years a substantial amount.

The main hesitation was over the length of the contract, 25 years with extensions that could bring it to 40 years. During that time there will be many technological changes, board member Jolene Gamage pointed out; Vassalboro might regret the commitment.

Melrose replied that many other Maine schools and municipalities are making similar arrangements.

“If we end up screwing up, we’ll have lots of company,” he said.

Gamage was not completely reassured, but she voted in favor of the plan.

Vassalboro selectmen have accepted the solar plan, subject to legal review. A final decision is on the agenda for their Thursday, April 30, virtual meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and can be viewed at vcsvikings.org under “Information.”

Superintendent to China selectboard: Local school budget to have minimal impact on taxes

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photo source: JMG.org

by Mary Grow

China selectmen got some good news and some encouraging news at their April 27 meeting. They also accepted Town Manager Dennis Heath’s offer to have town office staff develop background for reviewing China’s town meeting system, a potential discussion topic at their May 11 meeting.

The good news was from Regional School Unit (RSU) #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley: the 2020-21 school budget, as now proposed, will have a minimal impact on local taxes.

Gartley said China’s share of the RSU’s almost $40 million budget will be $5,048,702, an increase of $5,628.11. Those additional dollars will increase the mil rate (tax rate for each $1,000 of valuation) by 0.11 percent, Gartley said, “almost a flat budget.”

Voters from the five RSU #18 towns (Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney) will approve the budget at the annual open meeting scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, at Messalonskee High School, in Oakland. The decision made that evening will be subject to ratification by written ballot in each town; voting is scheduled for July 14, along with the state referendum and primary elections.

The encouraging news is that selectmen approved a plan for gradually reopening town services. However, the reopening date is undetermined and out of the town’s control. The plan is to be implemented after Gov. Janet Mills lifts the state-wide stay-at-home order and in accordance with Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

During discussion of the delayed resumption of recycling at the transfer station, Heath said environmentally concerned residents may add recyclables to the trash they put in the hopper, because at the Fiberight facility recyclables are separated and sold or reused. Recyclables put in the hopper will not be landfilled, he emphasized.

China gets no revenue from recyclables that Fiberight processes. Once recycling can resume without possible danger to transfer station employees, the manager expects China will again earn money from recyclables.

Selectman Janet Preston proposed the discussion of China’s town meeting format, which covered two topics: whether to eliminate the requirement for a quorum (currently 118 voters) at the annual open town meeting, and whether to eliminate the open meeting altogether and replaced it with written-ballot decisions.

Board members offered arguments on both sides of both issues.

Eliminating the quorum requirement would make it easier to hold an open meeting; but it would allow an even smaller minority of voters to make decisions for the whole town.

Eliminating the open meeting would probably encourage more participation, by giving people the option to vote at their convenience during the day; but it would make it harder for voters to get information on ballot questions. Heath said before a written ballot there would be at least two informational meetings that voters could choose to attend.

The selectmen accepted Heath’s offer to explore with town office staff the possibility of changing from an open meeting to a written ballot.

Eliminating the quorum or changing from an open meeting would each require voter approval.

The April 27 meeting was virtual, broadcast and archived at the China website. The May 11 meeting is likely to be virtual as well.